1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on coolant leaks from the intake manifold gasket, which owners often find between roughly 45,000 and 100,000 miles and describe as progressing from a slow loss of coolant to overheating and, in some cases, engine damage. Headlamp lenses coming loose or falling off and power sliding door latching problems are also frequently reported, and several owners note their van was not covered by the related steering rack or door-latch recalls because of its VIN or build date.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leak from intake manifold gasket

   • 17 complaints (10%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,700 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2008

   Owners describe a low coolant light, coolant pooling on or near the intake manifold, poor heater performance, and overheating. Complaints say the dealer or an independent mechanic traced this to a failed intake manifold gasket and replaced it, in some cases more than once. Several owners report that coolant mixing with the oil led to oil degradation, low oil pressure, or engine damage; others say they caught the leak early and only needed the gasket replaced. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 100,000 miles, often noticed first as a slow coolant loss.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for residue around the intake manifold, and ask whether the intake manifold gasket has been replaced and when. Look at the oil for a milky or discolored appearance.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Faulty intake manifold on 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette has caused an engine failure. This failure occurred while my pregnant wife (3 days past due) was driving our 5 yr old son home from the dentist. She was driving 40 MPH on a high traffic road when the engine failed! This sudden engine failure could have caused a serious accident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10008118, filed 2003-02, 80,000 miles

   “My 1998 olds minivan started to over heat while my wife was transporting our children and foster children. When this happens she must pull over to let the engine cool creating a safety hazard. The Oldsmobile dealer says the intake gasket is leaking coolant and the repair cost is over $600. I have learned this is manufacturing defect that GM has had many complaints on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10016400, filed 2003-04, 59,000 miles
2. 2
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Power sliding door fails to latch or opens on its own

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2009

   Complaints describe the passenger-side power sliding door closing but not latching, opening by itself while driving, or failing to open and close automatically. Some owners report the door did not stay latched even after recall repairs were performed, and others mention the door closing on a hand when the obstacle sensor did not stop it. Dealers replaced door lock sensors or latch components in some cases, while other owners say the manufacturer declined further repair. Reported from about 20,000 to 128,000 miles, including long after the original recall work.

   Recall 01V067000Recall 01V264000Recall 04V597000

   What to check: Operate the power sliding door several times, including on a slope, and confirm it latches fully and stays shut. Ask whether recalls 01V067000, 01V264000, and 04V597000 were performed and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The sliding door sensor which made the door retract if there was an object in its passage way malfunctioned. The door slid shut, pining consumer's left hand in the door. Consumer hands sustained soft tissue damage, but didn't break. In addition the warning chime did not activate to inform the consumer the door was closing. Dealer replaced door lock sensors.”

   NHTSA complaint #10106865, filed 2005-08, 120,000 miles

   “Recall campaign 01v067000 concerning power sliding door. The automatic door would intermittently open by itself while driving. Dealer was not notified at this time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10117792, filed 2005-04, 51,000 miles
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Headlamp lenses crack or fall off

   • 19 complaints (11%)
   • median 48,500 mi at 6.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2005

   Owners report that the plastic headlamp lens covers crack, come loose, or fall off while driving, leaving the bulb exposed and often causing it to burn out. Complaints describe the car being harder to see with at night, and say the dealer recommended replacing the whole lamp assembly rather than the lens alone. Some owners say they were told this was a known problem on these vans. Often reported between roughly 44,000 and 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect both headlamp lenses for cracks, cloudiness, or gaps at the housing, and confirm the bulbs work on low and high beam.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer states that while driving the passenger side headlight lens cracked allowing water to enter the component, and blowing out the headlight bulb. While visually inspecting headlights, the driver's side lens fell out and the bulb blew. Nlm the consumer states that it is hard to see while driving. Scc”

   NHTSA complaint #8019798, filed 2002-09, 52,000 miles

   “Both front headlamp lenses have popped off while driving, causing the lamps to burn out. I understand this is a comman problem, a design defect, and replacements ought to be forthcoming.”

   NHTSA complaint #10005688, filed 2003-02, 45,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal feels hard or travels to the floor

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a brake pedal that goes to the floor or feels hard, brakes that grab, and in one case front brake pads separating from the shoes and damaging the rotors. Owners report that dealers could not identify a cause in some instances, and one complaint notes ABS and traction control warning lights staying on. Reported from about 20,000 to 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Test the pedal for firmness and travel with the engine running, check the fluid level, and have the front rotors and pads inspected for separation or scoring.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was a slight vibration in the front of the vehicle while driving that could be felt in the steering wheel. The vehicle was driven to a repair shop, where it was found, that the disc brakes on the front wheels and the pads had separated from the brake shoes and damaged the rotors. This was a common problem with these vehicles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10079610, filed 2004-06, 27,800 miles

   “Ignition will work on erratic basis. When consumer goes out to start vehicle, ignition will fail to start vehicle. Dealership has refused service, and a cause for this defect could not be determined. There was thumping in rear periodically when brakes are applied. Hood possibly could open while driving. There was recall 01v-067 on sliding door possibly opening while driveing.”

   NHTSA complaint #886436, filed 2001-04
5. 5
   Steering

   Power steering stiffness or loss of assist

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 93,759 mi at 6.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2012

   Owners describe popping noises, stiffness when turning, or a sudden loss of power steering assist while driving, with one complaint noting the rack was repaired after a bearing failure. Several owners specifically reference recall 02V286000 for the rack and pinion assembly and state their vehicle was not included because of its VIN or build date. Dealers replaced or repaired the steering rack in the cases described. Mostly reported between about 75,000 and 110,000 miles.

   Recall 02V286000

   What to check: Check for play, popping, or heaviness in the steering at low speed, and ask whether this van's VIN was included in the rack and pinion recall or whether the rack has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When attempting to make a left turn, consumer states the steering wheel gets really stiff. Took vehicle to dealer and there is a recall describing the same problem recall # 02 v 286 000. Consumers vehicle was not affected. Please provide any further information. Ts”

   NHTSA complaint #10004169, filed 2003-01, 75,000 miles

   “While driving at 65 MPH vehicle suddenly lost power steering. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled off the road. Vehicle was towed to dealership. A bearing blew through the lower casing, resulting in loss of power fluid. The power steering rack was repaired. This failure occurred because of the defect described in recall 02v286000 concerning power steering assembly. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10099390, filed 2004-11, 80,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the intake manifold gasket and coolant condition, the power sliding door latch, and the steering rack, and ask for records of any recall work performed. Because several owners report their van fell outside the steering and door-latch recalls, verify coverage with the VIN rather than assuming the recalls were completed.

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.