VehicleVerdict

2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 12 complaints on file for the 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

12

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Silhouette years?

Silhouette NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 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, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Silhouette years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels433%
Electrical System217%
Body & Structure217%
Seats18%
Latches & Locks18%
Brakes18%
Airbags18%

Does the 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

3 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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“GOODYEAR TIRES ON 2004 OLDSMOBILE VAN DEFECTIVE (SAFETY CONCERN TO OTHER OWNERS). TIRES DEVELOPED BLISTERS THEN RUBBER SPLIT OPEN CAUSING TIRES TO GO FLAT. I HAD TO BUY TIRES IMMEDIATELY. OLD TIRES ARE NOT HERE. I TOOK THEM TO DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN NEW. NO HELP FROM THEM OR TIRE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 10, 2007

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE DOOR CHIME ALARM SOUNDED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUSE TO DOOR ALARM COULD NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE DEALER CLEANED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 15, 2006

“2004 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE LUXURY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO, LOCKS, SLIDING DOORS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL ALL MALFUNCTION. *JS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 13, 2018

“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE DOOR CHIME ALARM SOUNDED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUSE TO DOOR ALARM COULD NOT BE REMOVED BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. THE DEALER CLEANED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · June 15, 2006

“DT: LAST WEEK WHILE IN PARK THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON FLAT GROUND. THE CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF HOME.THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN AND IMBANKMENT.THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT SET. . IT SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN PARK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 15, 2005 · crash

2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette — common questions

Is the 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette reliable?

The record is thin — 12 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Silhouette problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (4 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 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.