IllustrationINTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED APRIL 2004. GM REPLACED GASKET WITH NEW IMPROVED GASKET. GASKET FAILS AGAIN AFTER ONLY 22000 MILES. NEW GASKET INSTALLED ALONG WITH NEW FUEL INJECTOR. SPENT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. *JB
2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Silhouette years
Owner complaints for the 2000 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
30–25K
1825–50K
1650–75K
475–100K
7100–150K
2150K+
50 reports with mileage · 64 unknown
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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
114 reportsFIRST, WHAT HAPPENED TO ODI #'S 563553 AND 767723? THESE WERE IN THE COMPLAINT DATABASE IN 2002 BUT DO NOT SHOW UP ON THE COMPLAINT SEARCH TODAY. AS REPORTED IN 2002, MY VEHICLE AGAIN SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFICE AT 40+ MPH - ENGINE QUIT, MESSAGES "CHECK ENGINE", "LOW FUEL", AND 'SECURITY" APPEARED ON TH…
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FIRST, WHAT HAPPENED TO ODI #'S 563553 AND 767723? THESE WERE IN THE COMPLAINT DATABASE IN 2002 BUT DO NOT SHOW UP ON THE COMPLAINT SEARCH TODAY. AS REPORTED IN 2002, MY VEHICLE AGAIN SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFICE AT 40+ MPH - ENGINE QUIT, MESSAGES "CHECK ENGINE", "LOW FUEL", AND 'SECURITY" APPEARED ON THE CONSOLE IN ROTATION, LASTING A FEW SECONDS EACH. THE "SECURITY" MESSAGE IMPLIES THAT THE PROGRAMMABLE KEY SYSTEM COES NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY, THOUGH IT IS THE ORIGINAL GIVEN TO US AT TIME OF PURCHASE IN 2000. THE CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT BRAKELIGHTS, DUE TO THE DEAD ENGINE WITH TRANSMISSION STILL ENGAGED. IN 2002, THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE THE DEALER FOUND A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM, THE THIRD TIME RESULTING IN A COLLISION OF TWO VEHICLES TRYING TO AVOID ME WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THIS TIME THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE, BUT NO SECURITY SYSTEM SHOULD EVER SHUT DOWN A VEHICLE ONCE IT IS IN MOTION.
DT: CONTACT STATES THE SLIDING DOOR BEEPED CONSTANTLY. SHE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2002-02. SHE HAD TO CUT IT OFF AT THE PANEL ABOVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, AND LEFT IT OFF BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT USE IT. SHE MADE 2 ATTEMPTS TO GET IT FIXED AND BOTH ATTEMPTS FAILED. THE SECOND TIME, IT COST HER $500.00.*AK
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING HE LOST POWER TO HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CABLE WAS TOUCHING THE BELT AND EVENTUALLY IT FRAYED THE BELT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLE AND MADE SURE IT WAS PROPERLY SUPPORTED SO THAT IT WOULD NOT TOUCH THE BELT. HE NOTICED THAT THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VOLTAGE WAS REALLY …
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DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING HE LOST POWER TO HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CABLE WAS TOUCHING THE BELT AND EVENTUALLY IT FRAYED THE BELT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLE AND MADE SURE IT WAS PROPERLY SUPPORTED SO THAT IT WOULD NOT TOUCH THE BELT. HE NOTICED THAT THE A/C WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE VOLTAGE WAS REALLY LOW.
DT: CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REAPIRS. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. *AK
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN WINTER MONTHS. WHEN I DROVE IT OFF LOT RIGHT HEADLIGHT BLEW. I PHONED DEALER- SALESWOMAN TOLD ME TAKE IT TO THEIR MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. HE REPLACED IT SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME IT BLEW. HE SAID IT WAS WET WEATHER. I WONDERED, BUT TRUSTED THEM. 1 ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AFTER ANOT…
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COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN WINTER MONTHS. WHEN I DROVE IT OFF LOT RIGHT HEADLIGHT BLEW. I PHONED DEALER- SALESWOMAN TOLD ME TAKE IT TO THEIR MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. HE REPLACED IT SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME IT BLEW. HE SAID IT WAS WET WEATHER. I WONDERED, BUT TRUSTED THEM. 1 ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. I HAVE SPENT $500 TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS REPAIRED REPEATEDLY. LAST JULY, I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND PAID $122 FOR REPAIRS. IT LASTED LESS THAN 1 MONTH. LIGHTS BEGAN BLOWING OUT, AND FAILED. BLINKERS OPERATED ERRATICALLY, SOMETIMES RIGHT ONES WORKED(FRONT & BACK), SOMETIMES THEY DIDN'T. BACKUP LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN BRAKE WERE PRESSED. MESSAGES FROM COMPUTER MESSAGE CENTER SAID DOOR WAS AJAR ROLLING DOWN I95 AT 65 MPH OR THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS AJAR AT 65 MPH - ATS MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS TURNED OFF. THE REPAIRING DEALERSHIP SAID EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. WIRES BURNED THROUGH FOR SOME REASON". MECHANIC SAID EVERYTHING WORKS OKAY. ONBOARD COMPUTER MESSED UP. I CONTACTED OLDSMOBILE WEBSITE, AND WAS TOLD EACH TIME IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE VAN WAS OLDER. *AK A POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED TO THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER FOR DRIVING WITHOUT LIGHTS/DEFECTIVE LIGHTS. *SC *JB
WHILE TURNING LEFT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN SIDE COLLISION. NO REPORT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. AS A RESULT, DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND HIP INJURIES. *AK
DEALER REPORTED THAT UPPER MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS COOLANT. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT ON THIS GM 3.4 L ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS 60,000 MILES.*AK
THE RIGHT SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGAGE OR RETRACT. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT WOULD ENGAGE AND RETRACT AN ITS OWN. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT SEAT BELT NEEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
AT 63000 MILES MY 3.4 L ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY MECHANIC AND TWO OTHERS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF 3.1 AND 3.4 L GM ENGINES AND THAT THE COMPANY REALIZES THAT IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT GASKET HAS BEEN RE-ENGINEERED AND THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT A NON GM…
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AT 63000 MILES MY 3.4 L ENGINE BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY MECHANIC AND TWO OTHERS TOLD ME THAT THIS IS TYPICAL OF 3.1 AND 3.4 L GM ENGINES AND THAT THE COMPANY REALIZES THAT IT HAS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT GASKET HAS BEEN RE-ENGINEERED AND THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT A NON GM REPAIR SHOP AND COST ME $796.22 *JB
Official recalls
504V597000 · 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.
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.
00V228003 · Seat Belts
Aug 7, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
99V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Sep 29, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS WITH EXTENDED WHEELBASE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE INOPERATIVE FUEL TANK ROLLOVER VALVES AND FUEL LEAKAGE WOULD EXCEED THE PERMISSIBLE AMOUNT IN A ROLLOVER TEST. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN A VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, IF AN IGNITION SOURCE IS PRESENT, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES TO LOCATE AND REPLACE THOSE FUEL TANKS THAT COULD HAVE INOPERATIVE ROLLOVER VALVES.
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
3PE04064 · POWER-SLIDING Door
Opened Sep 17, 2004 · Closed Dec 22, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door
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 (NHTSA 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.
PE02017 · Shoulder Harness Clip
Opened Feb 11, 2002 · Closed Aug 2, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
No summary supplied.
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