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1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

The most common problem on the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette is windows, wipers and visibility. It has fewer complaints than a typical Silhouette model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
36
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
26
Worst area
Visibility
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Visibility
    9
  • Electrical
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Airbags
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Tires
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Locks
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Seats
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Wipers 5

Recalls 4

Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and linesReported January 23, 1996 · 585,182 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles manufactured from august 1991 through july 1995. The transmission oil cooler line can separate when the vehicle is operated in low temperatures in combination with high transmission loads.
Risk
Vehicle fires can occur due to the spillage of transmission fluid.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the transmission oil cooler lines.

Recall number 96V015000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: webbingReported May 24, 1994 · 5,294 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The second row, right hand shoulder belt can become "pinched" between the seat and the door frame pillar trim. The shoulder belt may not retract properly, which does not comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the 1994 vehicles have an optional integral (built in) childseat installed next to the power sliding side door. The 1993 involved vehicles have standard seats in that same position.
Risk
Improper shoulder belt retraction does not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant in the event of a sudden stop or collision.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the door frame pillar trim panel with a redesigned trim panel. Also, a caution label will be applied to the child seat advising the owner not to install the seat to the passenger side of a vehicle with a power sliding side door.

Recall number 94V100000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: retractorReported January 21, 1994 · 22,862 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The third row safety belt retractors may be installed incorrectly and may lock-up when the vehicle is on slopes of less than 15 degrees, which does not comply with fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk
Consequence of non-compliance: passengers seated in these positon maybe unable to extract and fasten their seat belts until the vehicle is moved to a more level surface. Unbelted occupants are more at risk of injury in the event of a collision than those using safety belts.
Remedy
Dealers will remove third row safety belt retractors and reinstall them properly.

Recall number 94V015000 · Recall details

Seat belts: rear/otherReported December 13, 1993 · 1,238 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The safety belt retractors for the rear center position are missing a pawl spring and in case of an accident, will allow the safety belt webbing to extend beyond the minimum requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk
In the event of an accident the safety belt would notrestrain the occupant, subjecting the occupant to increased risk of injuries.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the safety belt retractor assembly and replace the retractor if the pawl spring is missing.

Recall number 93V212000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Defect investigations

Passenger side dash firesOpened December 9, 1995, closed April 10, 1996

There is no summary currently available

PE95062

Trnsaxl oil hose separatesOpened September 15, 1994, closed January 18, 1995

There is no summary currently available

PE94070

Technical service bulletins for the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette 26

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 26 bulletins for the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette

1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.1L 6‑cylFWD172118
3.8L 6‑cylFWD152318

What 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 26, 2013 · Body · 100,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that the frame separated from the insulator on the rear of the vehicle. The contact spoke with the manufacturer in regard to a technical service bulletin for the issue, but the manufacturer stated that the vehicle would not be repaired at their expense. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage and current mileages were 100,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2006 · Airbags · 186,000 miles · VA

I returned from columbus ohio a 650 mile trip and the air bag light never came on except for when I first turned the van on then it would go out. I parked the van in my drive way. July 18 tuesday 2006 I got in the van at 5:00 in the morning to go to work. Just as I turned the key the air bag deployed breaking my glasses. I called gm and talked to sarah. Her number at gm is 1‑866‑790‑5600 ex 10712. I told her of the problem asking her is gm could fix the air bag and replace my glasses. Today is monday july 24th 2006 and she called back telling me that gm wont do anything about the air bag nor the glasses. This is a safety issue and I feel that gm should address their problem. One day an air bag is going to deploy on someone and cause an accident. I was lucky it happened in my drive way. I have detailed notes with pictures if you want them.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Electrical · 178,425 miles · IL · fire

Dt: contact states while driving gradually lost engine power to where it would not go over 50 MPH. It continued to lose power. He saw and smelled smoke inside. He turned around and saw smoke coming from the floor right in front of the center seat. He pulled over, and got out in an area where no one would be in danger. By the time he got out of the car and pulled the key out there were flames coming from the passenger side. Within 25 minutes the car burned up.

Filed Dec 20, 2004 · Electrical · MN

Horn going off repeatedly, causing the horn fuse to blow. Taken to repair shop for checkup, and results showed that the horn contacts were built inside with the air bag. Consumer was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced in order to fix the horn.

Filed Dec 3, 2004 · Suspension, Transmission · MI

I own 1994 oldsmobile silhouette which has had three transmissions replaced. *bf *sc the ball joints were replaced. 8jb

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Tires · 84,206 miles · MI

After placing a large object inside rear of vehicle spare tire dropped from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, consumer noticed that tire cable rusted, causing it to break. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak the dealer took the position that the vehicle was not properly maintained. The consumer indicated that when reading the owners manual it never mentioned maintenance of the spare tire cable. The dealer refused any assistance.

Filed Mar 19, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · AR

First issue: the windshield wipers fail to operate correctly. I replaced the blades and theres no improvement. They might go up/down 2 or 3 times then get stuck in up position, soon discovered that hitting bumps corrected for few seconds then again, they would fail to work properly. I took the vehicle to the repair shop & they said that it looked like the bearing was loose & later I replaced the wiper motor. #2: the fuel gauge is inaccurate & floats with acceleration or turns. The fuel warning light only illuminates after you've ran out of gas, you are out of gas when needle is slightly above 1/4 tank mark. #3: the front driver seatbelt fails to retract & often is shut in door b/c of failure. Also the seatbelt warning light/signal will only operate after you wiggle floor attached buckle. #4: the service engine soon light illuminates & remains lit. When attempting to retrieve trouble code the PCM does not communicate w/ scope diagnoster or when using aldl jumper wire method the service engine soon light never flashes the codes. #5: the driver electric window jumps when lowering & often falls from 1/2 up position & the passenger window rools only 1/2 down then must be pulled up by hand. Also, it makes a loud vibrating noise. #6: driver exterior door handle is broken & liftgate lock/latch does not lock & is loose. #7: transmission just suddenly went into neutral while exiting highway @55mph. When I kill the engine momentarily, the restarting problem subsided temporarily & also safety swithches did not function properly (would not start in neutral). I rebuilt the transmission & replaced all associated switches/modules.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 61,663 miles · CT

In may 2000, the vehicle driven by my husband just stopped moving on the highway - engine was still running but transmission was not working. Vehicle recovered after pulling to side of road. Brought to cottman transmission. They took apart and rebuilt transmission. Returned to cottman september 2, 2003 for auto transmission fluid service due to mechanic telling us transmission fluid was brown and whining noise when accelerating. Cottman trans mechanic showed me some small metal flakes in filter and sludge on magnet inside pan and told me there was also varnishing inside pan. Cottman mechanic told me that they'd have to take transmission apart to see what problem is and might be torque converter (which they rebuilt in may 2000). Only 21,000 miles in 3 years and auto trans goes again?! I don't get it. In addition, we had purchased a used 1994 chevy lumina apv in january 2002, because 94 olds had been stolen (was recovered with a little body damage). The auto transmission on the 1994 chevy lumina minivan also failed and had to be replaced with a rebuilt one in feb 2002. Odometer miles were 61029. Vin on 94 chevy is [xxx]. Cost $1,754.30 after wrangling with cottman transmission on price. Is this a coincidence that two brother/sister vehicles had transmissions fail at approximately the same mileage? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 15, 2003 · Tires · AZ · crash

Firestone tire fr410 tread separation.*mr the tread of the tire wrapped itself around the rear axle of the vehicle while traveling on the freeway at 70+ miles. This resulted in a very serious accident. The vehicle flipped and landed on its top when it came to rest. The consumer later learned the tire was returned to firestone because of fear with the firestone debacle and then sold to the consumer for $25.00 a tire. Consumer filled a claim and a year later was informed by firestone that the tire wasn't a recalled tire nor was it on a watch list so there would be no settlement. *ph *ph * cb

Filed Aug 6, 2003 · Tires · AZ · crash · 2 injuries

Firestone tire fr410, dot hy m3 41 a 349, p215 70r15 97s purchased on 5-22-02 with tire failure because of tread separation on 5-27-02. This resulted in a very serious automobile accident. The tread of the tire wrapped itself around the rear axle of the automobile while we (me and my daughter) were travelling on the freeway at 70+ miles per hour. The car fliped and landed on its top when it came to rest! I later found out this was a tire that had been returned to firestone because of fear with the firestone debacle and then sold to me for $25.00 per tire. I through an attorney filed a claim with firestone and after a year of exchanges I was told by firestone this was not a recalled tire nor was it on any watch lists therefore there would be no settlement. Firestone had their field people examine the tire though the results of the examination have not been shared with me and my attorney. This was obviously a faulty tire. The fact that this practice is happening is appalling and the manner in which firestone is dealing with it is even more of a concern. The tires should never have been resold. I would like to request that one of your field representatives in the area please examine the tire. The tire was produced at a plant where some of the recalled tires have been made. If this tire has not been recalled and is not on any watch lists it is time that it should be recalled or added to the watch list. It is my understanding that your office has the ability to make changes and have an effect. My strong statement to you would be let's avoid senseless deaths because of the tire and take it out of circulation. Please help!

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Questions about the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Is the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette, fewer than a typical Silhouette model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette?

Windows, wipers and visibility, with 9 complaints. Next is electrical (5).

How many recalls does the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?

4 recalls, covering power train and seat belts.

What year does the Oldsmobile Silhouette have the most visibility problems?

The Oldsmobile Silhouette model years with the most visibility complaints are 1997 (10 complaints) and 1998 (10 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?

Official estimates for the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 21 highway.

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