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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.

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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

Equipment complaints

6 reports
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63,000 miles · Dec 6, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

SLOWLY BUT SURELY, SOME OF MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN FAILING. IT FIRST STARTED WITH LIGHTS BURNING OUT REPEATEDLY, THEN WENT TO TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THEN WENT TO POWER WINDOWS FUNCTIONING IMPROPERLY, THEN THE TEMPERATURE/MPG/OIL DISPLAY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, THEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND THE PROBLE…

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SLOWLY BUT SURELY, SOME OF MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HAVE BEEN FAILING. IT FIRST STARTED WITH LIGHTS BURNING OUT REPEATEDLY, THEN WENT TO TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THEN WENT TO POWER WINDOWS FUNCTIONING IMPROPERLY, THEN THE TEMPERATURE/MPG/OIL DISPLAY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, THEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND THE PROBLEMS GOT EVEN WORSE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE DRIFTING UP TO 3 FEET BACKWARDS IF ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND IN DRIVE. PLEASE CHECK INTO THESE ISSUES AND RESOLVE. I AM SCARED FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY DUE TO THE INCREASING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THIS MAY BE A FIRE HAZARD. WE HAVE TRIED REPLACING THE SWITCHES FOR THE WINDOWS, THE BULBS AND TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. THE ISSUES WITH THE WINDOWS GET BETTER WHEN THE SWITCH IS REPLACED AND THEN GET EVEN WORSE THAN BEFORE IN NO TIME FLAT. IN ADDITION TO THESE ISSUES WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BEARINGS REPEATEDLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10369410

39,000 miles · May 26, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower TrainInjury

2002 SILHOUETTE, 39000 MILES. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. HAD REPAIRED, WITHIN 50 MILES AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS A GRINDING WHEN TURNING RIGHT. BOTH HEATED SEATS DIDN'T HEAT. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OPERATED EXTREMELY SLOW. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT!, $1000!, 39000 MILES FOLKS! AIR SUSPEN…

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2002 SILHOUETTE, 39000 MILES. FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED. HAD REPAIRED, WITHIN 50 MILES AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP, THERE WAS A GRINDING WHEN TURNING RIGHT. BOTH HEATED SEATS DIDN'T HEAT. DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW OPERATED EXTREMELY SLOW. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED REPLACEMENT!, $1000!, 39000 MILES FOLKS! AIR SUSPENSION DID NOT OPERATE CRACKLED. POWER DOORS DID NOT OPEN WHEN SOMETHING GOT IN THE WAY. BRUISED SHOULDER BECAUSE OF THIS. PREMATURE TIRE WEAR, REPLACED TIRES AT 30,000 MILES. ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE. STORED IN A GARAGE MORE HIGHWAY MILES THAN CITY. HOW DID GM WANT TO HELP ME? DEALER DID PAPERWORK WHEN PURCHASING, TRIED TO PUSH OFF A CHEAPER MODEL ON AN ELDERLY WOMEN, AND CHANGED THE PROMISED 5 YEAR WARRANTY TO A 3 YEAR WARRANTY. MOTHER WAS JUST SO HAPPY SHE GOT THE RIGHT VEHICLE TO TAKE HOME, SHE NEVER NOTICED THE CHANGE IN THE WARRANTY. TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER ON REPAIRS SINCE THERE WERE ONLY 39000 MILES, AND WE GOT A 'GEE, REALLY SORRY MA'AM, I UNDERSTOOD, BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT. WENT TO THE GM SERVICE LINE, AND DID NOT GET ANY HELP THERE EITHER, BUT SHE HAD A REAL PURDY FIRST NAME! SEEMED TO ME THESE WERE ALL RECURRING PREMATURE KNOWN FAILURES , YET GM DID NOT CARE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT! IT WAS A SHAME THEY PUSHED THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY SO EXTENSIVELY WHEN THEY HAD ALL THESE VEHICLES ON THEIR LOTS. PEOPLE, WE'VE BEEN HAD. I GREW UP IN OLDSMOBILE, BUT THE MORE I READ ABOUT GM - THE MORE LIKELY I AM TO BUY TOYOTA! THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT I FOUND A DEALER (NOT CLOSE TO HOME THOUGH) THAT WAS WILLING TO AT LEAST REPAIR THE FIRST SET OF WHEEL BEARINGS FOR $100. GOT THAT ON MY OWN, NOT THROUGH GM SERVICE HELP. I JUST HOPE THEY WILL BE AS NICE FOR THE NEXT SET OF WHEEL BEARINGS THAT NEED REPLACEMENT AND FOR THE GASKET THAT WAS JUST DISCOVERED. STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM GM ON THE OTHER ISSUES. (NOT AS AN IMMEDIATE NEED AS THE WHEEL BEARINGS) I'M NOT HOLDING MY BREATH.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10191801

76,000 miles · Apr 17, 2007
EquipmentFuel System, OtherVisibility

1. NO EVENT, JUST FAILED. WINDOWS, FUEL SENSOR AND A/C. 2 . FRONT WINDOW ON 1995 OLDS SILHOUETTE VAN, FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. BOTH FRONT WINDOWS HAVE NOW FAILED. CONSEQUENCES ARE WE ARE UNABLE TO ROLL WINDOWS UP IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. WINDOW ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE,2002 SILHOUETTE VAN HAS FAILED, WILL ROLL DOWN BUT NOT UP.…

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1. NO EVENT, JUST FAILED. WINDOWS, FUEL SENSOR AND A/C. 2 . FRONT WINDOW ON 1995 OLDS SILHOUETTE VAN, FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. BOTH FRONT WINDOWS HAVE NOW FAILED. CONSEQUENCES ARE WE ARE UNABLE TO ROLL WINDOWS UP IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. WINDOW ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE,2002 SILHOUETTE VAN HAS FAILED, WILL ROLL DOWN BUT NOT UP., FOR FROM 1 HOUR TO SEVERAL HOURS.. MOTOR WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ALL, DEALER SAYS. CONSEQUENCES ARE WE CAN'T ROLL WINDOW UP IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. 2. FUEL SENSOR HAS FAILED, GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, STUCK IN CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHEN ON TRIP AND WE SHOWED FULL TANK OF GAS BUT THEN ALARM WENT OFF AND SHOWED EMPTY. 10 MILES FROM STATION. VERY NERVE WRACKING AS WE WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK. MECHANIC PUT A TESTER ON IT, ALTHOUGH THE ALARM WENT OFF AS HE WAS DOING THIS, THE TANK HAD 3/4 FULL..IT ALSO SHOWED IT HAD TWO TIMES CAPACITY OF FUEL IN IT. MECHANIC WAS PUZZLED BY IT ALSO.. SAID IT WAS SENSOR AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE GAUGE SHOWS FULL UNTIL IT IS EMPTY THEN DROPS TO EMPTY AND ALARM SOUNDS. GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY WHEN IT IS SHUT OFF BUT THEN SHOWS FULL WHEN YOU START VAN. 3. MOTOR WAS REPLACED ON 1995 VAN BY A DEALER, THEN BOTH WINDOWS FAILED. ON 2002 VAN, WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE WINDOW MOTOR ON DRIVERS SIDE. BAD PART IS GETTING SNOWED AND RAINED ON WHEN WINDOW STICKS AND WON'T GO UP. AND BEFORE WE HAD A/C FIXED WE COULDN'T USE WINDOWS FOR AIR. HAVE TO REPLACE FUEL SENSOR ON 2002. AD DEALER REPLACE FRONT AC COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER ON 2002 VAN FOR FRONT, BACK IS STILL NOT WORKING. DEALER SAYS SOMETHING IS IN REAR OF VAN THAT HAS TO BE FIXED AS IT DON'T SWITCH FROM HOT TO COLD, STAYS ON HOT. AND IT IS EXPENSIVE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188086

1,000 miles · Sep 14, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. DRIVER ELECTRIC SEAT "REPAIRED" SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. DEALER REPAIRED REAR COMPRESSOR AND BROKE COVER LATCH. THEY PUT A HOLE IN THE FRONT BUMPER AT THIS TIME. PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW CHOOSES NOT TO WORK AT RANDOM AND BACK LEFT SIDE WINDOW SOMETIMES DOES NOT CLOSE. TAPE PL…

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SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. DRIVER ELECTRIC SEAT "REPAIRED" SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. DEALER REPAIRED REAR COMPRESSOR AND BROKE COVER LATCH. THEY PUT A HOLE IN THE FRONT BUMPER AT THIS TIME. PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW CHOOSES NOT TO WORK AT RANDOM AND BACK LEFT SIDE WINDOW SOMETIMES DOES NOT CLOSE. TAPE PLAYER HAS ATE TAPES SINCE PURCHASE. NO AIR CONDITIONING! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10168292

64,442 miles · Aug 24, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AWD DISABLE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WERE REPLACED (FOUR TIMES).*AK THE EVAP SOLENOID, FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TWICE. THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED. THE RIGHT POWER SLIDING DOOR ACTUATOR MODUL…

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AWD DISABLE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WERE REPLACED (FOUR TIMES).*AK THE EVAP SOLENOID, FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TWICE. THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED. THE RIGHT POWER SLIDING DOOR ACTUATOR MODULE FAILED. REAR WIPER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. A/C CONDENSER FAILED. ENGINE FAILED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10114146

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

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.