1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · Lights · MI

Drivers side headlamp lens fell off.

Filed May 28, 2004 · Lights · 100,000 miles · NY

While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle's headlights lens fell off without warring. The cause has yet to be determined.

Filed May 20, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 9,000 miles · OH

When turning the vehicle off, the horn continuously sounded and all the doors automatically locked. The doors could not be manually opened. The consumer had to turn the vehicle on and wait for a period of five to ten minutes and then turn the vehicle off to get out of the vehicle. Also, power steering fluid had to be added every 10,000 miles and the vehicle overheated due to faulty gaskets. The engine had been replaced twice. *ak when the doors locked, the windows would not open, the dash lights and overhead lights would go out while the vehicle was in motion, the power locks would chatter while the vehicle was in motion, the lights went out in the dash, the driver doors would unlock while the vehicle was in motion, all the doors would lock when the vehicle was stopped and could not be opened manually or open the windows, all of the doors would unlock when the vehicle was in motion and was intermittent, the left door would not unlock when the ignition was turned off, the steering pump went dry while driving and the pump went dry 5 additional times after 1005k miles, the doors locked when the ignition was turned off and would be unable to open the door(s) or window, the power windows were inoperative, the driver mirror would shake, there was moisture in the head lamp, the headlights would go dim at night when the heater was turned on, the left rear window rattled, the wiring chaffed on the stud under the carpet in the vehicle, and the electrical remote did not work until the consumer was close to the vehicle. There were times when the doors were locked after the ignition switch was off, the horn would start blowing and would not shut off until the ignition switch was turned back on. *sc the power mirror were inoperative.

Filed Jan 9, 2004 · 7,250 miles · TX

The cover for the headlight just fell off of the car. My mechanic said that moisture got into the headlight and caused the glue to fail. We had taken it in twice for this problem when the car was new.

Filed Apr 8, 2003 · Lights · 100,000 miles · KY

Front head light lens and park lights had water in them. Side park lights were loose and left head light cover fell out while driving. *jb ph

Filed Mar 6, 2002 · Lights · MI

The headlight assembly is supposed to be a "sealed" unit so as to protect the headlight bulb. On my olds van both the left & the right protective covers fell off in about 40 hrs of each other. At first I didn't think of it as a safety problem, and just went ahead and tried to order just the headlight covers. In calling around to several auto parts stores I found that this is a vey common defect in the gm mini-vans. In fact the parts person that I called at carl thompson chevrolet in fort gratiot ,mi, told me that the same thing happened to his "98 venture van. He also told me that I could not just order the protective cover for my headlights, I must orfer the entire headlight assembly at $91.00 each plus tx and installation. I doubt I could install the light assembly so, I'm looking at $100 or $150 or more to install them for a total of at least $300 to $400. I called the 800 number at oldsmobile and filed a complaint. They called me back in 15 min or so and told me there's nothing they could do for me, and that if I didn't like the $91. Ea for the headlights that perhaps I should look in junk yards for headlights. Well, they are missing the picture here, as I feel this is a serious safety defect. I hate to think what would have happened if I weere traveling at 70 miles per hour on a highway late at night when the "sealed covers" fell off leaving my bulbs exposed to all the road hazards. Had I lost my lights at a high speed there could have been a serious accident, perhaps injuries and death at that speed. I'm sure gm is not interested in correcting the defect as the headlight assembly at $91. Per light is a very profitable sale. The glue that was used to "permanently seal" these headlights is "defective" and a mfg recall should be issued to insure the safety of those who own the vans and the general public who ride the highways exposed to this potentially deadly defect. I hope gm doesn't wait untill someone dies before the take action on this issue. Thank you.

Filed Nov 20, 2001 · Lights · OH

Intermittently headlights become inoperable, obstructing the driver's view, because lens had come off. Please provide additional information.

Filed Oct 29, 2001 · Lights · MN

Was traveling at night and it was raining, headlight covers that held light in plastic lenses came off, and headlights blewout. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed Jun 20, 2001 · Lights · IL

The right side plastic headlight cover came off while driving, the vehicle rolled over it breaking it. When I checked the other lens cover it was about to fall off as well, I was able to reglue it. The dealer told me that it was a common problem with that vehicle, including the chevy venture, and the pontiac montana. The dealer said that the warrenty on this part was extended but only to 50,000 miles. This part has nothing to do with mileage and everything to do with a factory defect that is a safety hazard due to the fact that the lamp burns out once the cover comes off. I called oldmobile and they told me that there was no such problem with their headlights and that because I bought the vehicle used it may have been in an accident and that aftermarket headlight assemblies must have been put on. I tried to explain that it was not the case but he insisted that there was nothing wrong with this part. The glue that holds the cover on becomes brittle and just crumbles off.

Filed Apr 20, 2001 · Lights · MD

Right headlight lens fell off. Headlight burned out immediately. Both headlights had moisture inside ever since date of delivery in 1997. New replacement headlight does not have moisture.

Filed Apr 13, 2001 · Lights · FL

Right headlight cover fell off, light blew when it rained. On april12, 2001 left headlight cover fell off. *ak

Filed Apr 9, 2001 · Lights · IL

Both headlight assembly clear plastic covers fell off during normal driving within 1 week causing halogen headlight bulb to fail. Glue used to attach clear headlight cover to headlight assembly failed. Glue appeared to be brittle and could be chipped off assemble and cover with a finger nail. Replacement headlight assemble cost $237 each from manufacturer. This failure happened on both headlights within one week, I.e., headlight covers fell off during driving causing halogen bulb failure.