VehicleVerdict

2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 102 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Silhouette year — the 2002 model ranks #6 of 16 Silhouette years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across suspension (12), transmission (8), and engine (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

102

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Silhouette years?

Silhouette NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silhouette years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension1212%
Engine88%
Body & Structure88%
Transmission88%
Seats77%
Latches & Locks77%
Lighting77%
Brakes66%
Electrical System66%
Fuel System66%
Tires & Wheels55%
Other55%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Seat Belts33%
Airbags33%
Speed Control22%
Driver Assistance22%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Steering11%

Does the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

5 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.

02V222000AirbagsAugust 9, 2002 · 133,221 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 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 BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

AWD DISABLE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WERE REPLACED (FOUR TIMES).*AK THE EVAP SOLENOID, FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TWICE. THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED. THE RIGHT POWER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 1, 2005

AWD DISABLE AND ABS LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED AND WERE REPLACED (FOUR TIMES).*AK THE EVAP SOLENOID, FUEL SENDER AND PUMP ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TWICE. THE RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED. THE RIGHT POWER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 1, 2005

SLIDING DOOR PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. DRIVER ELECTRIC SEAT "REPAIRED" SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL DOES NOT WORK. DEALER REPAIRED REAR COMPRESSOR AND BROKE COVER LATCH. THEY PUT A HOLE IN THE FRONT BUMPER AT THIS TIME. PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW CHOOSES NOT TO WORK AT RANDOM AND BACK LEFT SIDE WINDOW…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 2, 2006

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH WIND NOISE COMING FROM BOTH, BUT PRIMARILY THE LEFT A-PILLAR/S. I GET THE NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HEADING INTO A HEAD WIND. IT CAUSES AN EXTREMELY LOUD LOW PITCH WHISTLING NOISE THAT IS CONSTANT WITH THE WIND BLOWING. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP(USING AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 11, 2004

DT: CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT HIS SEAT HEATER BURNED OUT EVERY YEAR. HEATERS BURNED OUT 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WINTERS. THE LAST TIME DEALER DID NOT WANT TO FIX IT, BUT EVENTUALLY DID. CONSUMER FELT THAT MANUFACTURER SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THE HEATERS GO OUT EVERY WINTER. ALSO,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 6, 2005

2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette — common questions

Is the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 102 complaints put the 2002 model at #6 of 16 Silhouette years. It is one of the Silhouette years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Silhouette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (12 complaints), transmission (8 complaints), engine (8 complaints).

Does the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 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.