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: 1 of 2 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.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
90,000 miles · Jan 14, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DEFECT IN INTAKE MANIFOLD, IN MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE VAN, WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL. THIS WAS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND I WAS LEFT GETTING RIDES FROM NEIGHBORS. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE $1000.00 TO $2000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX. I AM A MOTHER OF SIX AND DO NOT…
Read full complaint
DEFECT IN INTAKE MANIFOLD, IN MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE VAN, WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL. THIS WAS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION TO WORK AND I WAS LEFT GETTING RIDES FROM NEIGHBORS. I TOOK THE VAN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE $1000.00 TO $2000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX. I AM A MOTHER OF SIX AND DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO SHELL OUT. THE VAN BROKE DOWN ON MY WAY TO WORK, AND I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VAN THAT I CANNOT DRIVE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10106295
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2000
Exterior Lighting
INSIDE OF HEADLIGHT SHIELD FOG UP,GREATLY REDUCING LIGHT OUTPUT. DEALER REPLACED IN FIRST INSTANCE,NOW OTHER SIDE GOING BAD. EVEN WHEN WORKING PROPERLY, HEADLIGHTS INADEQUATE FOR SAFE HIGHWAY/RURAL ROAD ILLUMINATION! *AK
NHTSA ODI #723849
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 Oldsmobile Oldsmobile Truck Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year