2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette recalls and problems

The 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette has 2 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Oldsmobile dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
36
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
15 / 6

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette recalls

Recall 04V-597: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Dec 22, 2004 · 717,302 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-222: Air Bags

Reported Aug 9, 2002 · 133,221 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags6
Equipment4
Wheels4
Engine and Engine Cooling3
Exterior Lighting3
Latches/Locks/Linkages3
Seat Belts2
Suspension2
Structure2
Power Train2
Engine2
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Most reported parts

  • Air Bags › Frontal — 3
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 3
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 2
  • Equipment › Mechanical › Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift — 2
  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 2
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 2
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Injectors — 1
  • Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Abs Warning Light — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 51,953 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · at 130,000 miles · reported Apr 16, 2015
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.
Engine · at 130,000 miles · reported Jan 29, 2015
The contact owns a 2003 oldsmobile silhouette. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was restarted and operated as normal. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Structure · reported Jul 21, 2014
Flomaton, ala. (Ap) - a van crossed the median of a highway in southern alabama and collided with a pickup truck, killing six people and injuring three others in a crash local authorities described as one of the worst they had ever seen. The force of the collision ripped the van's transmission from the vehicle and scattered debris along more than 100 yards of highway, cpl. James patterson with the state patrol. ``it looks more like an airplane crash scene than a car crash,'' said jim johnson of the flomaton volunteer fire department. ``the van's front end just disintegrated. I've never seen so…
Air Bags · at 141,000 miles · reported Jan 8, 2014
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 suffer from sternum and back pain with concussion pain .
Exterior Lighting · at 130,020 miles · reported Nov 1, 2013
Head lamps on this vehicle have started to haze. The haze has been getting progressively worse restricting the amount of light. I have found that it is getting increasingly difficult to see the road at 40mph or higher in the evening. The turn signals have a clear lens over them and do not appear to have the same condition. I have contacted GM. With multiple calls, e-mails and a trip to the dealer over a two week time frame, I was contacted by GM and told that although it was a safety hazard, there was nothing that they could do. My contention to GM was I'm sure when this vehicle was released…

Other Oldsmobile Silhouette years

Compare all Oldsmobile Silhouette years · All Oldsmobile models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette: 04V-597 (latches/locks/linkages), 02V-222 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette?

Owners report air bags problems most often (6 reports), followed by equipment (4). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 51,953 miles.

Are Oldsmobile recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Oldsmobile dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.