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: 5 of 37 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.
Structure. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
37 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2000
Tires
15 INCH TIRES, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH OLDSMOBILE SILHOUTTE 1991. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH WHEN FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT ,TREAD COMPLETELY SHREDDED,AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO SIDE OF VEHICLE. NEXT DAY FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT. IT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD…
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15 INCH TIRES, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH OLDSMOBILE SILHOUTTE 1991. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH WHEN FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT ,TREAD COMPLETELY SHREDDED,AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO SIDE OF VEHICLE. NEXT DAY FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT. IT ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED WITH FIRESTONE ST70C. *AK
NHTSA ODI #869136
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2000
SteeringStructure
FRAME SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING, PULLING THE STEERING SHAFT OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #865418
Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE WILL NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE, LEAVING THE BACK AND REAR PASSENGERS NO WAY TO QUICKLY ESCAPE IN AN EMERGENCY. I UNDERSTAND THIS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON GM MINIVANS, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #717860
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
IN A PARKING LOT WENT TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOOR AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT SLIDE OPEN. WAS TRYING TO GET INSIDE THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND WAS NOT ABLE TO. MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS THEMSELVES. IT APPEAR THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM BROKE OFF INSIDE THE DOOR. *AK
NHTSA ODI #855220
Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2000
Structure
WHEN TRAVELING 35 MPH THE H FRAME, WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE MAIN FRAME, WASHER AND NUTS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854803
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1999
Structure
OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKING AND FATIGUE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE DOOR HANDLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854365
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 1999
Structure
DRIVER'S OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854291
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 1999
Fuel System, GasolineFire
WHILE DRIVING @ 30MPH, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT FIRE OUT, DETERMINED THAT CARBURETOR/T HAD TOO MUCH GAS. REPAIRWORK NOT DONE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844065
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1998
Seat Belts
MOST OF THE SEAT BELTS HAVE FAILED ON VEHICLE. SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT AND ARE USELESS. BOLTS ARE SO DIFFICULT TO REMOVE THAT I AM NOT REPLACING THE EXPENSIVE FRONT PASSENGER BELT.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.
Remedy: REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
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
7
EA00011 · Engine Cradle Separation
Opened Apr 10, 2000 · Closed Jan 12, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
THE ENGINE CRADLE FRONT BOLTS AND/OR RETAINERS MAY FAIL, ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE CRADLE TO FALL, POSSIBLY SEPARATING THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FROM THE STEERING GEAR, WITH COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
RQ97017 · Cradle Bolt Failures
Opened Oct 2, 1997 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
EA97019 · Front Seat Back Collapse
Opened Sep 30, 1997 · Closed Jun 8, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
ALLEGED FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO RECLINER BOLT
PE97016 · Front Seat Back Collapse
Opened Apr 7, 1997 · Closed Sep 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE ALLEGED TO EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE DUE TO FRACTURE OF FRONT SEAT RECLINER MOUNTING BOLTS.
EA92035 · Apv Fuel Line Fires
Opened Oct 30, 1992 · Closed Nov 30, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
DP92012 · Apv Fires
Opened Jun 9, 1992 · Closed Jun 25, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
APV FIRES
PE92052 · Apv Fuel Line Fires
Opened Jun 4, 1992 · Closed Oct 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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