Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

78 reports

30,000 miles · Jan 11, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE LEAKY INTAKE VALVE GASKETS ON A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE VAN WHICH HAS RUINED THE EHGINE. GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. I HAVE MANY FRIENDS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS ON THE INTERNET WHO REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE 3.4 V6 GM ENGINE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106154

42,000 miles · Jan 7, 2005

Air BagsCrash

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT SIDE REAR PASSENGER DOOR AT 35-40 MPH, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10107033

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2004

Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT FAILURE, DIMMING AND FLICKERING OF ELECTRIC SYSTEM SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE IN 2001. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING SINCE 2003. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS FOR BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP AND THE LIGHTS CONTI…

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NHTSA ODI #10104749

55,900 miles · Nov 19, 2004

Latches/locks/linkages

SLIDING DOOR ON OLDS SILHOULETTE OPENED AND SHUT BY ITSELF. CHILD WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE AND WAS ALMOST HIT . WE ARE USING THE DOOR AS A MANUAL OPERATION THIS IS GOING TO HURT SOMEONE AT SOMETIME IF NOT CORRECTED. BOTH OF OUR DOORS HAVE ACTED UP. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100188

55,000 miles · Nov 11, 2004

Electrical SystemFire

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATING PAD MALFUNCTIONED BY BURNING ITS WIRE, WHICH IS A HEATING COMPONENT. OCCURRENCE CAUSED A FIRE INSIDE A SEAT THAT HAVE BURNED A PART OF HEATING PAD ITSELF (HEATING PAD APPEARS TO BE MADE OUT OF FLAMMABLE MATERIAL) AND SOME OF THE SEAT FOAM STUFFING (AGAIN APPEARS TO BE FLAMMABLE AS WELL).LUCKILY THE FIRE…

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NHTSA ODI #10098704

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2004

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SINCE APRIL 2004 INTERMITTENTLY, WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, THE CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CABLE ACCELERATOR, COMPUTER MODULE AND THE SENSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10091419

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2004

Steering

RUBBING SOUND INSIDE STEERING COLUMN WHEN STEERRING WHEEL IS TURNED. DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE LUBED THE COLUMN BUT NOISE IS STILL PRESENT. VEHICLE HAS 50000 MILES I AM CONCERNED OF PREMATURE STEERING FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068162

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN. BRAKES PREMATURELY WORE OUT. THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED PREMATURELY AS WELL. THE DOOR SEALS ON THE CAR HAVE SEPARATED A FEW TIMES. THE TIE RODS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEXT CAME THE REAR HEAD GASKET THAT WAS PREMATURELY WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SEAT (HEATER) BROKE AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED. THE MOST CONCERNING PROBLEM IS THE HEAD GASKET. I DID NOT REALIZE WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE HEAD GASKETS CAUSED TO FAIL EARLY FROM THE DEX COOL ANTIFREEZE FLUID. IF I HAD KNOWN THIS I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. I AM TRYING TO GET THE WARRANTY EXTENDED ON THE CAR BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW SUCCESSFUL I WILL BE. PLEASE NOTE THIS VAN IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND ONLY HAS 37000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058760

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2004

Exterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, FORCING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT HEADLIGHT WIRING MELTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10058070

65,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004

Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL PUMP LOSES POWER DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION BLOCK LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE SLIDING DOOR. THE VAN IS SUBJECT TO EITHER FAIL TO START, OR GO DEAD AT ANY TIME. IT HAS GONE DEAD ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65+ MPH

NHTSA ODI #10070522

Official recalls

04V597000 · 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.

02V329000 · Air Bags:frontal

Dec 9, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO A PERSON WHO WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. IT COULD ALSO REDUCE THE AB8ILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT A RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 16, 2002. 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, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3.

01V383000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Dec 13, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS BUILT WITH SECOND ROW 50/50 SPLIT BENCH SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SEAT LATCH ANCHOR WIRE DIAMETER IS GREATER THAN 6.1 MM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LATCH ANCHOR WIRES AND REPAIR THOSE WITH AN IMPROPER DIAMETER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 10, 2002. 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, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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.

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

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.