1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette
RENDERED 2026-11-01T11:40:36.211Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
170
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

21% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 37 complaints 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 22 complaints 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1996 1997: 104 complaints 1998: 170 complaints 1998 170 1999: 149 complaints 2000: 114 complaints 2000 2001: 78 complaints 2002: 57 complaints 2002 2003: 36 complaints 2004: 11 complaints 2004
1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 37 complaints 1991 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 46 complaints 1995 1996: 20 complaints 1996 1997: 104 complaints 1997 1998: 170 complaints 1998 170 1999: 149 complaints 1999 2000: 114 complaints 2000 2001: 78 complaints 2001 2002: 57 complaints 2002 2003: 36 complaints 2003 2004: 11 complaints 2004
1990: 43 complaints 1990 1991: 37 complaints 1991 1992: 27 complaints 1992 1993: 22 complaints 1993 1994: 36 complaints 1994 1995: 46 complaints 1995 1996: 20 complaints 1996 1997: 104 complaints 1997 1998: 170 complaints 1998 170 1999: 149 complaints 1999 2000: 114 complaints 2000 2001: 78 complaints 2001 2002: 57 complaints 2002 2003: 36 complaints 2003 2004: 11 complaints 2004

1998: 170 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19890
199043
199137
199227
199322
199436
199546
199620
1997104
1998170
1999149
2000114
200178
200257
200336
200411

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 36 reports

Most commonly citing engine and belts and associated pulleys.

Exterior lighting

21% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and concealment devices.

Structure

10% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing door and hood.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Automatic door opens on its own, causing a child's hand to be caught in the door . The dealer has repaired the vehicle. *ak PE04064.pco

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-08-12

Service brakes

9% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

Latches/locks/linkages

9% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The sliding door sensor which made the door retract if there was an object in its passage way malfunctioned. The door slid shut, pining consumer's left hand in the door. Consumer hands sustained soft tissue damage, but didn't break.

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-01-05

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 170 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-04-24Visibility98V072000 Vehicle description: passenger mini vans equipped with traction control systems. The windshield wiper linkage arm can contact a brake line which is connected to the traction control system…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a brake line clip to ensure proper clearance. Also the brake lines will be inspected to any damage caused by this condition and will replace any damaged lines.

  3. R
    1998-06-26Power train98V131000 Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles may have (1) a broken shift cable fitting or (2) loose shift linkage. Consequently, moving the shift lever to a 'park' position may not shift the…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the automatic transaxle range selector cable.

  4. R
    1998-08-18Seats98V145000 Vehicle description: passenger mini vans equipped with bucket seats or a split bench seat in the second (Middle) or third (Back) row. The seat latch mechanisms on bucket seats and on the 40%…

    Remedy: Dealers will install protective covers on the outboard latch mechanisms on all left and right hand rear bucket seats in the second and third row, and to both inboard and outboard latch mechanisms on…

  5. I
    2000-02-16Recall queryClosed 2001-04-20 Traction control
  6. I
    2000-07-25SQClosed 2001-10-22 Unexpected opening of sliding door
  7. I
    2000-11-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2001-01-11 Air bag tear during deployment
  8. R
    2001-04-18Latches/locks/linkages01V067000 Vehicle description: minivans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors. The door closes but may not be latched. If this happens, the power sliding door can open while the vehicle is in…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new un-latch actuator assembly to the power sliding door. This recall has been continued under safety recall 01V-264. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer…

  9. R
    2001-10-22Latches/locks/linkages01V264000 Vehicle description: 1997-2001 Chevrolet venture, Pontiac Montana/transport, and Oldsmobile Silhouette mini vans equipped with passenger side power sliding doors that were serviced in campaign 01013…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if required, install a new power sliding door unlatch actuator assembly. Owner notification began on October 22, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized…

  10. I
    2002-02-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-08-02 Shoulder harness clip
  11. I
    2002-11-18Engineering analysisClosed 2003-11-21 Safety belt assembly failure
  12. I
    2002-11-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-04-09 Rear axle trailing arm failure
  13. R
    2003-01-24Steering02V286000 Certain passenger vehicles and mini vans have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These and some other retainers used…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began January 24, 2003.…

  14. I
    2003-04-23Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Rear axle trailing arm failure
  15. I
    2004-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-12-22 Power-sliding door
  16. R
    2005-05-31Latches/locks/linkages04V597000 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…

    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…

  17. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

  18. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

  19. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "Oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" Brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009. Owners may contact…

Buy-smart checklist

1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Structure: 17 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V072000 · Visibility
  • Recall 98V131000 · Power train
  • Recall 98V145000 · Seats
  • Recall 01V067000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 01V264000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 02V286000 · Steering
  • Recall 04V597000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-20 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.