1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Oldsmobile › Silhouette › 1991
These records cover every 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Newest first.
This IS not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it IS deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. vehicle description: minivans equipped with front bucket seats. the front seat recliner mechanism lower bolts can loosen. a loose bolt could fatigue and break, resulting in the seat back falling rearward.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The seat could suddenly fall backward, distracting the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten or replace the bolts at no charge to the owners. this policy IS in effect until june 30, 2002.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and MINI vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont and wisconsin. the rear cradle bolts pull through the retainers due to corrosion of the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If this were to occur while the vehicle was in motion, a vehicle crash could result.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear cradle bolts and retainers.
The glove compartment door will not remain closed during certain load forces associated with a vehicle crash. This does not comply with the requirements of fmvss 201.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of an accident, the glove compartment doormay open and result in occupant(s) injuries from contact with the glovecompartment door.
Remedy
Replace the current upper glove compartment door with a redesigned upper glove compartment door which incorporates a positive latch to keep the door closed should a vehicle crash occur.
Owner complaints
37 complaints4 involved a crash2 involved a fire8 injuries3 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure › Frame and members
Dt: contact stated rear cradle bolts and retainers rusted and disconnected the steering while they were driving. contact noticed this around june. Was at a stop sign and started to make a right hand turn and noticed there was no steering. dealer said that cradle bolts rusted and fixed it.…
Dt: contact stated rear cradle bolts and retainers rusted and disconnected the steering while they were driving. contact noticed this around june. Was at a stop sign and started to make a right hand turn and noticed there was no steering. dealer said that cradle bolts rusted and fixed it. gm stated consumer's vehicle was not included in recall 97v058000 due to vin although it had the same failure as mentioned in the recall.*ak
- Electrical system › Wiring · Engine and engine cooling · Steering › Electric power assist system · Suspension
Dt: consumer states 1991 oldsmobile silhouette was having mechanical problems. It was a leased by the consumer. The vehicle needed the spark plugs for the engine, power steering line, shocks, brake work, and a tune up. The engine had to have the module replaced. This was supposed to be under a…
Dt: consumer states 1991 oldsmobile silhouette was having mechanical problems. It was a leased by the consumer. The vehicle needed the spark plugs for the engine, power steering line, shocks, brake work, and a tune up. The engine had to have the module replaced. This was supposed to be under a warranty that they purchased from the dealership. The dealer will not repair any of the parts. dealer said that he did not want to deal with the problems or the van anymore. Dealer a could do the repairs, but he was not licensed to do the work. The van had been in the dealership for repairs 3 times. Consumer said the van needed to go back right now for more work, but it will cost $971.34 for the work. The owner called the dealer, and the dealer kept yelling and complaining that he did not want to do the work anymore. This had been a problem since the day consumer bought the vehicle. The dealer told the consumer yesterday to take the car somewhere else. The wiring harness also needs replacement.*ak
- Steering › Rack and pinion · Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
Driving down the road came to a stop sign, made a right hand turn tried to straighten the wheels out. the steering wheel just kept spinning around and around. was able to manuever the vehicle to the side of the road. failure was: the rear cradle bolts through the retainers due to corrosion…
Driving down the road came to a stop sign, made a right hand turn tried to straighten the wheels out. the steering wheel just kept spinning around and around. was able to manuever the vehicle to the side of the road. failure was: the rear cradle bolts through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer and the rear cradle dropped down and caused the steering shaft to disconnect from the steering gear. therefor the car would no longer steer. we ave a four year old and a six year and had we been going 50 mph this could had been a serious catastrophe. I called gm and informed them of this problem and asked if there were any recalls on this, they said no but took the information and would keep it on record in case there are more occurances of this situation. I then went to the computer and checked the nhtsa recall information, and found that there there was one on the 1990 pontiac grand prix and minivans. we have the oldesmobile equivalent of the pontiac transport. the recall date was 4/8/1997, the vehicle component affected IS the structure and the nhtsa recall number IS 97v058000. I then called gm back with this information, because the pontiac transport that was recalled IS the same vehicle as the oldesmobile silhouette that I am driving. they said that because its an olds and not a pontiac it would not be covered under the recall, even though they are identical vehicles. one additional concern, IS that there may be many other simnilar oldsmobile silhouette and chevrolet lumina vans that could experience these same malfunctions. if this shold happen to someone at higher speeds and with the total loss of steering when this structure breaks loose could be disasterous for the person driving the vehicle and its passengers as well as any oncoming vehicles. I would like this investigated and feel strongly that these other gm models should also be recalled.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Front passenger side seat belt failed to retract back into its holster. This resulted in the front passenger not being restrained in case of an accident. dealership was contacted, but was unable to resolve the problem. *ak
- Seat belts › Front
Front seat belt will not retract. *la
- Steering › Column
While traveling on the highway and make a left turn the steering column broke. *Ak
- Steering › Column locking › Anti-theft device
While traveling about 45mph on the highway and without prior warning steering wheel locked, going around in circle.*ak
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage · Structure › Body › Door
Problem #1 - on the front passenger door the door shuts around a metal knob that IS part of the door. the metal knob comes off of the vehicle making the door impossible to shut. this has happened twice. problem #2 - the front passenger seatbelt will not retract into the holder and so it IS loose and will not protect the passenger adequately. nlm
- Structure
I have not received recall #97v058/manufactuer's recall no 97016 notice concerning rear cradle bolts. I would like to now if you are ever going to tak e care of this problem in minnesota I would reall like to get this done . thank you.*ak
- Tires › Tread/belt
Tread separated off right rear kelly tire causing van to lose control and roll, killing all three passengers on board, on 7/16/99, where legal speed limit was 75 mph. *ak( dot number: c2t9k far tire size: 20570r14 )
- Tires
15 inch tires, original equipment with oldsmobile silhoutte 1991. Consumer was driving at approximately 80 mph when front passenger tire blew out ,tread completely shredded,and caused damage to side of vehicle. Next day front driver's tire experienced the same defect. It also caused damage to the side of vehicle. Consumer had all four tires replaced with firestone st70c. *ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar · Structure › Frame and members
Frame separated from vehicle while driving, pulling the steering shaft out, resulting in loss of steering. dealer has been notified.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
The sliding door on the right side will not open from inside, leaving the back and rear passengers no way to quickly escape in an emergency. I understand this a widespread problem on gm minivans, and I would like to know what IS being done about it. *Ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
In a parking lot went to open the sliding door and the door would not slide open. was trying to get inside the driver's side door and was not able to. made the necessary repairs themselves. it appear that the lock mechanism broke off inside the door. *ak
- Structure › Frame and members
When traveling 35 mph the h frame, which IS attached to the main frame, washer and nuts rusted out, causing complete loss of steering control. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced parts. Please provide any further details. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Outside door handles on the driver's side had to be replaced due to cracking and fatigue. Dealer has repaired the door handles. *ak
- Structure › Body › Door
Driver's outside door handle broke. door cannot be opened from the outside. please provide further information. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
While driving @ 30mph, smelled something burning. Fire originated under the hood. Fire department put fire out, determined that carburetor/t had too much gas. Repairwork not done. Problem still exists. Provide further information. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front
Most of the seat belts have failed on vehicle. seat belts will not retract and are useless. bolts are so difficult to remove that I am not replacing the expensive front passenger belt.
- Structure › Body › Door
Both front doors have the same problem
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
Both front seat belts are inoperable.
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Ea97019, in an accident, the defective driver's seatback collapsed backwards upon impact, causing injuries. *ak
- Suspension › Rear
Right rear wheel, with axle, broke off while driving. caused vehicle to flip 3 times.
- Wheels
While driving on highway right rear wheel disconnected, lost control, vehicle flipped over three times, resulting in an accident/injuries. *ak
- Suspension › Rear
Recall #97v058: received recall notice june 11, 97. made an appointment the same day. Took vehicle in for repair and was told that they do not have the parts. Took in again on 7-10-97, still no parts and was told that they do know when they will have the parts. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Engine cradle separation
The engine cradle front bolts and/or retainers may fail, allowing the front of the engine cradle to fall, possibly separating the steering intermediate shaft from the steering gear, with complete loss of steering control
- Cradle bolt failures
There is no summary currently available
- Front seat back collapse
Alleged front seat back collapse due to recliner bolt
- Front seat back collapse
Subject vehicles are alleged to experience inadvertent front seat back collapse due to fracture of front seat recliner mounting bolts.
- Apv fuel line fires
There is no summary currently available
- Apv fires
Apv fires
- Apv fuel line fires
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
- 10007559No tcc apply, malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, tcc surge, possible p0740, p1870, or 39 after installation of a reman (srta) 4t60/4t60e.
- 615073Some 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 reappear until the next change of oil.
- 39075Fuel tank thud/clunk.
- 37936Sliding door rattles.
Every Oldsmobile Silhouette model year
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