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1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

The most common problem on the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette is engine and cooling, typically around 64,000 miles. It has 2.6 times the complaints of a typical Silhouette model year.

Typical year2.6x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
149
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
84
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg
Typical repair
$900

The worst 1999 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Engine failure 10Airbag light 7Knocking 6Headlights 6Overheating 6Fire or smoke 5

Recalls 4

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported December 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain minivans equipped with second-row bucket seats or captain's chairs and a power sliding door on the passenger side of the vehicle, a passenger using the interior handle to open the power sliding door could be injured.
Risk
If a passenger uses the interior handle to open the power sliding door and holds onto the handle while it is being opened by the motor, the passenger's arm may be pushed into the seat back or armrest and a wrist or lower arm injury may result.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the power sliding door interior handle on the passenger-side. If the vehicle is equipped with a power or manual sliding door on the driver-side, the interior handle will also be replaced for appearance reasons. Note: before the vehicle is serviced, gm advises owners to not use the interior door handle to open the door. The driver can open and close the door from switches at the driver's position or by using the remote key fob. The driver should tell passengers to use the switch located in front of the door to open or close it. The driver should use the override switch to prevent operation of the power door by children or by others who are not familiar with its use. The owner notification letter mailing will be conducted in phases with the first phase beginning on may 31, 2005. The second phase mailing began on july 18, 2005. The recall began on may 31, 2005. Phase 2 began on july 18, 2005. Phase 3 (final phase) began on august 24, 2005, to all remaining customers. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668; or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.

Recall number 04V597000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported August 21, 2001 · 248,737 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: 1997-2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana/transport, and oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013 (01v‑067) from april to august 2001. Also 2001 chevrolet venture, pontiac montana, and oldsmobile silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors assembled in january through april 2001. These vehicles have inadequate front welds. If a front weld fails, the actuator can jam in the unlatched position and, when the sliding door closes, it will not be latched.
Risk
If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface. An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on october 22, 2001. 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 01V264000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported March 8, 2001 · 477,011 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: minivans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors. The door closes but may not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in motion, particularly when the vehicle ascends a hill, makes a turn, or travels over a rough road surface.
Risk
An unrestrained occupant could fall out of the van and be injured.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01v‑264. 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 01V067000 · Recall details

Steering: gear box: shaft sectorReported April 12, 1999 · 59 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger mini vans. The left and/or right front lower insulator to cradle center metal sleeve is collapsed, which can result in loss of clamp load in the joint. If the clamp load is reduced or lost, the bolt can be lost or broken and the joint can separate.
Risk
If not repaired, separation of the opposite side joint could occur resulting in steering shaft separation.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the left and right front lower cradle-to-suspension insulators and the attaching bolts.

Recall number 99V071000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Defect investigations

Power-sliding doorOpened September 17, 2004, closed December 22, 2004

Subject vehicles are available with an optional power sliding door.the interior handle is oriented in the vertical position in the door panel and lines up at the elbow level when the occupant is seated in the 2nd-row outboard position.if the occupant holds the interior handle in the thumb up position during power-assisted opening, the arm/wrist can be push back with force against the 2nd-row bucket seat or captain's chair seat back creating a risk of injury (other seating configurations have ample seat to door clearance to avoid entrapment of the lower arm).among the 103 total reports, there were 102 alleged injuries including arm/wrist, thumb and shoulder injuries.a count of injuries reveals that 76 injuries were a fractured or a broken arm/wrist requiring an immobilizing cast for four-to-six weeks.all injuries involve the right side power sliding door.the left side power sliding door is on far fewer vehicles, but more importantly, it produces less force.gm notified the agency by letter dated december 21, 2004, that it will recall model year 1997 though early 2005 gm u-van vehicles equipped with a right side power sliding door and with 2nd-row bucket seats or captain chairs (the federal safety agency recall #04v597).as part of the recall remedy, gm will replace the door handle with a flush mounted handle that will prevent an occupant from grasping the handle with the palm between the handle and door panel (thumb up orientation) and thus eliminate the potential for arm/wrist entrapment.this investigation is closed.

PE04064

Rear axle trailing arm failureOpened April 23, 2003, closed January 12, 2004

On november 18, 2002, odi opened a preliminary evaluation (pe02-086) to evaluate allegations of rear axle trailing arm failures in the subject vehicles (u-van) which included two reporting crashes.on april 9, 2003, odi upgraded pe02-086 to an engineering analysis (ea03-005) to continue its examination of the issue. The trailing arm design in these vehicles has been used in the u-van from my 1997 through the present.the gm analysis concluded that the subject trailing arms could crack or buckle if they were damaged during assembly, pre-delivery handling, or subjected to certain service related abuse conditions such as improper towing or jacking.analysis of odi and gm data has identified 19 incidents of rear axle trailing arm failures in the subject vehicles.there have been no new reports to odi or gm in the last 12 months and only one new complaint in the last 21 months. Due to the low complaint rate and the absence of a continuing trend in reported failures, a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. For additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA03005

Rear axle trailing arm failureOpened November 18, 2002, closed April 9, 2003

Analysis of odi and gm data has identified 14 incidents of rear trailing arm failures in model year (my) 1997 through 1999 gm u-vans, including two that allegedly resulted in crashes. The trailing arm design in these vehicles is used in the u-vans from my 1997 through 2003.according to gm, the subject trailing arms can crack or buckle if they have been damaged during assembly, pre-delivery handling, or certain service related abuse conditions (e.g., improper towing or jacking).gm identified a parts handling concern that was causing some trailing arms to be damaged prior to installation.to address this concern, gm implemented changes to the shipping containers from january 1999 through september 1999. Eight (8) of the reported incidents in my 1997-99 u-vans, including the two crashes, occurred in the last 2 years.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis to assess the trend and safety risk associated with the alleged defect.

PE02086

Shoulder harness clipOpened February 11, 2002, closed August 2, 2002

PE02017

Air bag tear during deploymentOpened November 3, 2000, closed January 11, 2001

PE00045

Unexpected opening of sliding doorOpened July 25, 2000, closed October 22, 2001

There is no summary currently available

SQ00014

Traction controlOpened February 16, 2000, closed April 20, 2001

RQ00006

Technical service bulletins for the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette 84

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

See all 84 bulletins for the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette

1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.4L 6‑cylFWD162318

What 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 5, 2016 · Electrical · CO

Car won't start unless you wiggle the key in the ignition switch. Can die at any time while driving.

Filed Jul 12, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 199,000 miles · IL

The engine. The coolant low light stays on even though it isn't.. Have had it checked. They said its all ok. Then I read these complaints. Why aren't they being held responsible for a defect!!!!! Its their defect, not ours. We didn't sign up for $1200 in repairs or more!!! Are you getting paid to sit there and just put these up here to appease us? No wonder this nation is going you know where in a basket. Lack of integrity. My brakes also both went out completely when someone gave me less than a foot to stop when they pulled out of a parking spot downtown. No accident but completely blew my brake. This also seems to be a common failure point in this so called vehicle. The engine does what it wants when it wants. It moans and shudders when it takes off..kind of like me when I get up in the morning. Could kill me though. Airbag light can't decide if it alive or not. One headlight is frosted.will cost $325.00 to fix it. Who has this money??!!that is half of my months income!!!!!!!!!are you crazy????? And no, there is no public transportation where I live. Seat belts don't work right.danger!!! Body is rusting. Doorlocks lock me out all the time. Window don't work.dangzer!!!! I live where there's lots of water.. Back wiper quit. Back lights quit. Fuel gauge quit..makes me want to quit. :( how can they get away with the major safety items..how????!!!!! Please tell me. I need to know. This heap of junk needs to last me at least 20..yes twenty more years.:(

Filed Jul 12, 2015 · Lights, Seat belts · 199,000 miles · IL

I was backing out of my place at worship when a friend told me I had no backup lights. I went straight to the auto supply store. Replacing the bulbs did not work. They told me it had to do with the transmission. I went elsewhere. Same story. Went to the he transmission store. They said my transmission was going out and it would cost me $1897.00 to fix it. Two little bulbs. That was a year ago and I'm still driving it. I try to back into spaces so I don't have to back out. I went to the dealer and they said to replace the wiring assembly would cost more than the car is worth. And the seat belt clicks in but sometimes slips out if I stop quickly if someone cuts me off. Not good at all.the power train is erratic at best. I wonder if I'm going to make it home quite a lot and I am disabled. It shudders when it starts out, making it dangerous in tight driving situations(chicago).it slides or slips. I've been told time and time there's nothing wrong. But when you tell a car to go, it should go...its not supposed to act like a stubborn dumb mule! And the doors quit working as did the AC and it eats tires even though its aligned and balanced. I fixed the shower with 25 year silicone. I didn't need my hair washed while I drove. Its only 15 years old and has been taken care of and its a piece of junk. A very expensive piece of junk. Coolant low always stays on and it isn't. Gas gauge is always empty when you fill it and full if its empty. I tell how much gas I have by how many miles I've gone divided into how many gals of gas I purchased. Keep the books or walk!!!!! Garbage. Car!!!!!!!!!

Filed Jan 5, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 185,000 miles · IL

I was driving in town when a car pulled out of a parking spot right in front of me giving me two feet to stop at 25 MPH. I stopped but my brakes blew. Total failure of two brakes. The engine. According to your complaints I might have a gasket to replace because I have a coolant light on and it doesn't need any. The repairman said I needed a new sensor. Hmmm. Electrical. Fuel gauge is inoperable. Coolant light wrong. Airbag lights can't make up their mind if they work or not. The car locks me out repeatedly. The power windows won't work..dangerous here with all the rivers and waterways. The sliding doors don't work. None of the power controls in the key fob work(yes, I checked the battery). Oh..and it has a indoor shower when it rains. Roof failure, fault in design. Could you please tell me if past service bulletins I just found on your site still pertain? There are many for this vehicle and its issues. Please advise. Thank you.

Filed Oct 20, 2011 · Transmission · NY

Could not engage drive gear but would engage in 1st and 2nd gear and reverse.

Filed May 20, 2011 · Transmission · 154,430 miles · AL

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile silhouette. While the vehicle was parked the contact attempted to shift into drive gear and it failed to move from park to drive. The contact was able to place shift cable back in place and shift into drive. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the automatic trans axle range selector cable assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 154,430.

Filed Sep 4, 2010 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

Left side brake / tail light melts. Bulb base melts then causes an open short. Bulb has been replaced several times. Last 3 to 4 months before failure (melted base) and bulb replacement. It also causes the traction control system (tcs) to show an intermittent fault or be inoperative.

Filed Apr 23, 2010 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · TX · crash · fire

I am in army & while driving to work one morning at 5:30 am my van slowly started accelerating the more I pressed the brake the faster the van went, by the time I reached the street the van was up to 50 MPH I was afraid so I call my husband, told him the situation & the street I was traveling, he was on the way. By then I was up to 60-65 MPH, I called 911 stated the situation, asking for help & to have someone on the phone just in case. I almost hit a bus, looking ahead a few blocks I saw back-to-back traffic starting to build-up, I did not want to hurt myself or anyone else, then going 65-70 MPH I looked over and saw a park I turned the van into the park & to stop it I decided to crash the van into a tree. I turned toward the tree and jumped out; the van crushed into the side of the tree & continued to keep going. I ran after it as I saw the van jump the curb and going 70mph towards the row of homes across the street crushed into a tree head on. The van engine after all that continued to roar as if trying to keep going. I flagged down a van and recalled the police to let them know where the van had stopped. When the fire department came & turned the van off I was told the van had been on fire it was trying to stop itself but was being over powered, the tow guy came & towed the van away. This is a blessing know one was hurt, but something needs to be done about this, & for the auto company not to investigate is a tragedy. What are they saying numerous people will have to die, before they will admit there maybe a problem? Just to save money if that is the case shame on them? I am here by grace, but I can't help but think of those possibly in the same situation but not alive to tell their story. If this is what is happening god bless the roads we drive on that the next person might think to do what I did. Thank you for letting me posts my story.

Filed Apr 16, 2010 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · OH · fire

Just pulling out of the driveway when smoke started coming out of interior vents. Turned off van got out and flames started coming from under the hood. Total loss of vehicle and contents. No injuries sustained. Miles high but not actual,replaced motor with 80,000 mile motor when we bought the vehicle. Newer engine came from another olds silhouette that had a dash fire.

Filed Dec 16, 2009 · Brakes · 118,526 miles · OH

Left brake keeps going out. Upon replacing notice that the contacts are getting covered up by melting plastic. I have replaced the bulb numerous time and even replaced the circuit board. Still the bulbs keep melting. This has started in mid june of 2008. I am at the point now of driving without a left rear brake light.

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Questions about the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Is the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?

Owners have filed 149 complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 2.6 times a typical Silhouette model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette?

Engine and cooling, with 48 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles. Next is body (18).

How many recalls does the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?

4 recalls, covering latches/locks/linkages and 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 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?

Official estimates for the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 16 city and 23 highway.

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