I own two very similar gm made vans, a 1996 oldsmobile silhouette, and a 1994 chevrolet lumina apv van. Both had sudden brake failure due to the rear brake line bursting, in exactly the same place! Both had current inspections. This is very dangerous. I had to replace the rear brake lines on both vans. The fact that they failed at exactly the same point in the rear brake line makes me think this is a design flaw. When the line failed and was repaired, I also replaced the same line on the other side and found it weak and ready to burst. I still see many of these gm vans on the road and feel this is a safety hazard. I am filing this complaint twice, one for each car.
The worst 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine8
- Visibility4
- Body3
- Steering2
- Acceleration1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine8
- Visibility4
- Body3
- Steering2
- Acceleration1
- Brakes1
- Seats1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 1
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape.
- Risk
- If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began january 24, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 02V286000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette 29
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Fuel system, gasoline
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- Engine oil or coolant leak
- Information on error codes on radio display their cause and corrective action
- No tcc apply, malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on, tcc surge, possible P0740, P1870, or 39 after...
1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 19 |
What 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
1) vehicle started stalling 2) coolant leaked into oil 3) had to have repaired at my own cost $780.00 and not sure that this will take care of it.
While driving 45 MPH vehicle stalled without warning. Vehicle was towed to an independent shop, and technician replaced the engine. But problem recurred.
While in reverse and without any indication vehicle lost steering power. Consumer turned vehicle off. Then, restarted vehicle and steering operated normally.
Intake gasket leaked internaly and allowed oil and coolant to intermix and destroyed the engine. There was no warning. I\\\\\\'m still getting estimates for the engine repair/replacement but it looks to be $4000+.
Left front driver's side tire tread separated from tire while driving about 60 MPH on the highway. The tire never deflated while separating . The tracks from the material of tire caused damage to the undercarriage of vehicle. Futura, size p205/70r15, dot# hym0s8m420.
The windshield wipers failed intermittently which caused poor visibility. A recall was issued on similar makes and models, however this vehicle was not included due to vehicle identification number. Dealer notified. *ak *nlm *scc
Consumer states that while driving at any speed vehicle would lose acceleration without warning. Consumer would have to wait 2 minutes before restarting vehicle. Vehicle has been to dealer on six occasion s,and problem is reoccurring.
Consumer states that the vehicle would accelerate without warning. Dealer notified.
The federal safety agency recall 02-v-286-000: certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used in vehicles assembled between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, could fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. Consumer stated this recall problem also was in his vehicle.
Compare the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Other model years
199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004
Questions about the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Is the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette, fewer than a typical Silhouette model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
Engine and cooling, with 8 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles. Next is visibility (4).
How many recalls does the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
1 recall, covering steering.
What year does the Oldsmobile Silhouette have bad engine?
The Oldsmobile Silhouette model years with the most engine complaints are 1999 (48 complaints), 1998 (35 complaints) and 2000 (29 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette range from 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.
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