1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 21%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 21% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1998 old Silhouette had intake manifold gasket replaced at 69, 000 miles and then 8 months at 73 000 mile my cam broke in half while I was driving at 25 to 30 MPH unknown why or how much more damage is done at this time. Investigator is coming out to check what had happen .”
NHTSA complaint #10228077, filed 2008-05, 73,000 miles“A defect in the intake manifold of my 1998 olds Silhouette van caused the engine to fail. This failure occurred while my pregnant wife (3 days past her due date) was driving with our 5 yr old son. While driving 40 MPH on a high traffic road, the engine failed. This could have caused a serious accident/injury. Other motorists in her vicinity saw the problem and avoided a collision.”
NHTSA complaint #10070041, filed 2004-01, 80,000 miles“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“I have just found out that my olds Silhouette has a coolant leak in the intake manifold withh only 50000 miles on the odometer. To my discuss I was informed that this is a very common and predictable failer. I hope that it has not caused any further damage to my engine. It would have been in the least a reasonable action on behalf of GM to give owners of their vehicles a heads up on this all to common defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10064123, filed 2004-03, 50,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 12% |
| 2001 | 12 | 15% |
| 2000 | 29 | 25% |
| 1999 | 46 | 31% |
| 1998 | 35 | 21% |
| 1997 | 11 | 11% |
| 1996 | 8 | 40% |
| 1995 | 7 | 15% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1992 | 3 | 11% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette
32 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
15 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeats
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsTires
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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