1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems
NHTSA has received 186 complaints about the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 22% of them involve engine. Next are body & structure (10%) and transmission (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 186 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 11 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 21 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 69,000 miles 69 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 6 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 20 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 16 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 10 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 69 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 69,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 64,000 miles (27 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 11 complaints mention a crash; 4 complaints mention a fire; 21 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 12 model years of the Oldsmobile Silhouette with enough data (112 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
When van was hit on the passenger's side between the two tires, there was no deployment of the passenger's side air bag. Van was being repaired. Damages totaled $9,000.00. Please provide any further information.
While turning, another car ran a red light and hit consumer on passenger's side of vehicle. Upon impact, rear door flew open, and airbags did not deploy. Consumer feels this is unsafe for anyone that may be riding in the back seat.
I own a 1999 oldsmobile silhouette with 52,000 miles. I brought it to the local dealer because of a knocking noise on cold startup. Diagnosed as a failed intake manifold gasket, cost to repair approx $900.00. On disassembly, dealer contacted me with information that the engine internals were so badly fouled (sludge and deposits) that the hydraulic lifters required replacement.
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.