VehicleVerdict

2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 113 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Silhouette year — the 2001 model ranks #5 of 16 Silhouette years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (14), tires & wheels (13), and transmission (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

113

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

8

Injuries

2

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Silhouette years?

Silhouette NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 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, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silhouette years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1412%
Tires & Wheels1312%
Transmission109%
Latches & Locks98%
Electrical System98%
Suspension76%
Brakes76%
Lighting65%
Airbags65%
Body & Structure54%
Steering54%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Fuel System44%
Seats44%
Speed Control33%
Other33%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)33%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

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

09E005000SteeringFebruary 17, 2009 · 979 units

Defect

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Consequence

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.

08E050000LightingAugust 11, 2008 · 1,921 units

Defect

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

04V597000Latches & LocksDecember 22, 2004 · 717,302 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Consequence

IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

02V329000AirbagsDecember 9, 2002 · 272 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.

Consequence

THIS COULD INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO A PERSON WHO WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. IT COULD ALSO REDUCE THE AB8ILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT A RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 16, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3.

01V383000SeatsDecember 13, 2001 · 75,816 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS BUILT WITH SECOND ROW 50/50 SPLIT BENCH SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SEAT LATCH ANCHOR WIRE DIAMETER IS GREATER THAN 6.1 MM.

Consequence

IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LATCH ANCHOR WIRES AND REPAIR THOSE WITH AN IMPROPER DIAMETER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

01V264000Latches & LocksAugust 21, 2001 · 248,737 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

01V067000Latches & LocksMarch 8, 2001 · 477,011 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence

AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

00V228003Seat BeltsAugust 7, 2000 · 156,305 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE PROCEEDING FROM A STOP TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF WARNING SINCE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE, HOWEVER FOUND NO PROBLEM UNTIL TRANSMISSION FAILED. *AK TRANSMISSION HAD NOISE AND SLIPS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER FIXED THE VEHICLE BUT CONSUMER IS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 14, 2002

OLDS 2001 SILHOUETTE PREMIERE WHEELS ON MY CAR AND APPARENTLY MANY OTHERS ARE FORMING BUBBLES AND DETERIORATING CAUSING FLAT TIRES. OLDS SECRETIVELY DEVELOPED A PLAN TO RESURFACE THESE WHEELS BUT FOR CARS EVEN RECENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WON'T REPAIR THIS LATENT DEFECT. THEY KNOW IT IS THERE THEY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 1, 2003

WHENEVER AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN ON A HILL WITH VEHICLE RUNNING, AND CONSUMER TAKES FOOT OFF BRAKES TO PRESS GAS PEDAL VEHICLE, IT WILL ROLL BACK. CONSUMER FEELS THAT VEHICLE SHOULD NOT ROLL SO FAR BACK IF IT IS NOT IN REVERSE. IT'S LIKE DRIVING A STICK SHIFT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 1, 2001

08/15/01 THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED DOWN AL BY ITSELF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT MY HOUSE AND THE ALARM BEEPED 2 OR 3 TIMES. ON 9/6/01 THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR OPENED ALL BY ITSELF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT MY HOUSE AND THE ALARM BEEPED 2 OR 3 TIMES.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATING PAD MALFUNCTIONED BY BURNING ITS WIRE, WHICH IS A HEATING COMPONENT. OCCURRENCE CAUSED A FIRE INSIDE A SEAT THAT HAVE BURNED A PART OF HEATING PAD ITSELF (HEATING PAD APPEARS TO BE MADE OUT OF FLAMMABLE MATERIAL) AND SOME OF THE SEAT FOAM STUFFING (AGAIN APPEARS TO BE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 30, 2004 · fire

2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette — common questions

Is the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 113 complaints put the 2001 model at #5 of 16 Silhouette years. It is one of the Silhouette years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Silhouette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (14 complaints), tires & wheels (13 complaints), transmission (10 complaints).

Does the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.