1993 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE

3 recalls — 24 complaints — 20 TSBs

96V015000 Jan 23, 1996
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Consequence
VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
585,182 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
94V100000 May 24, 1994
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
Defect Description
THE SECOND ROW, RIGHT HAND SHOULDER BELT CAN BECOME "PINCHED" BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM. THE SHOULDER BELT MAY NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE 1994 VEHICLES HAVE AN OPTIONAL INTEGRAL (BUILT IN)... Read more
Consequence
IMPROPER SHOULDER BELT RETRACTION DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM PANEL WITH A REDESIGNED TRIM PANEL. ALSO, A CAUTION LABEL WILL BE APPLIED TO THE CHILD SEAT ADVISING THE OWNER NOT TO INSTALL THE SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A VEHICLE WITH A POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR.
5,294 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
94V027000 Jan 4, 1994
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Defect Description
VEHICLE FAILS TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES." THE SAFETY BELT OF THE LEFT THIRD ROW SEAT ON THE SIX PASSENGER VAN AND THE CENTER SECOND ROW SEAT OF THE SEVEN PASSENGER VAN MAY LOCK UP AND CANNOT BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE RETRACTOR.
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE OCCUPANTS OF THESE SEATS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE AFFECTED BELT. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE AT INCREASED RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy
OWNERS ARE BEING ASKED TO INSPECT THEIR VEHICLES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUSPECT RETRACTOR EXHIBITS A LOCKUP CONDITION. BASED ON THIS INSPECTION, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SAFETY BELTS IF THE BELT LOCKS UP. REPLACEMENT OF THE SUSPECT SAFETY BELT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO CONSUMERS FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
157,740 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Complaint Statistics

24 total complaints 1 crashes 4 fires

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP2
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jul 20, 2006
Incident date: Jun 11, 2006
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE STOPPED RETRACTING. THERE WAS NO DISCERNIBLE PRECURSOR TO THIS MALFUNCTION. *NM
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER Apr 30, 2003
Incident date: Mar 28, 2003
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 20, 2003
Incident date: Mar 15, 2003
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INTERIOR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *NLM
Fire
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR Apr 29, 2002
Incident date: May 10, 2001
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT START OPERATING. THE SYSTEM APPEARED "FROZEN" YET WOULD START OPERATING AGAIN IN A FEW HOURS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR WORK. THE SAME PROBLEM APPEARED IN MY 1994 OLDSMOBILE TRUCK SILHOUETTE. THERE IS CLEARLY A D... Read more
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Sep 26, 2000
Incident date: Aug 16, 2000
TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT FRONT TIRE. AT HIGH SPEED THE TIRE FELT LIKE A BALANCE WEIGHT HAD BEEN LOST AND THUMPED. AT LOWER SPEEDS (BELOW 30MPH) THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD "ROCK" LIKE THE FRONT END OR STEERING MECHANISM WAS LOOSE AND WOULD PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT. CONTINUED HIGH SPEED DRIVING COU... Read more
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Jul 7, 2000
WINDSHIELD IS DELAMINATING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *ML
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jun 29, 2000
Incident date: Jun 6, 2000
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE APPEARED TO BE SLIDING. BRAKES WOULD GRAB/LOCK UP INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM WAS REOCCURRING. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER A RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jul 21, 1999
Incident date: Oct 12, 1995
OUR MINI-VAN REAR-ENDED A CADILLAC IN LINE AT A STOP LIGHT. THE TRAFFIC HAD STOPPED DUE TO A BACKUP, BUT THE LIGHT WAS GREEN, AND IT WAS LATE WHEN MY WIFE HIT THE BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST GM DEALER, MEIER OLDS, TO HAVE THE BRAKE SYSTEM CHECKED. MY WIF... Read more
Crash
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Mar 12, 1999
Incident date: Aug 26, 1997
MANUFACTURER CONTACTED - THEY CLAIM THESE PARTS WERE ALREADY FIXED - WILL NOT FIX AGAIN
CHILD SEAT:HARNESS BUCKLE:INFANT Jan 25, 1999
Incident date: Dec 15, 1998
WE RAN INTO A CURB AT ABOUT 40 MPH. MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE SEATBELT BEHIND THE DRIVER, DETACHED (THE CLASP FROM THE BUCKLE) AND MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR SEAT WERE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE SEATBELT ... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jan 25, 1999
Incident date: Dec 15, 1998
WE RAN INTO A CURB AT ABOUT 40 MPH. MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE SEATBELT BEHIND THE DRIVER, DETACHED (THE CLASP FROM THE BUCKLE) AND MY DAUGHTER AND THE CAR SEAT WERE THROWN FORWARD INTO THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE SEATBELT ... Read more
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK May 6, 1998
Incident date: May 1, 1998
STEEL CABLE WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE FELL OFF IN THE CONSUMER'S DRIVE WAY. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK May 5, 1998
Incident date: May 1, 1998
CABLE HOLDING SPARE TIRE RUSTED AND WHEEL FEEL OFF.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER Dec 4, 1997
Incident date: Jun 15, 1997
REAR WHEEL CYLINDER FAILED.
SEATS Dec 4, 1997
Incident date: Jun 15, 1997
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 4, 1997
UNSATISFACTORY RESULTS OF RECALL CAMPAIGN RESULTED IN THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE TO RUPTURE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Aug 8, 1997
Incident date: Aug 4, 1997
DRIVING OFF INTERSECTION; APPLIED BRAKES & PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR; TURNED VEHICEL AROUND & HEADED HOME. CHECKED & NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON BOTH WHEELS. ALSO BRAKE LINES/HOSES COMPLETELY SHOT. HAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES Jul 17, 1997
Incident date: Jun 28, 1996
TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE RUPTURED, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jul 17, 1997
Incident date: Apr 7, 1997
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Sep 10, 1996
Incident date: Aug 1, 1996
FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER/LAP BELT WON'T RETRACT, BELTS FULLY EXTENDED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES Apr 17, 1996
Incident date: Jul 10, 1995
BATTERY CABLES SHORTED OUT, CAUSING ENGINE FIRE. *DSH
Fire
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY Jan 30, 1996
Incident date: Jan 25, 1996
PREMATURE WEAR OF TIE ROD END. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Jul 26, 1995
Incident date: Jul 10, 1995
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, UNKNOWN REASON. TT
Fire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES Mar 3, 1995
Incident date: Feb 24, 1995
WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH, VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE THAN SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE UPON STOPPING DUE TO TRANS COOLER LINE BROKE SPRAYING FLUID ON EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Fire

Technical Service Bulletins — 1993 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE

20 manufacturer communications from 18 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION3
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2
106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY2
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
112000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR1
071100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
130089009 Sep 1, 2013
061600 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
01880 Jan 1, 2004
100000 POWER TRAIN
NO TCC APPLY, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON, TCC SURGE, POSSIBLE P0740, P1870, OR 39 AFTER INSTALLATION OF A REMAN (SRTA) 4T60/4T60E. *TT
990730030A Apr 1, 2001
106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
OWNERS OF SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60, 4T60-E OR 4T65-E TRANSAXLES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN STANDING IN PARK ON A HILL OR SLOPE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING
990730030 Dec 1, 1999
106000 POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRA-MATIC 3T40, 4T60 OR 4T60-E TRANSXALES MAY COMMENT ON A GRINDING AND / OR GROWLING NOISE THAT IS NOTICEABLE WHEN IN PARK ON INCLINE. *TT
876002A Jul 1, 1998
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
SOME V6 ENGINES MAY, ON A VERY INFREQUENT BASIS, HAVE AN OIL ODOR CONDITION THAT IS GENERALLY ENCOUNTERED AFTER THE ENGINE'S OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED.TYPICALLY THE ODOR LASTS APPROXIMATELY 1000 MILES AFTER THE CHANGE OF OIL AND THEN DOES NOT RE
970801735026 Aug 1, 1997
036000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMMENT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) 46 AND 86 SET AS CURRENT OR HISTORY. *YC
96067 Feb 1, 1997
063130 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
POLICY ADJUSTMENT - LINEAR EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION SYSTEM. *TW
238106 Feb 1, 1997
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS (TIGHTEN LOOSE GROUND NUT G105). *TW
577106A Feb 1, 1997
105300 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
COLD START RATTLE NOISE (DIAGNOSIS/SERVICE PROCEDURE). *TW
577106A Dec 1, 1996
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW
9573T4001 Aug 1, 1995
105000 POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
GRINDING AND/OR GROWLING NOISE IN PARK ON INCLINE.*SD
576104 May 1, 1995
180000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UNKNOWN
576113 May 1, 1995
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
UNKNOWN
531202 Mar 1, 1995
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
NEW A/C CONTROL ASSEMBLY. *TW
531202 Mar 1, 1995
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
UNKNOWN
537101 Feb 1, 1995
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FLUID SEEPS AROUND CLAMP AT TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE. *TW
577106 Feb 1, 1995
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COLD START RATTLE NOISE. *TW
436303 Jan 1, 1995
071100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK THUD/CLUNK. *TW
431051 Dec 1, 1994
162300 STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
SLIDING DOOR RATTLES. *TW
438141 Dec 1, 1994
112000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
GRADUAL LOSS OF POWER/LOW VOLTAGE READING. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations — OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ00006 Opened: Feb 16, 2000 — Closed: Apr 20, 2001
RQ — Closed — Model Year: 1997
TRACTION CONTROL

OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE across all model years (1990–2004).

77 Total Recalls
1,287 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
65 Reported Crashes
27 Reported Fires
14 Reported Deaths

OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2004 3 12 View
2003 5 40 View
2002 5 102 View
2001 9 113 View
2000 8 139 View
1999 7 186 View
1998 10 225 View
1997 9 155 View
1996 2 24 View
1995 2 60 View
1994 4 43 View
1993 (current) 3 24
1992 2 29 View
1991 3 57 View
1990 5 68 View

Other OLDSMOBILE Models

Model Recalls Complaints
CUTLASS 101 2,253 View
88 46 1,228 View
BRAVADA 46 1,350 View
98 41 417 View
OMEGA 36 5 View
INTRIGUE 32 1,608 View
TORONADO 27 45 View
ALERO 21 2,936 View