1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems

What owners report

Most complaints for this model year center on coolant and oil leaks traced to the intake manifold gasket on the 3.4L V6, often first noticed as a low-coolant light, a cold-start knock, or an antifreeze smell, and sometimes followed by contaminated oil. Owners also describe transmission shifting problems and failures, power sliding door trouble, and various older-age electrical and brake faults at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Intake manifold gasket leak (coolant/oil)

   • 36 complaints (24%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (24 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 12 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2008

   Owners describe a low-coolant warning with no visible puddle, an antifreeze smell, coolant leaking from the top of the engine, or a knocking noise on cold start. Several say the dealer diagnosed a failed lower intake manifold gasket, and in some cases coolant mixed with the oil, fouling lifters or requiring engine work; repair bills reported range widely into the high hundreds to low thousands. A few mention a GM service bulletin describing a revised gasket design. Mostly reported between roughly 35,000 and 105,000 miles, often noticed as a coolant warning or cold-start noise rather than a sudden breakdown.

   What to check: Check coolant level and look for a sweet smell or residue around the top of the engine, and inspect the oil for a milky tint. Ask for service records showing whether the intake manifold gasket was replaced and with which gasket design.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette with 52,000 miles. I brought it to the local dealer because of a knocking noise on cold startup. Diagnosed as a failed intake manifold gasket, cost to repair approx $900.00. On disassembly, dealer contacted me with information that the engine internals were so badly fouled (sludge and deposits) that the hydraulic lifters required replacement. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10005660, filed 2003-02, 51,000 miles

   “The low coolant light came on but there was no evidence of a leak. We finally discovered that the hot coolant was leaking onto the camshaft and into the engine through faulty lower intake manifold gaskets. The gasket was replaced at our expense but we do not know the damage or condition of the camshaft and engine bearings from coolant mixed with oil to lubricate. There remains a coolant odor we cannot identify. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10104871, filed 2004-12, 83,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission harsh shifting and failure

   • 12 complaints (8%)
   • median 73,529 mi at 4.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2015

   Complaints describe jerking or bucking between the low gears, hard shifts after speed changes, delayed engagement, or a van that shudders and will not move from a stop. Owners report dealers sometimes could not reproduce the problem, while others describe overhauls or replacements, and one mentions a pressure control solenoid valve assembly being identified. Reported from about 38,000 to roughly 155,000 miles, with several failures noted near 45,000 to 85,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check transmission fluid level, color and smell, and drive the van from a stop and up a grade to feel for shuddering or harsh shifts. Ask whether the transmission has been serviced, overhauled or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was backing out of my place at worship when a friend told me I had no backup lights. I went straight to the auto supply store. Replacing the bulbs did not work. They told me it had to do with the transmission. I went elsewhere. Same story. Went to the he transmission store. They said my transmission was going out and it would cost me $1897.00 to fix it. Two little bulbs. That was a year ago and I'm still driving it. I try to back into spaces so I don't have to back out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10733484, filed 2015-07, 199,000 miles

   “My 1999 olds Silhouette van has experienced a second transmission failure. The first with 35k miles, and the second one 27k miles later. I have researched numerous other complaints with this same type of GM transmission indicating transmission failures. This is unacceptable. Gm is trying to pass it off as an unusual misfortune on my behalf. Further investigation into these failures is needed for the consumer safety and vehicle reliability. I should not be having to put a third transmission into a 4 year old vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10013850, filed 2003-04, 63,258 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: warning lights, lights, fires

   • 40 complaints (27%)
   • median 96,000 mi at 9.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2015

   Complaints describe a coolant light that stays on when the level is fine, an inoperable fuel gauge, flickering airbag lights, power windows that stop working, and repeated melting brake-light bulbs. A few owners report smoke or fire from under the hood, in one case while the van was parked. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, though some lighting and gauge faults appear earlier and develop gradually with age.

   What to check: With the engine running, check that all warning lights behave normally and that the fuel gauge reads sensibly; test every exterior bulb, the power windows and the door locks. Look for scorched wiring or a burning smell under the hood.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Left brake keeps going out. Upon replacing notice that the contacts are getting covered up by melting plastic. I have replaced the bulb numerous time and even replaced the circuit board. Still the bulbs keep melting. This has started in mid june of 2008. I am at the point now of driving without a left rear brake light.”

   NHTSA complaint #10296127, filed 2009-12, 118,526 miles

   “Both front headlight covers have clouded and become hazy due to sun exposure over time. I am concerned that this problem is causing limited visibility especially at night. In my opinion this problem will cause the headlights to be dimmer than what is considered a safe level of brightness.”

   NHTSA complaint #10182013, filed 2007-02, 96,000 miles
4. 4
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Power sliding door opens or fails to latch

   • 18 complaints (12%)
   • median 84,221 mi at 6.0 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2015

   Owners describe the passenger-side power sliding door opening by itself while driving, or closing without latching, and difficulty getting it to shut. Some report the door motor failing and dealers quoting high repair costs, and some say a prior recall repair did not resolve the problem. Reported from about 48,000 to 112,000 miles, and in some cases shortly after the door was serviced under a recall.

   Recall 01V067000Recall 01V264000Recall 04V597000

   What to check: Open and close the power door several times, including with the interior handle, and confirm it latches firmly. Ask whether recall 01V067, 01V264 or 04V597 was performed and whether the door has been repaired since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The motor for the power sliding door broke with about 48,000 miles on the vehicle. I took it to 2 different GM dealers and was told by both service shops that it would be over $1200 for the repair an that it would not be worth repairing because they all break. Even the new ones break. I was told that a recall would be coming out because of all the problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #10118454, filed 2005-04, 48,000 miles

   “Dt: the consumer stated that the sliding door on 1999 Oldsmobile silhoutte opened while driving and ripped the tire and the rim. The back fender was damaged, and the rear bumper was bent outwards. The paint was also damaged in the areas that the door hit. Door opened several times before by itself. The owner had a hard time closing the door, which was checked before. Owner returned it to the dealer where she bought vehicle. But they could not find any problems with the door. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10130049, filed 2005-07, 89,443 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake and suspension hardware wear

   • 13 complaints (9%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 9.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2015

   Owners report leaking rear wheel cylinders, brake lines failing under hard braking, and broken front sway bar or suspension parts that produced noise and loss of control. Some describe the brake-light circuit board and contacts overheating. Generally reported from about 38,000 miles upward, with most hardware failures above 75,000 miles.

   What to check: Have the brake lines, wheel cylinders and sway bar links inspected on a lift, and check for fluid seepage at the wheels. Test the brakes firmly at low speed on a quiet road.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving in town when a car pulled out of a parking spot right in front of me giving me two feet to stop at 25 MPH. I stopped but my brakes blew. Total failure of two brakes. The engine. According to your complaints I might have a gasket to replace because I have a coolant light on and it doesn't need any. The repairman said I needed a new sensor. Hmmm. Electrical. Fuel gauge is inoperable. Coolant light wrong. Airbag lights can't make up their mind if they work or not. The car locks me out repeatedly. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10670025, filed 2015-01, 185,000 miles

   “Vehicle was on the road when driver heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. Driver then pulled over to notice that the front sway bar broke. Manufacturer was contacted by consumer.”

   NHTSA complaint #10113450, filed 2005-03, 76,887 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the intake manifold gasket and the automatic transmission are the two areas owners write about most, so service records for both matter more than mileage alone. A pre-purchase inspection that covers coolant, oil condition, transmission behavior and the power sliding door will tell you most of what the complaints describe.

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.