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Oldsmobile SilhouetteModel year report

2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems

Complaints
36filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
51,953miles, 29 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 3.4L 6-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (14% of the total), followed by equipment (4) and wheels (4). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 48% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 51,953 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 15 an injury, 6 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 360 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Equipment complaints overlap with 181 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (2), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Brakes (1), Electrical system (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “I was eastbound on a two lane road, and an escalade ran the stop sign on the driver side , as I was continuing driving I t-boned the SUV, my whole front end was completely ripped and damaged, and dashboard cracked and lifted, my daughter was on the passenger side, and either bags deployed. Know suffer from sternum and back pain with concussion pain .”

NHTSA complaint #10558990, filed 2014-01, 141,000 miles

Equipment: “There is a very foul odor that emits from the A/C unit on my 2003 olds Silhouette van. I'm concerned that this may be some sort of bacterial/fungus growth that may be mainifesting itself in the A/C unit. I don't want people getting seriously ill before some sort of corrective action is taken. What is the best course of action that I need to take? The dealership (earl Oldsmobile, cleveland, oh) is not taking this problem seriously. Please advise, thank you.”

NHTSA complaint #10091063, filed 2004-09, 1,000 miles

Wheels: “Noticed decrease in tire pressure on one tire then on all. Examination of rim showed extensive corrosion on all rims both exterior and interior. Leakage was so bad that I was filling the tires daily. Went to tire store where I purchased the tires to have them examined. Service rep said it wasn't the tires it was the corroded rims that were causing the problem. I had the rims replaced (all 4) and have not had a problem since this repair. …”

NHTSA complaint #10240533, filed 2008-09, 45,000 miles

Engine cooling: “After accelerating to passing gear, the check engine light went on .. And the engine sounded like the spark plug failed. The diagnostic check said there was no compression in the #2 cylinder. The mechanic at the dealership said the rocker arm bolt had stripped out. That this type of problem is not covered by warranty. There are 95,000 miles on this vehicle. However, I consider this a manufacturing default .. The bolt should not have stripped out of the engine block. I question whether the other rocker arm bolts will strip ... Gm denied any responsibility .. …”

NHTSA complaint #10221104, filed 2008-03, 92,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

48% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 95,914 miles.

17%0–1010%10–2521%25–5017%50–7510%75–10024%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (29 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 51,953 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’02’048’06’08’10’13’15
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Silhouette · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Silhouette 2WD3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic172420$3,350
Silhouette AWD3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 360 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 360 bulletins →

Other model years of the Oldsmobile Silhouette

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20041139,0001—20—Not enough data
20033651,9532—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20025740,7502—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20017857,8606—20Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200011456,5005—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199914964,4954—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199817080,0007—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199710474,5006—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199620118,0001—19—Stable
19954691,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199436100,0004—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19932278,5003—18—Stable
19922797,8962—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199137150,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199043130,4644—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Oldsmobile Silhouette model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?

NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (14% of the total), followed by equipment with 4.

Has the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette (Silhouette 2WD, 3.4L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette reported?

Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 51,953 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 95,914 miles; 48% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.