1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 6%of 170 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 6% of the 170 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 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.
“I've had brakes fixed, and have replaced the tires twice! The back-end keeps making noise every time you change the gear from park to drive or any other gear. The brakes squeal a lot and the back end seems like it wants to come off, very loud and very loud squealing. Would not recommend anyone to buy this type of vehicle and I won't buy another one! Car has had these problems since purchased new in 1998, but under a 5 year lease, I feel stuck! Very dissatisfied customer!”
NHTSA complaint #753975, filed 2001-11“The contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The contact stated that once the vehicle was stopped and shifted into park, the vehicle would not shift into drive. In addition, the vehicle would only remain in park if the emergency brake was engaged. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where it was inspected by an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised that the shift linkage cable was fractured and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000. Updated 03/24/11 the door latch and seat belts were inoperative. …”
NHTSA complaint #10386019, filed 2011-03, 120,000 miles“The vehicle hesitated when shifting out of overdrive at highway speeds, the dealer first diagnosed it as a filter problem then replaced sensors and rebuilt the fuel injectors as a possible cause, lastly the crack spark plug wire was replaced but the problem continued, finally the transmission was rebuilt and the problem was fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #564690, filed 2002-03Related recalls
- 98V131000Jun 11, 1998Vehicle description: mini vans. These vehicles may have (1) a broken shift cable fitting or (2) loose shift linkage. Consequently, moving the shift lever to a…Covers: Oldsmobile Silhouette 1998, Chevrolet Venture 1998, Pontiac Trans Sport 1998
Transmission 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 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette
35 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsBrakes
17 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
15 complaintsSteering
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeats
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 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