IllustrationWHILE 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. *YH
1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Silhouette years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette are substantially higher than the model-year median of 40.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silhouette years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 19 of 104 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
104 reportsSLIDING DOOR WILL NOT STAY LATCHED AND OPENS WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAYS IT'S BECAUSE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN ON GRAVEL ROADS. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH ALL 5 LUG NUTS BROKE OFF ON RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, AND VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AS IT FELL TO THE GROUND.*AK *YD
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…
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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.
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH GLASS IN THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED, CAUSING GLASS TO FLY INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER CLAIMS VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANY OBSTACLE IN THE ROAD THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE …
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WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH GLASS IN THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED, CAUSING GLASS TO FLY INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER CLAIMS VEHICLE DID NOT HIT ANY OBSTACLE IN THE ROAD THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THIS PROBLEM TO OCCUR. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
I DISCOVERED THAT A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT CANNOT BE SAFELY OR SECURELY INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, MIDDLE BENCH OF MY MINIVAN USING THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT BECAUSE WHEN TIGHTENING THE BELT TO SECURE THE SEAT, THE BELT BUCKLE PUSHES UP ON THE SEAT RECLINING LEVER, WHICH IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE BUCKLE, AND RECLINES THE SEAT.…
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I DISCOVERED THAT A CHILD RESTRAINT SEAT CANNOT BE SAFELY OR SECURELY INSTALLED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, MIDDLE BENCH OF MY MINIVAN USING THE SHOULDER SEAT BELT BECAUSE WHEN TIGHTENING THE BELT TO SECURE THE SEAT, THE BELT BUCKLE PUSHES UP ON THE SEAT RECLINING LEVER, WHICH IS LOCATED DIRECTLY ABOVE THE BUCKLE, AND RECLINES THE SEAT. I READ AND REREAD MY MANUAL AND IN NO PLACE DOES IT CONTRAINDICATE THAT POSITION FOR THE SAFETY SEAT . THE DEALER COULD NOT EVEN INSTALL THE SEAT PROPERLY FOR ME AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN AGREED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN, POSSIBLE EVEN FOR A PASSENGER JUST USING THE SHOULDER BELT SINCE ANY FORCE PUSHES UP ON THE BUCKLE WHICH HITS THE RECLINE LEVER AND RECLINES THE SEAT. GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE RECOMMENDS GETTING THE DEALER TO INSTALL A TOP STRAP AND TETHER (THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DID NOT SUGGEST THIS) TO SECURE THE SEAT AT MY EXPENSE. (I UNDERSTAND THAT 2001 MODELS HAVE A LATCH OPTION NOW FOR ANCHORING SEATS WITHOUT THE USE OF SEAT BELTS. NONE OF THIS , HOWEVER, ADDRESSES THE POOR AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN OF HAVING THE SEAT RECLINE LATCH DIRECTLY ABOVE THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. I TRULY FEAR ANY SUDDEN STOP WHICH PUTS PRESSURE ON THE SEAT BUCKLE WILL , IN TURN, LIFT UP THAT LEVER, RECLINE THE SEAT AND CAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGER WHO WAS PROPERLY BUCKLED. MEANWHILE, UNTIL I FIND OUT IF THE DEALER CAN INSTALL A TOP STRAP AND A TETHER BETWEEN THE SEAT FOLD TO SECURE THE SEAT WITHOUT USING THE SHOULDER BELT AND BUCKLE, I HAVE NO PEACE OF MIND TRANSPORTING MY 4 CHILDREN, TWO OF WHOM STILL NEED CAR SEATS. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE.*AK
VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM DEALER WHO ORIGINALLY SOLD IT. SOME WARRANTY LEFT. TRANSMISSION TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE. DEALER CHANGED FLUID, SAID METAL SHAVINGS IN TRANSMISSION PAN. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND WAS TOLD AT PURCHASE TIME THAT FIRST OWNER HAD ALL MAINTENANCE DONE AT DEALER.
INTERMITTENTLY HEADLIGHTS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW, BECAUSE LENS HAD COME OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
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.*AK
THE CAR DID NOT CATCH FIRE BUT THE DASH STARTED SMOKING. THE DASH WAS MELTED IN A COUPLE OF PLACES. A FRIEND OF OURS HAD THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VAN THAT STARTED FIRE IN THEIR GARAGE AND BURNT DOWN THE GARAGE. THE PERSON WHO WORKED ON THIS SAID IT WAS GETTING VERY HOT AND IF IT STARTED SMOKING AGAIN TO GET OUT BECAUSE IT W…
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THE CAR DID NOT CATCH FIRE BUT THE DASH STARTED SMOKING. THE DASH WAS MELTED IN A COUPLE OF PLACES. A FRIEND OF OURS HAD THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF VAN THAT STARTED FIRE IN THEIR GARAGE AND BURNT DOWN THE GARAGE. THE PERSON WHO WORKED ON THIS SAID IT WAS GETTING VERY HOT AND IF IT STARTED SMOKING AGAIN TO GET OUT BECAUSE IT WOULD PROBALBY CATCH FIRE.*AK
Official recalls
604V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Dec 22, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
02V286000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Nov 4, 2002
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Aug 21, 2001
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Mar 8, 2001
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
98V145000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Jun 26, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.
98V072000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
Apr 7, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
7EA03005 · Rear Axle Trailing Arm Failure
Opened Apr 23, 2003 · Closed Jan 12, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension; Suspension:rear
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 NHTSA 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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Suspension
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 NHTSA 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.
Suspension:rear
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 NHTSA 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.
EA02032 · Safety Belt Assembly Failure
Opened Nov 18, 2002 · Closed Nov 21, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
ODI IDENTIFIED 59 REPORTS WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ODI WAS ABLE TO CONTACT 44 OF THE 59 CONSUMERS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFIC CAUSE OF THE LATCH PROBLEMS.OF THE 44 OWNERS CONTACTED, ODI DETERMINED THAT FOUR FAILURES WERE DUE TO AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE LATCH PLATE, AND THAT 23 FAILURES WERE DUE TO A DISPLACED BUCKLE HOUSING COVER.THE REMAINING 17 FAILURES HAD INDETERMINABLE CAUSES.OF THE 59 REPORTS, THERE WERE THREE ALLEGED MINOR INJURIES.NO LEGAL CLAIMS OR LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED WITH REGARD TO THIS ALLEGED DEFECT.BASED ON THE LIMITED NUMBER OF REPORTS, AND A DECLINING REPORT TREND, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEARED TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE ADDITIONAL SUMMARY REPORT.
EA02003 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Apr 4, 2002 · Closed Dec 10, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
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.
Steering:rack And Pinion
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.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
PE01038 · Steering Rack And Pinion
Opened Nov 14, 2001 · Closed Apr 4, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
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.
SQ00014 · Unexpected Opening Of Sliding Door
Opened Jul 25, 2000 · Closed Oct 22, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
RQ00006 · Traction Control
Opened Feb 16, 2000 · Closed Apr 20, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.