Oldsmobile Silhouette Reliability
1,277 NHTSA complaints (1990–2004). Complaint rate: 22017.2 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1997–2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The 2004 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 80 | 0.0% |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 66 | 1.5% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 56 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 50 | 2.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 48 | 2.1% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 46 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 33 | 0.0% |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 30 | 0.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 28 | 17.9% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 25 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | — | 68 | 1 | 4 | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 57 | 5 | 2 | View 1991View→ |
| 1992GOOD | — | 29 | 1 | — | View 1992View→ |
| 1993GOOD | — | 24 | 1 | 4 | View 1993View→ |
| 1994 | — | 43 | 3 | 4 | View 1994View→ |
| 1995 | — | 60 | 7 | 2 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996GOOD | — | 24 | 0 | — | View 1996View→ |
| 1997AVOID | — | 155 | 6 | — | View 1997View→ |
| 1998AVOID | — | 225 | 7 | — | View 1998View→ |
| 1999AVOID | — | 186 | 11 | 4 | View 1999View→ |
| 2000AVOID | — | 139 | 3 | 4 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001AVOID | — | 113 | 10 | 3 | View 2001View→ |
| 2002AVOID | — | 102 | 1 | — | View 2002View→ |
| 2003 | — | 40 | 7 | — | View 2003View→ |
| 2004GOOD | — | 12 | 2 | — | View 2004View→ |
See also: Oldsmobile Silhouetteaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Oldsmobile Silhouette?
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