Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/REAR CRADLE BOLTS
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.
- Consequence
- IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:INSTRUMENT PANEL:GLOVE COMPARTMEN
- Summary
- THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WILL NOT REMAIN CLOSED DURING CERTAIN LOAD FORCES ASSOCIATED WITH A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 201.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOORMAY OPEN AND RESULT IN OCCUPANT(S) INJURIES FROM CONTACT WITH THE GLOVECOMPARTMENT DOOR.
- Remedy
- REPLACE THE CURRENT UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WITH A REDESIGNED UPPER GLOVE COMPARTMENT DOOR WHICH INCORPORATES A POSITIVE LATCH TO KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE SEAT AND SHOULDER BELTS AN
- Summary
- A RIGHT HAND SEAT/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE SECOND ROW LEFT HAND SEAT POSITION (DIRECTLY BEHIND DRIVER).
- Consequence
- THE INCORRECT RETRACTOR MAY CAUSE THE BELTS TO LOCK UPIF THE VAN IS PARKED ON A STEEP GRADE. AS A RESULT OF THIS, THE OCCUPANT COULDNOT EXTEND THE BELT FOR USE.
- Remedy
- REPLACE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT TRACK ANCHORS AND SEATS:OTHE
- Summary
- THE REAR MODULAR SEAT FRAME HOLD-DOWN HOOKS MAY NOT MEET THE REQUIRED PULL FORCE AT THE REAR SET ANCHORAGE.
- Consequence
- VEHICLES WOULD NOT CONFORM TO FMVSS 207.
- Remedy
- REPLACE REAR HOLD DOWN HOOKS AND PIVOT RIVETS WITH HEAT TREATED HARDWARE.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (43)
43 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 43 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 17 | 39.5% |
| Steering | 9 | 20.9% |
| Structure | 7 | 16.3% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 11.6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4.7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4.7% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4.7% |
| Seats | 2 | 4.7% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 4.7% |
How 1990 compares with other Silhouette years
Best and worst Silhouette years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 43 | 4 |
| 1991 | 37 | 2 |
| 1992 | 27 | 2 |
| 1993 | 22 | 3 |
| 1994 | 36 | 4 |
| 1995 | 46 | 2 |
| 1996 | 20 | 1 |
| 1997 | 104 | 6 |
| 1998 | 170 | 7 |
| 1999 | 149 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,700
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1990 Silhouette for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette FAQ
How many recalls does the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 97V058000 (structure), 92V012000 (structure), 91V046000 (seat belt), 89V164000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (17), Steering (9), Structure (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?
EPA rates the 3.1 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic version at 16 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg.
How does the 1990 Silhouette compare with other years?
Among the 1990–1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (20) and the 1998 the most (170). The 1990 drew 43. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.