Model year record

2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette recalls & problems

The 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette has 5 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (6 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints36filed by owners

Crashes · fires6 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths15 · 6reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringFeb 17, 2009

Steering

Recall 09E005000979 vehicles

Problem: 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 REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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 DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

Exterior lightingAug 11, 2008

Headlights

Recall 08E0500001,921 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: 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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkagesDec 22, 2004

Doors › Latch

Recall 04V597000717,302 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsAug 9, 2002

Frontal

Recall 02V222000133,221 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Silhouette 2WD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Silhouette AWD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	6	4	9	90,000 mi
EquipmentMechanical › Accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift; Appliance › Air conditioner	4	0	1	42,000 mi
WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs	4	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	3	0	0	—
Exterior lightingBrake lights; Headlights	3	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	3	0	2	29,675 mi
Seat beltsRear/other; Front › Webbing	2	0	0	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm; Front › Wheel bearing	2	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door › Hinge and attachments; Body	2	1	4	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	2	1	0	—
Engine	2	1	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Injectors	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

EngineCrash2 injuries
T-BONED CROSSING A 4WAY DUE TO VIEW OBSTRUCTION. OTHER PERSON HIT US AT 60 MILES PER HR. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED APPROX. 10 SECONDS AFTER INITIAL IMPACT. *TR
Aug 5, 2013 · 130,000 miles
Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Jan 19, 2015 · 130,000 miles
Structure › BodyCrash3 injuries
FLOMATON, ALA. (AP) - A VAN CROSSED THE MEDIAN OF A HIGHWAY IN SOUTHERN ALABAMA AND COLLIDED WITH A PICKUP TRUCK, KILLING SIX PEOPLE AND INJURING THREE OTHERS IN A CRASH LOCAL AUTHORITIES DESCRIBED AS ONE OF THE WORST THEY HAD EVER SEEN. THE FORCE OF THE COLLISION RIPPED THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION FROM THE VEHICLE AND SCATTERED DEBRIS ALONG MORE THAN 100 YARDS OF HIGHWAY, CPL. JAMES PATTERSON WITH THE STATE PATROL. ``IT LOOKS MORE LIKE AN AIRPLANE CRASH SCENE THAN A CAR CRASH,'' SAID JIM JOHNSON OF THE FLOMATON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. ``THE VAN'S FRONT END JUST DISINTEGRATED. I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH DEBRIS. ALL THE WINDOWS EXPLODED ON IMPACT FROM THE LOOKS OF IT.'' ``THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST…
Jun 7, 2003
Air bagsCrash
I WAS EASTBOUND ON A TWO LANE ROAD, AND AN ESCALADE RAN THE STOP SIGN ON THE DRIVER SIDE , AS I WAS CONTINUING DRIVING I T-BONED THE SUV, MY WHOLE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY RIPPED AND DAMAGED, AND DASHBOARD CRACKED AND LIFTED, MY DAUGHTER WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND EITHER BAGS DEPLOYED. KNOW SUFFER FROM STERNUM AND BACK PAIN WITH CONCUSSION PAIN . *TR
Jan 7, 2014 · 141,000 miles
Exterior lighting
HEAD LAMPS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE STARTED TO HAZE. THE HAZE HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE RESTRICTING THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT. I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS GETTING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD AT 40MPH OR HIGHER IN THE EVENING. THE TURN SIGNALS HAVE A CLEAR LENS OVER THEM AND DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME CONDITION. I HAVE CONTACTED GM. WITH MULTIPLE CALLS, E-MAILS AND A TRIP TO THE DEALER OVER A TWO WEEK TIME FRAME, I WAS CONTACTED BY GM AND TOLD THAT ALTHOUGH IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. MY CONTENTION TO GM WAS I'M SURE WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS RELEASED FOR PRODUCTION THEY HAD NO IDEA THIS CONDITION EXISTED AND HAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS SINCE. I FELT THAT…
Jul 16, 2012 · 130,020 miles
Fuel system, other
REFERENCE INVESTIGATION PE 11-014. THIS ISSUE IS NOT LIMITED TO 2005-2007 GM SUVS. ON 2/26/11, MY 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE STALLED ON INTERSTATE I-75. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER, BUT IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE DARK, WITH FAMILY & KIDS IN THE CAR, WITH ICY, SNOWY ROADS. THE FUEL LEVEL READING INDICATED MORE FUEL AVAILABILITY THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY IN THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL SHOWED BETWEEN 1/16 AND 1/8 OF A TANK, AND THERE WAS NOT A LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT. I HAD TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN STALLED FOR A WHILE, THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ACTIVATED - SO ROAD SERVICE FIRST TRIED PUTTING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. WITH FUEL ADDED TO THE…
Feb 26, 2011 · 101,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmissionCrash
MOST OF THE DAY MAY 8,2010 BEEN DOING SOME CITY BUT MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES. STOPPED FOR AN HOUR AFTER THE FIRST 50 THEN DROVE ANOTHER 40 STOPPING AGAIN FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. DROVE THE LAST 10 HOME AND LEFT CAR IDLING TO GO INTO MY HOUSE FOR APPROXIMATELY 8 MINUTES. MY WIFE STARTED WALKING TO CAR AND WASN'T THERE YET WHEN CAR DROVE FORWARD INTO GARAGE DOOR. SHE JUMPED IN PASSENGER SIDE AND SHIFTER WAS STILL IN PARK. SCRAPED SOME OF THE PAINT OFF OF THE CAR AND SMASHED THE GARAGE DOOR. HAVE NO IDEA HOW OR WHY IT WOULD HAVE DONE THIS. *TR
May 8, 2010 · 145,457 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
ON MAY 27, 2009 I HIT A TREE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE VAN AND THEN HIT ANOTHER TREE HEAD ON. THE AIR BAGS IN THE FRONT AND ON THE SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT AND THANKFUL THERE WERE NO MAJOR INJURIES. *TR
May 27, 2009 · 149,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

POWER-SLIDING DOORClosedLed to recall 04V597000
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…
PE04064 · opened Sep 17, 2004 · closed Dec 22, 2004