1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 31%of 149 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette, 31% of the 149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“At 35,000 my '99 olds burns 2 quarts of oil every 1000 miles! I just purchased the vehicle with a 60 day 100% engine and drive train coverage so the dealer is going to "fix" the problem. I have heard the GM 3.4 l engine is famous for poor pistons in all years. This engine is already shot at 35k miles and I feel can't possibly be repaired adequately...it should be replaced but the dealer won't do it.”
NHTSA complaint #10070290, filed 2004-01, 35,000 miles“Repeated intake manifold gasket leak / failure - had to replace twice in less than 100,000 miles - first time at just over 36,000 miles. Never owned a car where I had to replace an intake manifold gasket once, let alone twice and virtually every car my family has owned has been maintained and driven over 100,000 miles. Searching the internet you see the GM 3.4 liter engine in 1999 era this is a common complaint/problem. Also the original Oldsmobile dealer acknowledged it was a known issue with this engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #10246446, filed 2008-10, 36,652 miles“I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette with 65,000 miles. I took the van to a local dealer after antifreeze started leaking from the top of the engine. The problem was a failed intake manifold gasket. The failed gasket fouled the hydraulic lifters and had to be replaced. The total bill was $1255. Same probelm happended to a relative's pontiac. This is all too common of a problem. Gm should recall this model. This will be the last of 5 GM products I have owned.”
NHTSA complaint #10052521, filed 2004-01, 64,495 miles“I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette with 64,000 miles. I took the van to a local dealer because of a knocking noise on cold startup. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed intake manifold gasket. The failed gasket ruined the hydraulic lifters and had to be replaced. The total bill was $1500. The van had regular maintenance (oil, filters, anitfreeze checked) every 3000 miles. This seems to be a common problem with GM vehicles and dexcool systems. This could have been a major safety issue had the engine failed while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10070100, filed 2004-01, 64,000 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 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
8 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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