VehicleVerdict

1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette carries two red flags at once: 68 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). It is one of the Silhouette years to avoid.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 18 reports (27% of the total).

68

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

9

Investigations · 2 open

1

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Silhouette years?

Silhouette NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted225 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 68 complaints1991: 57 complaints1992: 29 complaints1993: 24 complaints1994: 43 complaints1995: 60 complaints1996: 24 complaints1997: 155 complaints1998: 225 complaints1999: 186 complaints2000: 139 complaints2001: 113 complaints2002: 102 complaints2003: 40 complaints2004: 12 complaints
Silhouette NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silhouette years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts1826%
Steering1116%
Body & Structure710%
Brakes57%
Electrical System57%
Visibility & Wipers34%
Engine34%
Fuel System34%
Other34%
Suspension23%
Seats23%
Speed Control23%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Transmission11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

99I003000SeatsJune 8, 1999 · 187,459 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BUCKET SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RECLINER MECHANISM LOWER BOLTS CAN LOOSEN. A LOOSE BOLT COULD FATIGUE AND BREAK, RESULTING IN THE SEAT BACK FALLING REARWARD.

Consequence

THE SEAT COULD SUDDENLY FALL BACKWARD, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN OR REPLACE THE BOLTS AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS. THIS POLICY IS IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2002.

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

92V012000Body & StructureJanuary 28, 1992 · 95,897 units

Defect

THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.

Remedy

REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.

91V046000Seat BeltsMarch 15, 1991 · 400 units

Defect

A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).

Consequence

THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.

Remedy

REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.

89V164000SeatsOctober 2, 1989 · 343 units

Defect

THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.

Consequence

VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.

Remedy

REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ99002

ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION

ON APRIL 1, 1997, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION FILED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, REGISTERED IN 14 HIGH CORROSION STATES, TO REPLACE THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.THE REAR ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS WOULD EITHER FRACTURER OR PULL THROUGH THE RETIANERS DUE TO CORROSION.AS OF SEPTEMBER 1998, THE SIXTH QUARTER, 59.3% OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES HAD BEEN REPAIRED.IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLAINTS OF FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES IN THE ABOVE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY, ODI HAS RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF POSSIBLE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLT FAILURES, INCLUDING TWO CRASHES.AN RQ IS WARRANTED TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAILURES OF THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SEAT BELTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DO NOT RETRACT. RETRACTOR MECHANISM ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS REPLACED ON FEB 5, 1999. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN REPAIRED. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR OVER A YEAR, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 1, 1999

“WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP, AND CONSUMER WILL LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 28, 2002 · crash

“THE INSIDE HANDLE OF THE SLIDING DOOR WIL NOT OPEN THE DOOR. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO WHEN I COULDN'T OPEN IT FROM THE OUTSIDE. I BELIVE FAULTY HANDLES ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY IF NEEDED DURING AN EMERGENCY NO MATTER OF THE AGE OR MILAGE OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 1, 1999

“LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HIS MECHANIC THAT VEHICLE BRAKE LINE IS A DEFECTIVE PART. MANUFACTURER//DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 29, 1998

“ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; A REPLACEMENT OF THREE ALTERNATORS AND THREE BATTERIES WITHIN THREE MONTHS. ALSO, A FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED A FIRE UNDER THE DASH. ASKING NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER, BECAUSE DEALER REFUSED TO HELP UNLESS COST GO TO CONSUMER. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 15, 1998 · fire

1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette — common questions

Is the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 68 complaints put the 1990 model at #7 of 16 Silhouette years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Silhouette years to avoid.

What are the most common 1990 Silhouette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (18 complaints), steering (11 complaints), body & structure (7 complaints).

Does the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Oldsmobile Silhouette years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Silhouette years to avoid are 1998, 1999, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 1990, 1991. The cleanest record among Silhouette years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.