Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1994 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/TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:COOLING UNIT
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
- Consequence
- VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SHOULDER BELTS
- Summary
- THE SECOND ROW, RIGHT HAND SHOULDER BELT CAN BECOME "PINCHED" BETWEEN THE SEAT AND THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM. THE SHOULDER BELT MAY NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE 1994 VEHICLES HAVE AN OPTIONAL INTEGRAL (BUILT IN) CHILDSEAT INSTALLED NEXT TO THE POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR. THE 1993 INVOLVED VEHICLES HAVE STANDARD SEATS IN THAT SAME POSITION.
- Consequence
- IMPROPER SHOULDER BELT RETRACTION DOES NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR FRAME PILLAR TRIM PANEL WITH A REDESIGNED TRIM PANEL. ALSO, A CAUTION LABEL WILL BE APPLIED TO THE CHILD SEAT ADVISING THE OWNER NOT TO INSTALL THE SEAT TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF A VEHICLE WITH A POWER SLIDING SIDE DOOR.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT RETRACTORS
- Summary
- THE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS MAY BE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MAY LOCK-UP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON SLOPES OF LESS THAN 15 DEGREES, WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
- Consequence
- CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: PASSENGERS SEATED IN THESE POSITON MAYBE UNABLE TO EXTRACT AND FASTEN THEIR SEAT BELTS UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS MOVED TO A MORE LEVEL SURFACE. UNBELTED OCCUPANTS ARE MORE AT RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION THAN THOSE USING SAFETY BELTS.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REMOVE THIRD ROW SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS AND REINSTALL THEM PROPERLY.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT BELTS:LAP:REAR
- Summary
- THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE REAR CENTER POSITION ARE MISSING A PAWL SPRING AND IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, WILL ALLOW THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING TO EXTEND BEYOND THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE SAFETY BELT WOULD NOTRESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT, SUBJECTING THE OCCUPANT TO INCREASED RISK OF INJURIES.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE THE RETRACTOR IF THE PAWL SPRING IS MISSING.
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 (36)
36 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The visibility is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 9 | 25% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 13.9% |
| Structure | 4 | 11.1% |
| Air bags | 3 | 8.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 8.3% |
| Power train | 3 | 8.3% |
| Tires | 3 | 8.3% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 5.6% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 5.6% |
| Seats | 2 | 5.6% |
How 1994 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 Vehicles
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 | 17 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 3.8 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 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 1994 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
1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette FAQ
How many recalls does the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 96V015000 (power train), 94V100000 (seat belt), 94V015000 (seat belt), 93V212000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. Visibility (9), Electrical system (5), Structure (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1994 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?
EPA rates the 3.1 L 6-cyl · 3-speed automatic version at 17 city, 21 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1994 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 1994 drew 36. 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.