1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems
- Complaints
- 43filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 130,464miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 3.1L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The part named most often is seat belts, with 17 complaints (40% of the total), followed by steering (9) and body and structure (7). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 130,464 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the anchorage filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts17 40%
- Steering9 21%
- Body and structure7 16%
- Brakes5 12%
- Electrical system2 4.7%
- Engine cooling2 4.7%
- Equipment2 4.7%
- Fuel system2 4.7%
- Other or unknown2 4.7%
- Seats2 4.7%
Also reported: Vehicle speed control (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Suspension (1), Tires (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Seat belts on driver's side and passenger's side do not retract. Retractor mechanism on the passenger's side was replaced on feb 5, 1999. Vehicle was taken to the dealership. Seat belts have not been repaired. Driver's side seat belt retractor has been broken for over a year, and passenger's side retractor has been broken for about 4 months. Dealer will try to repairs seatbelts, but will charge owner for replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #862350, filed 2000-05Steering: “The steering wheel severed from the steering rack, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Consumer contacted the dealer and the manufacturer. Neither was able to locate the correct VIN to identify the vehicle, and to be able to determine whether the recall work has been done.”
NHTSA complaint #10103678, filed 2004-12, 130,464 milesBody and structure: “The inside handle of the sliding door wil not open the door. I also had to replace the driver's side handle about a year ago when I couldn't open it from the outside. I belive faulty handles are a serious safety hazard, especially if needed during an emergency no matter of the age or milage of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #708599, filed 1999-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 130,464 and 130,464 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silhouette 2WD | 3.1L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 97V058000Apr 8, 1997Body and structureCovers: Oldsmobile Silhouette 1990–1991, Cutlass 1988–1991, Pontiac Grand Prix 1988–1991 +5 more
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…
- 92V012000Jan 28, 1992Structure › BodyCovers: Oldsmobile Silhouette 1990–1991, Pontiac Trans Sport 1990–1991
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.
- 91V046000Mar 15, 1991Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Oldsmobile Silhouette 1990, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1990, Pontiac Trans Sport 1990
A right hand seat/shoulder belt retractor may have been installed in the second row left hand seat position (directly behind driver).
- 89V164000Oct 2, 1989SeatsCovers: Oldsmobile Silhouette 1990, Chevrolet Lumina APV 1990, Pontiac Trans Sport 1990
The rear modular seat frame hold-down hooks may not meet the required pull force at the rear set anchorage.
Recall details for the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette.
Other model years of the Oldsmobile Silhouette
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 11 | 39,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 36 | 51,953 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2002 | 57 | 40,750 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 78 | 57,860 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 114 | 56,500 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 149 | 64,495 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 170 | 80,000 | 7 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 104 | 74,500 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | 118,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 46 | 91,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 36 | 100,000 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 22 | 78,500 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 27 | 97,896 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 37 | 150,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 43 | 130,464 | 4 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Oldsmobile Silhouette model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
NHTSA recorded 43 consumer complaints for the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 17 complaints (40% of the total), followed by steering with 9.
Has the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette (Silhouette 2WD, 3.1L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 130,464 miles and the middle half falls between 130,464 and 130,464 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.