Oldsmobile Silhouette grinding brakes problems

Filed May 26, 2007 · Body, Brakes · 39,000 miles · WI · 1 injury

2002 silhouette, 39000 miles. Front wheel bearings failed. Had repaired, within 50 miles after picking up from dealership, there was a grinding when turning right. Both heated seats didn't heat. Driver's side window operated extremely slow. Intake manifold gasket needed replacement!, $1000!, 39000 miles folks! Air suspension did not operate crackled. Power doors did not open when something got in the way. Bruised shoulder because of this. Premature tire wear, replaced tires at 30,000 miles. All scheduled maintenance done. Stored in a garage more highway miles than city. How did gm want to help me? Dealer did paperwork when purchasing, tried to push off a cheaper model on an elderly women, and changed the promised 5 year warranty to a 3 year warranty. Mother was just so happy she got the right vehicle to take home, she never noticed the change in the warranty. Tried to work with the dealer on repairs since there were only 39000 miles, and we got a 'gee, really sorry ma'am, I understood, but there wasn't anything we could do about it. Went to the gm service line, and did not get any help there either, but she had a real purdy first name! Seemed to me these were all recurring premature known failures , yet gm did not care to stand behind their product! It was a shame they pushed the 5 year warranty so extensively when they had all these vehicles on their lots. People, we've been had. I grew up in oldsmobile, but the more I read about gm - the more likely I am to buy toyota! The good news is that I found a dealer (not close to home though) that was willing to at least repair the first set of wheel bearings for $100. Got that on my own, not through gm service help. I just hope they will be as nice for the next set of wheel bearings that need replacement and for the gasket that was just discovered. Still waiting to hear from gm on the other issues. (not as an immediate need as the wheel bearings) I'm not holding my breath.

Filed Jul 19, 2006 · Acceleration · 45,000 miles · CA

On two occasions in 2005, we had incidences of sudden acceleration. We own a 1999 oldsmobile silhouette minivan and in general it has been a trouble-free vehicle. It is well-maintained by the chevrolet-oldsmobile dealer. In the first incident my wife was driving and easing into a parking place with her foot on the brake. When about 5 feet from a car parked in front of her, the car suddenly accelerated. Since she had her foot on the brake she managed to stop the vehicle before hitting it. About a month later, I was easing the car into our garage with my foot on the brake and as I approached racks at the back of the garage, the tires squealed forward but since I had my foot on the brake I managed to stop before hitting the rack. I measured the distance from the tire marks on the garage floor and determined that the bumper was about 3 feet from the rack when the tires spun. If I or my wife had pushed on the accelerator pedal accidentally, we could not have possibly stopped in time to prevent an accident. I am a retired mechanical engineer and I can assure that this information is correct. In both cases we were using our right foot on the brake when the acceleration occurred. We suspect the cruise control which was activated in both cases. We have since been careful to keep it deactivated. Because of the tire streaks on the garage floor, I can prove that I had my foot on the brake at the time of the sudden acceleration. We have not had a recurrence since we have kept the cruise control deactivated.

Filed Aug 26, 2002 · Brakes · MA

Left front rotors and pads are wearing excessively, causes grinding and vibration when brakes are applied. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

Filed Jan 23, 2002 · Brakes · NH

When driving on wet pavement and when attempting to stop, consumer applied brake pedal and brakes failed to respond, causing extended stopping distance. Also, when brakes were applied there was a squeaking noise coming from the front brakes. Consumer has contacted the dealer. *ak

Filed Nov 1, 2001 · Brakes, Tires · TX

I've had brakes fixed, and have replaced the tires twice! The back-end keeps making noise every time you change the gear from park to drive or any other gear. The brakes squeal a lot and the back end seems like it wants to come off, very loud and very loud squealing. Would not recommend anyone to buy this type of vehicle and I won't buy another one! Car has had these problems since purchased new in 1998, but under a 5 year lease, I feel stuck! Very dissatisfied customer!

Filed Mar 13, 2001 · Brakes · TN

When applying brakes there was a squeaking noise. Took to dealer, and they said fluid is getting on drums. *ak consumer states both rear brake cylinders were replaced.

Filed Jun 26, 2000 · Body, Brakes · MA

Aut6omatic door gasket fell off, replace weatherstrip, hard steering, replace steering rack, fuel pump bad, replaced, brake squeaking, replaced front pads disc brakes, rear windshield washer sprayed inside car, reinstalled nose to nozzle

Filed Apr 23, 2000 · Brakes · OH

Loud grinding noise from rear when brakes are applied.

Filed Apr 14, 1999 · Body, Steering · TX

Driving at approx. 25 MPH on wet roads with rain. Started to slow to turn right onto side street when power steering failed. Driver had to use extreme effort to manually turn steering wheel to avoid hitting curb and tree. Driver was able to correct car direction with extreme effort while stopping car. Once the car was stopped, there was a squealing noise ,indicating belts were slipping and there was an additional clicking/tapping sound. Gm case number is 990028165. Problem 2: automatic door on passenger's side disengaged when placing shift lever from park. Dealer cleaned contacts and stated problem was solved. Explanation does not seem reasonable in that the door closed properly until the shift lever was placed out of park. Safety features should prevent the door from openning unless shift lever is in park.

Filed Jan 15, 1999 · Steering · TX

Steering becomes inoperable momentarily in wet driving conditions at slow speed. Occasionally, when turning while driving in wet conditions a squeal sound such as belts slipping can be heard. Steering becomes difficult when turning from a complete stop. Dealer was advised on two occasions. According to the dealer steering is working and belts are properly adjusted. The most recent incident happened in wet weather while pulling into a street from a driveway. Fortunately no traffic was coming and the driver was able to put the transmission in reverse and return to the driveway. Immediately after the incident, steering appeared to work.