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 reports
33,000 miles · Jun 24, 2003
Structure
I OWN A 2000 SILHOUETTE VAN. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THIS PAST DECEMBER. HOWEVER THE MILEAGE IS WITHIN THE WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL OLDS DEALER THAT I HAD A WATER LEAK UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THE CARPET WAS DRENCHED, UNDERNEATH. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE LEAK, DUE TO THE CARPET HAS A RUBBER BARRIER UNDERNEATH IT. THEY COULD NOT…
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I OWN A 2000 SILHOUETTE VAN. THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THIS PAST DECEMBER. HOWEVER THE MILEAGE IS WITHIN THE WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL OLDS DEALER THAT I HAD A WATER LEAK UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THE CARPET WAS DRENCHED, UNDERNEATH. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE LEAK, DUE TO THE CARPET HAS A RUBBER BARRIER UNDERNEATH IT. THEY COULD NOT TELL ME WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM. THEY REMOVED THE WHOLE DASH. THEY LOCATED THREE SEPARATE LEAKS IN THE SEAMS ON THE FIRE WALL. THE LEAKS ARE WHERE THEY APPLY PUTTY OVER THE WELDED SEAMS. THEY CAN NOT EXPLAIN WHY THE PUTTY HAS FAILED. NO ONE WILL TELL ME WHY. HOWEVER ONE PERSON SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BAD BATCH OF PUTTY. WELL HOW MANY CARS HAVE THIS PUTTY ON THEM. ALL THEY SAY IS IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE A SECOND CONCERN. THIS COULD VERY WELL HAVE CAUSED HEALTH PROBLEMS(MILDEW,ETC.) FOR MY FAMILY IF THE LEAK WAS NOT NOTICED. HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THE TYPE OF VAN ( VENTURE, MONTANA AND SILHOUETTE )HAVE LEAKS AND ARE NOT AWARE OF IT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURED PROBLEM. IF THE BATTERY FAILED I UNDERSTAND, BUT NOT THE PUTTY IN THE FIREWALL. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10023708
55,000 miles · May 25, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AT 50,000 MILES. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10019261
39,000 miles · Mar 27, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE, HOWEVER THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10014599
69,000 miles · Mar 18, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKING INTERNALLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010674
34,500 miles · Mar 15, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
2000 SILHOUETTE WITH INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK DUE TO DEXCOOL. SHORTED OUT PLUG WIRES ETC. *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10010499
69,000 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*JB *TS
NHTSA ODI #10008669
Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Air BagsSeat Belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS BROKEN. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD A ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. PH *TT
NHTSA ODI #10004266
44,000 miles · Dec 29, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
DRIVING ON I-95 SOUTH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWED AHEAD OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES, NOTHING HAPPENED. I APPLIED BRAKES WITH 2 FEET TO THE FLOOR AND NO RESPONSE. THE CRASH INVOLVED THE THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES BUT IT WAS FRIGHTENING. I HAVE READ A FEW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS …
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DRIVING ON I-95 SOUTH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AT ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN TRAFFIC SLOWED AHEAD OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES, NOTHING HAPPENED. I APPLIED BRAKES WITH 2 FEET TO THE FLOOR AND NO RESPONSE. THE CRASH INVOLVED THE THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME WITH NO SERIOUS INJURIES BUT IT WAS FRIGHTENING. I HAVE READ A FEW SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE FOR 2000 AND 1999 SILHOUETTES.
NHTSA ODI #10000633
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 2002
Electrical SystemSeat Belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE. ALSO HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH TURNED AIR BAG LIGHT ON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. TS. ...*AK
NHTSA ODI #10001406
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2002
Parking Brake
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE IS RUBBING AGAINST THE SHOCK ABSORBER CAUSING THE SHOCK TO WEAR. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
3
PE04064 · 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
2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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