1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,450miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 7% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,450 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Door would not latch when driving. No power to open door. Also, left front wheel censor malfunctioned for ABS traction control/ transmission failed, and intake manifold leak.”
NHTSA complaint #10001768, filed 2002-12, 86,450 miles“Transmission failed dec. 2000. Replaced by dealer. Failed again 1,000 miles later. Repaired by dealer. 8000 miles later engine light came on-dealer said was transmission problem, would not repair -out of warranty. This been a persistent problem, which started on warranty. Contacted Oldsmobile to put me in contact with local factory rep. Told they would not give me the number and that I was out of warranty and on my own.”
NHTSA complaint #10069645, filed 2004-01“Vehicle purchased from dealer who originally sold it. Some warranty left. Transmission taken to dealer for service. Dealer changed fluid, said metal shavings in transmission pan. This was the first time I had transmission serviced and was told at purchase time that first owner had all maintenance done at dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #754963, filed 2001-11“Vehicle parked. Child entered vehicle & turned key bell chimed. Door automatic locks locked automatically when shifted or pulled. Transaxle shift interlock system failed to work, causing vehicle to be put into gear without applying brakes. Brakes need to be pressed to shift into gear. Vehicle hit tree. No air bag deployment. .et.”
NHTSA complaint #830204, filed 1998-11“Serious safety issue - power assist steering momentarily inoperable on 1/13, 3/12, 4/12, 4/14, 5/11, 5/12 (twice) and 5/13. Occurs when driving through water puddles. Dealer attempted to fix with after market belt. Problem is worse now because length of outage is more brief and just when driver added pressure to steer without power assist it started to work causing overcorrection. Vehicle is currently at dealer for scrutiny. On 4/21, automatic sliding door popped open when car gear shift was moved out of park position. This is not supposed to happen. …”
NHTSA complaint #706661, filed 1999-05Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 6% |
| 2002 | 8 | 14% |
| 2001 | 9 | 12% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 16 | 11% |
| 1998 | 10 | 6% |
| 1997 | 7 | 7% |
| 1996 | 1 | 5% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1993 | 3 | 14% |
| 1992 | 5 | 19% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette
20 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology