2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
This year's complaint volume is within 30% 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
- 57
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Suspension
Campaigns on file for 2002
Opened by NHTSA
21% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 57 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 43 |
| 1991 | 37 |
| 1992 | 27 |
| 1993 | 22 |
| 1994 | 36 |
| 1995 | 46 |
| 1996 | 20 |
| 1997 | 104 |
| 1998 | 170 |
| 1999 | 149 |
| 2000 | 114 |
| 2001 | 78 |
| 2002 | 57 |
| 2003 | 36 |
| 2004 | 11 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Suspension
21% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing wheel bearing and hub.
Structure
14% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing door and roof and pillars.
Show complaint excerpts
My 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette minivan, automatic sliding door closed on its own and crushed me. The door would not release. I was able to push the side button after about 20 sec. I was injured. I was blown off by the dealership.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-12
Our van has one automatic door and one manual door to enter into the back seat. I pulled into the garage, turned the van off, and my eight year old grandson pushed the button to open the automatic door as he sat in the front seat.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-13
Vehicle was parked without prior warning the passenger side door electrical door slide open and close intermittenley. And her arm got caught inside of the door.…
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-11
Power train
14% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and axle hubs.
Show complaint excerpts
Automatic transmission; vehicle drifts backwards down a hill in when in drive.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-03-04
Transmission does not hold the van while in drive, even on a slight incline. Car will drift backwards causing a safty issue. It's like driving a manual transmission.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-28
Also filed under Vehicle speed control
Latches/locks/linkages
12% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing latch.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The contact stated that the sliding doors on both the driver and passenger side failed to unlock. The doors also failed to unlock via the manual override function.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-09-02
Seats
12% · 7 reportsMost commonly citing seat heater/cooler and head restraint.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002-08-15Air bags02V222000 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.
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…
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I
2004-09-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-12-22 Power-sliding door
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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
2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 12 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 8 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 8 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V222000 · Air bags
- 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 →FAQ
- Is the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
- The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
- 5 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.