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2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 40.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

38 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. 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.

1 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

What owners actually said

57 reports
26,000 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN RIBS, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO RECEIVE TREATMENT. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER FELT THAT THE IMPACT WASN'T SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE DRIVE…

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THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN RIBS, AND WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO RECEIVE TREATMENT. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER FELT THAT THE IMPACT WASN'T SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG. (SIDE PUSHED IN 11 1/2 INCHES) *SC

NHTSA ODI #10055652

25,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
EquipmentSeat Belts

SEATBELT-2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE BELT KEEPS PULLING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AND LOCKING. CHILDREN WOULD REFUSE TO WEAR IT BECAUSE OF THE DISCOMFORT. REPLACED AND SEEMS FINE NOW. COMPUTER CONTROL- STILL ONGOING, BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, ALTERNATER HAS BEEN REPLACED, STILL HAPPENING. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,TRACTION CON…

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SEATBELT-2ND ROW PASSENGER SIDE BELT KEEPS PULLING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AND LOCKING. CHILDREN WOULD REFUSE TO WEAR IT BECAUSE OF THE DISCOMFORT. REPLACED AND SEEMS FINE NOW. COMPUTER CONTROL- STILL ONGOING, BATTERY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF, ALTERNATER HAS BEEN REPLACED, STILL HAPPENING. SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL,TRACTION CONTROL OFF INDICATOR LIGHT, ABS INDICATOR LIGHT, AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT, ALL COME ON AT THE SAME TIME. VAN HESITATES AND THE HEADLIGHTS GO DIM THEN BRIGHT. DEALER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT TROUBLE BUT AFTER THEY WORK ON IT, IT GOES AWAY FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND STARTS AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #10071259

62,000 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ACTUATOR WHICH OPERATED THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOORS HARDLY OPERATED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10051946

300 miles · Sep 24, 2003
Back Over PreventionLatches/locks/linkages

SOMETIMES THE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND NOW HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN IN THIS MAKES THE 10TH TIME TO HAVE THE DOORS FIXED. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SAYS THEY FIXED IT AND THEY DIDN'T. THE BACKUP SENSORS WILL NOT WORK. HAVE TAKEN IT IN 2 TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. THE CAN IS IN THE SHOP NOW F…

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SOMETIMES THE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AND NOW HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VAN IN THIS MAKES THE 10TH TIME TO HAVE THE DOORS FIXED. THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SAYS THEY FIXED IT AND THEY DIDN'T. THE BACKUP SENSORS WILL NOT WORK. HAVE TAKEN IT IN 2 TIMES TO GET IT FIXED. THE CAN IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR OVER 1 WEEK AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED AND I TOLD THEM I WAS TAKING IT TO MY LAWYERS OFFICE AND THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND AND SAID THAT IS WASNT FIXED AND THEY HAVE HAD IT THERE FOR 1 WEEK NOW. I HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE DOOR SINCE RIGHT AFTER I TOOK DELIVERY OF THE VAN WHEN PURCHASING IT.

NHTSA ODI #10039466

10,843 miles · Aug 22, 2003
Tires

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT AT THE SIDEWALL WHICH RESULTED IN THE TREAD SEPARATION. HOWEVER, THE SIDEWALL REMAINED ON THE RIM. TIRE INFO: MICHELIN 225/60R16 DOT-HD3VCTHX1802 10-11K MILES ON TIRE NOT ORIGINAL LEFT FRONT TIRE. *PH *SCC *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10031739

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury

MY DAUGHTER'S FINGERS WERE CRUSHED IN MY PARENTS AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON THEIR 2002 OLDSMOBILE SILOUTTE MINIVAN. THE FINGERS BECAME LODGED ON THE INSIDE BACK OF THE DOOR AFTER SHE PUSHED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND REACHED BACK FOR HER SEATBELT. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, EITHER BY THE BUTTON OR THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR…

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MY DAUGHTER'S FINGERS WERE CRUSHED IN MY PARENTS AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR ON THEIR 2002 OLDSMOBILE SILOUTTE MINIVAN. THE FINGERS BECAME LODGED ON THE INSIDE BACK OF THE DOOR AFTER SHE PUSHED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR AND REACHED BACK FOR HER SEATBELT. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, EITHER BY THE BUTTON OR THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. HER FINGERS REMAINED CAUGHT FOR 20 MINUTES WHILE WE WAITED FOR RESCUE. (911 WAS CALLED AND THEY SENT A FIRETRUCK OUT). LUCKILY, THERE WERE NO BROKEN BONES, AND THE EXTENT OF THE INJURY WAS SWELLING AND PAIN. BUT THE SUPPOSED "SAFETY" FEATURE THAT STOPS THE DOOR FROM CLOSING WHEN SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY DID NOT WORK. AFTER THE INCIDENT, UPON TESTING IT OUT, MY DAD HAD TO PUT A LOT OF BODY WEIGHT AGAINST THE DOOR TO STOP IT FROM OPENING. HIS ARM BEING IN THE WAY WAS NOT ENOUGH. CERTAINLY, A CHILD COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE DUE TO BEING CRUSHED IN A DOOR THAT DIDN'T STOP CLOSING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10025827

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2003
StructureInjury

MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVAN, AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CLOSED ON ITS OWN AND CRUSHED ME. THE DOOR WOULD NOT RELEASE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE SIDE BUTTON AFTER ABOUT 20 SEC. I WAS INJURED. I WAS BLOWN OFF BY THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. I AM NOW ANGRY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING …

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MY 2002 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVAN, AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR CLOSED ON ITS OWN AND CRUSHED ME. THE DOOR WOULD NOT RELEASE. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE SIDE BUTTON AFTER ABOUT 20 SEC. I WAS INJURED. I WAS BLOWN OFF BY THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST YEAR. I AM NOW ANGRY BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING THIS WEEK. IRONIC THAT AS I LEAVE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY, THE THING THAT DAMAGED ME IS STILL MALFUNCTIONING. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10021464

12,000 miles · Jan 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. HAD TO MANUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WITH OUT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. ONCE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE IDLE WAS VERY SPARATIC. WHEN REVED TO ENSURE ENOUGH RPM'S TO ALTERNATOR TO CHARGE BATTERY (IN CASE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM), F…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND STALLED. HAD TO MANUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WITH OUT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. ONCE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED THE IDLE WAS VERY SPARATIC. WHEN REVED TO ENSURE ENOUGH RPM'S TO ALTERNATOR TO CHARGE BATTERY (IN CASE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM), FUEL SHUT OFF OCCURED AT 3500 RPM AND WOULD RESUME WHEN RPM'S FELL BELOW 3000.

NHTSA ODI #10004885

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2003
StructureInjury

OUR VAN HAS ONE AUTOMATIC DOOR AND ONE MANUAL DOOR TO ENTER INTO THE BACK SEAT. I PULLED INTO THE GARAGE, TURNED THE VAN OFF, AND MY EIGHT YEAR OLD GRANDSON PUSHED THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR AS HE SAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. NOT KNOWING THAT MY TWO YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER HAD GOTTEN OUT OF HER CHILD SEAT AND WAS BETWEEN TH…

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OUR VAN HAS ONE AUTOMATIC DOOR AND ONE MANUAL DOOR TO ENTER INTO THE BACK SEAT. I PULLED INTO THE GARAGE, TURNED THE VAN OFF, AND MY EIGHT YEAR OLD GRANDSON PUSHED THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR AS HE SAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. NOT KNOWING THAT MY TWO YEAR OLD GRANDAUGHTER HAD GOTTEN OUT OF HER CHILD SEAT AND WAS BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE DOOR, THE DOOR OPENED AND SHE FELL INTO THE TRACK. I CAUGHT THE DOOR AS IT PINNED HER BY THE WAIST IN THE TRACK, BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MOVE. IT TOOK ALL MY STRENGTH TO KEEP IT FROM CRUSHING HER. PLEASE, FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER CHILDREN, MAKE THIS DOOR STOP MOVING IF SOMETHING OR SOMEONE HITS THIS TRACK! SHE IS OK, BUT BRUISED AND SORE. I AM AWARE THAT THERE IS AN OVERRIDE SWITCH TO STOP THE DOOR, BUT IN A PANICK IT DIDN'T COME TO MIND.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10002617

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2002
Seats

WHILE BACKING UP CONSUMER CAN NOT SEE BECAUSE HEAD RESTRAINT IS TO HIGH. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001644

Official recalls

2

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.

02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal

Aug 9, 2002

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

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

1

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.