1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette most often describe two kinds of trouble: headlight lens covers that come loose or fall off, and power steering that briefly quits, particularly in wet weather or at low speed. Complaints also frequently describe the passenger-side sliding door failing to stay latched, and intake manifold gasket leaks on the V6 that mix coolant with oil. Reports span a wide mileage range, from near-new vehicles to well past 100,000 miles.

1. 1
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Passenger sliding door does not stay latched

   • 13 complaints (13%)
   • median 30,111 mi at 8.1 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2006

   Owners report the passenger-side sliding door closing but not latching, then popping open while the vehicle is moving, sometimes when pulling out of park, turning or on rough roads. Several complaints say the door opened again after the sliding door recall work was completed, and that dealers attributed it to road surface or said nothing further could be done. In cold weather, some owners say the door will not stay shut at all. Reported from very low mileage through roughly 80,000 miles and beyond, with some owners noting cold weather makes it worse.

   Recall 04V597000Recall 01V264000Recall 01V067000

   What to check: Ask for documentation that the sliding door latch campaigns were completed and whether the door has reopened since; open and close the door several times, including on a slope or rough pavement, and confirm the latch holds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The automatic sliding doors rattled and reopened once the were shut. When closing the door it locks on its own. Once the vehicle locks on its own consumer is not able to get out. Consumer tries to open the doors with the remote control, but with no luck. Consumer has to wait until it unlocks to exit.”

   NHTSA complaint #10106720, filed 2005-01, 15,223 miles

   “Recall #01 v 264 000/sliding door:intermittently the automatic sliding door would open by itself while driving. The dealer has made repairs on this door approximately 2 year ago, now the problem is recurring.”

   NHTSA complaint #10111721, filed 2005-02, 7,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight lens cover falls off / moisture in lamp

   • 16 complaints (15%)
   • median 54,500 mi at 6.8 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2004

   Owners describe the clear plastic cover over the headlight coming loose and falling off while driving, sometimes leaving the bulb exposed and burning out when it rains. Several report moisture collecting inside the lamp housing, and some say the same happened on both sides within a short time. Complaints mention dealers calling it a common problem on these minivans and, in some cases, an extended warranty on the part limited by mileage. Reported from low mileage up to about 100,000 miles, with several owners noting moisture problems from when the vehicle was new.

   What to check: Inspect both headlight assemblies for loose or missing lens covers, cracked housings and condensation inside the lens; check that both low and high beams work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The cover for the headlight just fell off of the car. My mechanic said that moisture got into the headlight and caused the glue to fail. We had taken it in twice for this problem when the car was new.”

   NHTSA complaint #10052751, filed 2004-01, 7,250 miles

   “The right side plastic headlight cover came off while driving, the vehicle rolled over it breaking it. When I checked the other lens cover it was about to fall off as well, I was able to reglue it. The dealer told me that it was a common problem with that vehicle, including the chevy venture, and the pontiac montana. The dealer said that the warrenty on this part was extended but only to 50,000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #747177, filed 2001-06
3. 3
   Steering

   Power steering cuts out briefly, often in wet weather

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 9,000 mi at 1.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2004

   Complaints describe the steering assist dropping out for a moment, usually at low speed, while turning from a stop, or after driving through water or a puddle, so the wheel becomes hard to turn. Some owners also report a squeal like a slipping belt at the same time. Dealers are described as telling owners the steering was working normally and the belt was adjusted, with the symptom returning afterward. Reported across a wide mileage range; several owners tie it to rain, puddles or wet roads at low speed.

   Recall 02V286000

   What to check: Ask whether the rack and pinion was replaced under the lower pinion bearing campaign, check the power steering fluid level and belt condition, and test slow turns after driving through water if possible.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steering becomes inoperable momentarily in wet driving conditions at slow speed. Occasionally, when turning while driving in wet conditions a squeal sound such as belts slipping can be heard. Steering becomes difficult when turning from a complete stop. Dealer was advised on two occasions. According to the dealer steering is working and belts are properly adjusted. The most recent incident happened in wet weather while pulling into a street from a driveway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #702247, filed 1999-01

   “Upon using the passenger's sliding door and locking the door and consumer putting vehicle into drive, the door will pop open. Also, when driving through some water vehicle will lose power steering.”

   NHTSA complaint #836729, filed 1999-05
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Intake manifold gasket leak (coolant loss)

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • median 79,978 mi at 6.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2006

   Complaints describe the intake manifold gasket failing on the V6, with coolant leaking into the engine or oil, leading to repeated coolant loss and in some cases engine replacement. Owners report being told the repair was outside warranty by a few thousand miles and that requests for help were declined, while others describe the gasket as a known weak point on this engine. Some mention a lack of floor heat alongside the gasket problem. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 135,000 miles; several owners note the failure occurred shortly after the mileage warranty ended.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for coolant smell or milky residue under the oil filler cap, ask whether the intake manifold gasket has been replaced and with which material, and request service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The issue we ran into last year is where the intake manifold gasket leaked causing coolant to leak into the engine. We took it into our local dealer, pearson pontiac, gms, olds in sunnyvale, on march 21 2002. Around that time both myself and the dealer, at least that is what I was told, called Oldsmobile customer service asking for assistance since the van was at 41788 miles, 5k miles out of mileage warranty, and the belief on my part that a major engine repair was not reasonable for a van with only 41k miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10069766, filed 2004-01, 41,788 miles

   “No floor heat in 1997 olds Silhouette. Mechanic did not find cause of problem but did note that an un associated problem was occuring. The original plastic intake manifold gasket was failing. After investigating and researching I have found that both the lack of heat in the front of this vehicle and worse yet the failing of the gasket are common problems with this vehicle. I am scheduled to have both problems taken care of on 12/28/2005. The estimate (no tellsing the cost to repair the heat until they get into it) will run at least $700. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10144413, filed 2005-12, 135,400 miles
5. 5
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Wipers stop working in snow and ice

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 3.6 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners report the windshield wipers quitting during rain or snow, with snow and ice packing into the gap between the hood and the windshield and stopping the linkage. Some describe wiping performance dropping off even after switching speeds, and one owner reports the wiper arm rubbing a brake line. Repairs are described as done at the owner's cost, with reimbursement requests to the manufacturer. Reported in rain and winter conditions; mileage is not consistently stated in the complaints.

   Recall 98V072000

   What to check: Run the wipers at every speed setting, clear the cowl area of debris, and ask whether the wiper linkage has been checked against the brake line routing described in the wiper linkage campaign.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving in rain, traveling 45mph, had windshield wipers on intermittently, and then turned to normal, and windshield wipers didn't take care of the water. Then turned to high speed. Dealer repaired problem at owner's cost. Contacted manufacturer, owner seeking reimbursement.”

   NHTSA complaint #861669, filed 2000-05

   “Consumer states that after recall 01v264000 repairs were done for sliding door, door still will not stay closed. The last time the vehicle was repaired, the problem has reoccured, and was worse than before. The door opens when vehicle is in park. Now it doesn't open with the remote. Consumer states this vehicle has been problematic since purchase. The windshield leaks.the windshield has been replaced twice and taken out and resealed twice. The brakes have been relined twice.”

   NHTSA complaint #8018068, filed 2002-09

Buying note. Check the headlight lens covers, sliding door latch and wiper function carefully, and ask for records showing the steering and door campaigns were completed. On the V6, confirm whether the intake manifold gasket has been replaced and look for coolant loss before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.