2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe coolant leaks from the intake manifold gasket on the 3.4L V6, usually showing up as a slow loss of coolant or a low coolant light somewhere in the 30,000-75,000 mile range. Power sliding door latch and track complaints are the second recurring theme, and a range of electrical faults — warning lights, no-start conditions, chafed or corroded wiring — appear across a wide mileage span.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Intake manifold gasket coolant leak (3.4L V6)

   • 18 complaints (16%)
   • median 55,000 mi at 4.2 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2010

   Complaints describe a slow loss of coolant, a low coolant light, or an empty coolant reservoir, traced by shops to a leaking intake manifold gasket; several owners say coolant mixed with the oil. Reported repair bills commonly run several hundred dollars, and some owners describe the replacement gasket failing again after roughly 20,000 miles. Dealers and independent shops generally confirmed the leak, and several owners report being told the repair was not covered. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 75,000 miles, with a few cases near 30,000 and one repeat failure around 120,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the intake manifold gasket was replaced and with which gasket part. Check the coolant reservoir level and look for a sweet smell or milky residue under the oil filler cap.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At 63000 miles my 3.4 l engine began leaking coolant at the intake manifold. My mechanic and two others told me that this is typical of 3.1 and 3.4 l GM engines and that the company realizes that it has a design flaw because the replacement gasket has been re-engineered and the replacement bolts. The repair was done at a non GM repair shop and cost me $796.22”

   NHTSA complaint #10107736, filed 2005-01, 63,000 miles

   “I own a 2000 Oldsmobile silohette van that has 40,000 miles. It was leaking coolant fluid and I brought it into my local service center. The technician advised me that the intake manifold gasket is leaking. Cost to repair $700+. After researching on the internet, I discovered that there are numerous (over 2500) complaints regarding this component in GM vehicles. As of april 10, 2002, there is a nationwide backorder of the intake manifold gasket. I am demanding accountability from general motors. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10045432, filed 2003-11, 40,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: warning lights, no-start, wiring damage

   • 21 complaints (18%)
   • median 73,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2020

   Owners describe airbag and other warning lights staying lit, intermittent no-start or momentary start-then-die conditions, and total loss of power while driving. Some complaints trace the faults to corroded plugs in the wiring harness under the second-row seat or to wiring that smoldered at the rear of the vehicle. Dealers in several cases replaced modules or attempted repairs without resolving the problem. Spread widely, from vans under 25,000 miles to ones past 140,000 miles.

   What to check: Check that all warning lamps come on with the key and go out after start, inspect harness connectors under the second-row seat for corrosion, and ask whether any electrical faults have been intermittent.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my 2 children (ages 3 and 5) and my brother in my 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette. I was traveling at 40 MPH. With absolutely no warning, my van lost all power. I tried several times to put on my hazard warning flashers but they would not work. I put my van in park and turned off the ignition. We tried to exit through the front doors and through the passenger side rear door but all three doors were locked and would not open even after pressing the unlock power door locks several times. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10049703, filed 2003-12, 59,752 miles

   “Complaint received via e-mail. Vehicle was purchased in winter months. When I drove it off lot right headlight blew. I phoned dealer- saleswoman told me take it to their mechanic for repairs. He replaced it several times, each time it blew. He said it was wet weather. I wondered, but trusted them. 1 electrical problem after another. I have spent $500 to have the same problems repaired repeatedly. Last july, I took it to the local dealer and paid $122 for repairs. It lasted less than 1 month. Lights began blowing out, and failed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10113460, filed 2005-05, 106,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Power sliding door will not latch or opens while driving

   • 22 complaints (19%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 5.2 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2011

   Complaints describe the passenger-side power sliding door closing but not latching, an intermittent door-ajar light, the door jumping its track, or the door moving while the van is in motion. Some owners report the interior handle being unable to stop the door, and a few describe children being caught or bruised as the door traveled. Several owners say the vehicle had already been repaired under a prior door-latch campaign, or that a dealer did not have recall information. Reported from the first year of ownership through vans past 100,000 miles; no single mileage window stands out.

   Recall 01V067000Recall 01V264000Recall 04V597000

   What to check: Cycle the passenger-side power door several times and confirm it latches firmly and the door-ajar light stays off; ask whether the door latch campaigns were completed and check for paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I pulled the handle to open the automatic sliding door when I did it opened and at the last min my 3 year old daughter leaned up against the back of the van as the door continued to open her head got caught between the open door and the outside of the van we pulled as had as we could to get the door to shut to dislodge her from in between the open door and the out side of the van it finally shut . She had bruising on her head.”

   NHTSA complaint #10211455, filed 2007-12, 150,000 miles

   “My 4 year old son was standing inside the van, facing the powered door, waiting for me to open the door. I pulled the handle and the power door started to open (sliding to my left). When the door reached the midway point my son slipped from the edge and fell with both feet between the door and the door frame. The door continued to travel toward my left, my hand was still on the door handle. I pulled the handle with much force, enough to cause the entire van to jerk forward (I am a 37 year old man). The door would not stop moving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #722373, filed 2000-05
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Headlight moisture, clouding and repeated bulb failure

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report moisture collecting inside the headlight housings, leading to clouded or roughened lenses and reduced nighttime visibility, in some cases noticed from when the vehicle was new. Other complaints describe headlight bulbs failing repeatedly and lighting behaving oddly, such as other lamps coming on with the brakes. Noted from very low mileage, including within the first 10,000 miles, up to about 60,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Look inside both headlight housings for condensation or haze and check the lenses for clouding; ask whether bulbs or housings have been replaced and how often.

5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor and long stopping distance

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor with little or no response, a spongy pedal, pulsation, and notably longer stopping distances, sometimes on wet pavement. Some owners report repeated dealer visits with ABS components replaced and the symptom returning; others describe brake lines or tubing needing replacement. Reported mostly between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, with some complaints filed without a stated mileage.

   What to check: On a test drive, press the pedal firmly at low speed and check for a spongy or sinking feel, and ask for records of brake line, ABS and hydraulic work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving on I-95 south in moderate traffic at about 30 MPH when traffic slowed ahead of me. When I applied brakes, nothing happened. I applied brakes with 2 feet to the floor and no response. The crash involved the three cars in front of me with no serious injuries but it was frightening. I have read a few similar complaints of this type for 2000 and 1999 silhouettes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10000633, filed 2002-12, 44,000 miles

   “Consumer states that while his wife was driving she lost brake availability. Consumer said that the brakes went spongy. Took vehicle to the dealership, but did not have it repaired by the dealership because of the expense. He said that the tubing went bad. He has never heard of this kind of a problem with a new vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10029779, filed 2003-07

Buying note. On this model year, the intake manifold gasket and the passenger-side power sliding door are the two items most worth confirming with records before purchase. A pre-purchase inspection that checks coolant level, looks for gasket repair history, and cycles the sliding door will cover most of what owners 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.