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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

Exterior Lighting 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

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

65,000 miles · Aug 12, 2005
Exterior Lighting

THE FRONT LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY OF THIS VAN AND SISTER VEHICLES PONTIAC MONTANAS AND CHEVROLET VENTURES FILL WITH MOISTURE AND KEEP THE FULL LIGHT FROM SHINING ON THE ROADWAY AND BEING FULLY VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES - THIS HAS OCCURED IN MY VAN TWICE AND I HAVE NOTICED AT LEAST 10 OTHER VANS OF THESE MAKES WITH THE SAM…

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THE FRONT LIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY OF THIS VAN AND SISTER VEHICLES PONTIAC MONTANAS AND CHEVROLET VENTURES FILL WITH MOISTURE AND KEEP THE FULL LIGHT FROM SHINING ON THE ROADWAY AND BEING FULLY VISIBLE TO OTHER VEHICLES - THIS HAS OCCURED IN MY VAN TWICE AND I HAVE NOTICED AT LEAST 10 OTHER VANS OF THESE MAKES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #10132652

46,800 miles · Jul 15, 2005
Exterior Lighting

BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONING, WHEEL HUB & ABS, FUEL PUMP. WHEEL BEARINGS DISABLE AWD. BEEN REPLACED 8 TIMES. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AT 52000 PART ALONE $400. AIR CONDITIONING OUT WHEN BOUGHT IT. THEY SCAMMED ME AND PUT A SEALANT IN THE CONDESER AND SOLD IT IN THE WINTER. THESE ITEM SHOULD BE REPLACED BY GM BECAUSE ITS AN ON GIONG PROBLE…

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BRAKES, AIR CONDITIONING, WHEEL HUB & ABS, FUEL PUMP. WHEEL BEARINGS DISABLE AWD. BEEN REPLACED 8 TIMES. FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AT 52000 PART ALONE $400. AIR CONDITIONING OUT WHEN BOUGHT IT. THEY SCAMMED ME AND PUT A SEALANT IN THE CONDESER AND SOLD IT IN THE WINTER. THESE ITEM SHOULD BE REPLACED BY GM BECAUSE ITS AN ON GIONG PROBLEM WITH THE BEARING HUBS AND A BAD DESIGN ON THE CONDENSER. MY FATHER INLAW WORKS FOR GM ALONG WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT AGAIN!!! P.S. WHO EVER WAS THE BRIGHT ONE TO DESIGN TAIL LIGHT THAT PLUG IN FROM THE TOP AND LET WATER FILL YOU TAIL LIGHT SHOULD BE FIRED!!!DK

NHTSA ODI #10128899

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2005
Exterior Lighting

STOP LAMP BULBS ARE SHORTING OUT AT CONNECTOR TO SOCKETS. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES SO FAR. THREE TIMES ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ONCE ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE RESULT IS A MELTED BASE ON OEM BULBS WITH PLASTIC BASES AND AN INOPERABLE BRAKE LIGHT. FREQUENT FAILURES OF STOP LAMPS CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. 2 OF THE BULBS ARE AVAILABLE

NHTSA ODI #10126270

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2004
Exterior Lighting

REAR TAIL LIGHTS MALFUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. USUALLY AFTER HEAVY RAIN. BULBS BECOME COVERED WITH CORROSION,AND RUST. REPAIR EFFECTED BY OLDS DEALER ONLY TEMPORARILY CORRECTS PROBLEM.DASH INDICATOR SHOWS OPERATIONAL STATUS,LITES DO NOT BLINK. HI-WAY TRAVEL BECOMES SAFETY ISSUE OF UNSAFE LANE CHANGE,NOT DRIVER ERROR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10104503

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.