Recalls (7)
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1998 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 ↗Listed for 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR
Latches/locks/linkages · doors · latch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported717,302 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V597000
Listed for 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY
Steering · rack and pinion
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE AND SOME OTHER RETAINERS USED IN VEHICLES ASSEMBLED BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
- Consequence
- IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 24, 2003. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Repair progress not yet reported1,159,156 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V286000
Listed for 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR
Latches/locks/linkages · doors · latch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS ASSEMBLED IN JANUARY THROUGH APRIL 2001. THESE VEHICLES HAVE INADEQUATE FRONT WELDS. IF A FRONT WELD FAILS, THE ACTUATOR CAN JAM IN THE UNLATCHED POSITION AND, WHEN THE SLIDING DOOR CLOSES, IT WILL NOT BE LATCHED.
- Consequence
- IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Repair progress not yet reported248,737 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 01V264000
Listed for 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/POWER SLIDING DOOR
Latches/locks/linkages · doors · latch
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS. THE DOOR CLOSES BUT MAY NOT BE LATCHED. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE.
- Consequence
- AN UNRESTRAINED OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE VAN AND BE INJURED.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW UN-LATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY TO THE POWER SLIDING DOOR. THIS RECALL HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNDER SAFETY RECALL 01V-264. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
Repair progress not yet reported477,011 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 01V067000
Listed for 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/SEAT LATCH/FINGER INJURIES
Seats · front assembly · recliner
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS OR A SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND (MIDDLE) OR THIRD (BACK) ROW. THE SEAT LATCH MECHANISMS ON BUCKET SEATS AND ON THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROWS DO NOT HAVE PROTECTIVE COVERS.
- Consequence
- WHEN ACTIVATING THE RELEASE MECHANISM TO ROLL A BUCKET SEAT FORWARD, A CUSTOMER'S FINGER(S) COULD BE SEVERELY INJURED OR SEVERED IN THEY ARE NOT KEPT CLEAR OF THE MECHANISM.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS ON THE OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON ALL LEFT AND RIGHT HAND REAR BUCKET SEATS IN THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW, AND TO BOTH INBOARD AND OUTBOARD LATCH MECHANISMS ON THE CENTER REAR BUCKET SEAT AND THE 40% PORTION OF THE SPLIT BENCH SEAT.
Repair progress not yet reported125,990 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V145000
Listed for 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/FMVSS 102
Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE (1) A BROKEN SHIFT CABLE FITTING OR (2) LOOSE SHIFT LINKAGE. CONSEQUENTLY, MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER TO A 'PARK' POSITION MAY NOT SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION TO 'PARK'.
- Consequence
- THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE RANGE SELECTOR CABLE.
Repair progress not yet reported38,540 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V131000
Listed for 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not checked against your VIN.
GM/WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Visibility · windshield wiper/washer · linkages
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE ARM CAN CONTACT A BRAKE LINE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM MODULATOR VALVE. THIS CONTACT CAN CHAFE THE BRAKE LINE RESULTING IN A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
- Consequence
- BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRAKE LINE CLIP TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. ALSO THE BRAKE LINES WILL BE INSPECTED TO ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS CONDITION AND WILL REPLACE ANY DAMAGED LINES.
Repair progress not yet reported55,154 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V072000
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 (170)
170 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
6involved a crash
0involved a fire
13injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 170 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 35 | 20.6% |
| Exterior lighting | 32 | 18.8% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 9.4% |
| Structure | 16 | 9.4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 15 | 8.8% |
| Steering | 14 | 8.2% |
| Fuel system | 12 | 7.1% |
| Electrical system | 11 | 6.5% |
| Power train | 10 | 5.9% |
| Seats | 10 | 5.9% |
How 1998 compares with other Silhouette years
Best and worst Silhouette years →199436
199546
199620
1997104
1998170
1999149
2000114
200178
200257
200336
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 36 | 4 |
| 1995 | 46 | 2 |
| 1996 | 20 | 1 |
| 1997 | 104 | 6 |
| 1998 | 170 | 7 |
| 1999 | 149 | 4 |
| 2000 | 114 | 5 |
| 2001 | 78 | 6 |
| 2002 | 57 | 2 |
| 2003 | 36 | 2 |
This year (1998)Other yearsStill collecting reports
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 19 mpg combined
19
mpg combined
16
city
23
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 468 g/mi
- EPA class
- Special Purpose Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$3,437per year
$286per month
789gallons a year
Miles ÷ 19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 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
1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns: 04V597000 (latch), 02V286000 (steering), 01V264000 (latch), 01V067000 (latch), 98V145000 (seat), 98V131000 (power train), 98V072000 (visibility). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems?
Owners filed 170 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (35), Exterior lighting (32), Service brakes (16) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette get?
EPA rates the 3.4 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 16 city, 23 highway and 19 combined mpg.
How does the 1998 Silhouette compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette model years at least five years old, the 1996 drew the fewest complaints (20) and the 1998 the most (170). The 1998 drew 170. 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.
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