VehicleVerdict

2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 40 owner complaints run below the Silhouette median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include 6 deaths and 18 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across airbags (6), tires & wheels (5), and engine (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

40

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

18

Injuries

6

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Silhouette years?

Silhouette NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silhouette years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags615%
Tires & Wheels513%
Engine513%
Latches & Locks38%
Lighting38%
Other25%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)25%
Fuel System25%
Seat Belts25%
Body & Structure25%
Suspension25%
Transmission25%
Electrical System13%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Speed Control13%
Brakes13%

Does the 2003 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.

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 7, 2014 · crash

T-BONED CROSSING A 4WAY DUE TO VIEW OBSTRUCTION. OTHER PERSON HIT US AT 60 MILES PER HR. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED APPROX. 10 SECONDS AFTER INITIAL IMPACT. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 5, 2013 · crash

THE FRONT TIRE ON THE CONSUMER'S 2003 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE WENT FLAT SUDDENLY. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE STEEL WHICH BROKE AND CAME THROUGH THE RUBBER WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. *TS [REDACTED]NO ANSWER REQUIRED[REDACTED] GOODYEAR TIRES, TPC SPEC 1089MS, E13-0294149. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 1, 1901

THE TRACTION CONTROL LIKE DISENGAGES AND THE ABS LIGHT STICKS ON WHEN YOU GO THROUGH SNOW . THE MESSAGE CENTER TELLS YOU TO SERVICE TRANCTION CONTROL SYSTEM. AND THE VEHICAL DOSEN'T WANT TO STOP.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 11, 2003

WHILE HOLDING A CHILD THE ELECTRIC SLIDING DOOR CLOSED ON THE CHILD'S ARM, BREAKING IT. THE KEY REMOTE HAD TO BE USED TO UNLOCK THE DOOR . THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER CLOSE CASE WITH AN OLDER CHILD. *AK *SC

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · October 1, 2004

2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette — common questions

Is the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 40 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Silhouette year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2003 Silhouette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (6 complaints), tires & wheels (5 complaints), engine (5 complaints).

Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 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.