1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems
- Complaints
- 37filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The part named most often is body and structure, with 11 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seat belts (9) and steering (9). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 150,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 8 an injury, 3 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns 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.
- Body and structure11 30%
- Seat belts9 24%
- Steering9 24%
- Brakes3 8.1%
- Suspension3 8.1%
- Electrical system2 5.4%
- Seats2 5.4%
- Tires2 5.4%
Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Fuel system (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Body and structure: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10122254, filed 2005-05, 173,306 milesSeat belts: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10073486, filed 2004-05, 150,000 milesSteering: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10130421, filed 2005-07, 150,000 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #717860, filed 2000-01Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 150,000 and 173,000 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 1991 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.
Recall details for the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 11 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seat belts with 9.
Has the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?
The EPA rates the 1991 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 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 150,000 miles and the middle half falls between 150,000 and 173,000 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 31, 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.