1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 10%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,150miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the visibility of the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 10% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,150 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“When turning the vehicle off, the horn continuously sounded and all the doors automatically locked. The doors could not be manually opened. The consumer had to turn the vehicle on and wait for a period of five to ten minutes and then turn the vehicle off to get out of the vehicle. Also, power steering fluid had to be added every 10,000 miles and the vehicle overheated due to faulty gaskets. The engine had been replaced twice. …”
NHTSA complaint #10064708, filed 2004-05, 9,000 miles“Front windshield has been replaced twice in 12 months. Break initiated in upper driver side corner and travels into field of vision. With windshield out, you can see severe rusting at the corner, no where else. The rust is all the way through the roof panel and is not visible once the windshield is replaced. I was advised not to go through any car washes, to avoid any undo pressues on the driverside quarter of the roof and when it breaks again to have the windshield replaced in a body shop where that section of the roof can be replaced so it won't happen again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129262, filed 2005-07, 171,300 miles“While driving approximately 55 MPH glass in the sliding side door unexpectedly shattered, causing glass to fly into the passenger compartment. Consumer claims vehicle did not hit any obstacle in the road that could have caused this problem to occur. Dealership has not examined the vehicle for this problem. Please provide any additional information / documentation.”
NHTSA complaint #8002547, filed 2002-01“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“Right door window inoperative-would not go back up. Left door window inoperative-would not go back up. (december 2002) window wiper arm rubbed hole in brake line, caused brakes to fail resulting in accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10069975, filed 2004-01Related recalls
- 98V072000Apr 7, 1998Vehicle description: passenger mini vans equipped with traction control systems. The windshield wiper linkage arm can contact a brake line which is connected…Covers: Oldsmobile Silhouette 1997–1998, Chevrolet Venture 1997–1998, Pontiac Trans Sport 1997–1998
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 3% |
| 2002 | 4 | 7% |
| 2001 | 4 | 5% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 10 | 6% |
| 1997 | 10 | 10% |
| 1996 | 4 | 20% |
| 1995 | 7 | 15% |
| 1994 | 9 | 25% |
| 1993 | 3 | 14% |
| 1992 | 1 | 4% |
| 1991 | 3 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette
20 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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