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.
1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering problems
20 complaints (19% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 19%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Rack and pinion7
- Hydraulic power assist system6
- Column locking: anti-theft device4
- Hydraulic power assist: pump2
- Steering wheel/handle bar1
- Rack and pinion: rack1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Oldsmobile Silhouette steering problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
Related investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
The lower pinion bearing in the rack and pinion steering assembly may fail.gm will recall 1997-98 grand prix built between 1-mar-96 and 31-oct-97; and 1996-98 u-vans/j-cars built between 1-jan-96 and 31-oct-97.see attached summary.
EA02003
Steering rack and pinion
Odi has received 200 complaints fromt consumers and 1,238 from gm alleging failure or lockup of the steering rack and pinion unit (r&p).this alleged condition can result in the loss of steering control of the vehicle and a crash can result.gm has reported six crashes in which eight people have sustained injuries ranging from bruises, airbag burn, seat belt abrasion, facial injury, neck and back pain.all crashes were single vehicle crashes.gm states that one possible failure mode is failure of the lower pinion bearing in the r&p.an engineering analysis has been opened to determine if a safety defect trend exists.
PE01038
What 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The consumer received a recall letter regarding the rack and pinion, an appointment was made, however the day before the appointment, consumer received a call from the dealer who stated they had no tools to correct the problem.
The vehicle was taken to the shop for recall repairs to the rack and pinion bearing and the power steering. This recall required that the air bags,horn and cruise control be reset. The dealer refused to do this because it was not part of the recall.
Consumer attempted to make a left turn at very slow speed power steering would not work, and the left turn was not possible. Vehicle has not been taken to dealer yet.
While exiting off highway steering would not turn left. *ak while driving with out prior warning, the steering broke where the steering column was attached to the rack and pinion.
Steering wheel locked while making a left due to rack and pinion failure.
Vehicle was recalled for sliding door. When door was secured it opened without prior warning. Also, alarm system went off. Dealership was aware of problem.
Power steering rack failed without warning while driving, consumer wants to be compensated for repair and rental car, whine noise is coming from the power steering pump. Nlm
While driving and without warning rack and pinion failed, causing the power steering assist to lock up. Owner had to turn vehicle off in order to rotate steering wheel.
Anti theft device malfunctions on occasions causing the driver to be trapped inside. Mjs
Questions about the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering
Does the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette have steering problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 19% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V286000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Oldsmobile Silhouette have bad steering?
The Oldsmobile Silhouette model years with the most steering complaints are 1997 (20 complaints) and 1998 (14 complaints).
Other 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems
Lights 18Body 14Locks 13Engine 11Visibility 10Brakes 9Fuel system 9Electrical 7Transmission 7Acceleration 4Tires 4Seat belts 3Seats 3Airbags 1Wheels 1
VIN decoder
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