1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems & reliability
37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
4 complaints report injuries (8 injured, 3 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure → | 11 | 30% |
| Seat Belts | 9 | 24% |
| Steering | 9 | 24% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 11% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 8% |
| Suspension | 3 | 8% |
| Visibility | 3 | 8% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 5% |
| Seats | 2 | 5% |
| Tires | 2 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Dt: contact stated rear cradle bolts and retainers rusted and disconnected the steering while they were driving. Contact noticed this around june. Was at a stop sign and started to make a right hand turn and noticed there was no steering. Dealer said that cradle bolts rusted and fixed it. Gm stated consumer's vehicle…”
Structure · filed Aug 1, 2005
“Dt: consumer states 1991 oldsmobile silhouette was having mechanical problems. It was a leased by the consumer. The vehicle needed the spark plugs for the engine, power steering line, shocks, brake work, and a tune up. The engine had to have the module replaced. This was supposed to be under a warranty that they…”
Steering · filed Jul 28, 2005
“Driving down the road came to a stop sign, made a right hand turn tried to straighten the wheels out. The steering wheel just kept spinning around and around. Was able to manuever the vehicle to the side of the road. Failure was: the rear cradle bolts through the retainers due to corrosion of the retainer and the rear…”
Structure · filed May 26, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- ENGINE CRADLE SEPARATION
Engineering Analysis EA00011 · opened Apr 10, 2000 · closed Jan 12, 2001 · led to recall 00V189000
- CRADLE BOLT FAILURES
Recall Query RQ97017 · opened Oct 2, 1997 · open · led to recall 97V058000
- FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
Engineering Analysis EA97019 · opened Sep 30, 1997 · closed Jun 8, 1999 · led to recall 99I003000
- FRONT SEAT BACK COLLAPSE
Preliminary Evaluation PE97016 · opened Apr 7, 1997 · closed Sep 30, 1997
- APV FUEL LINE FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA92035 · opened Oct 30, 1992 · closed Nov 30, 1993
- APV FIRES
Defect Petition DP92012 · opened Jun 9, 1992 · closed Jun 25, 1992
- APV FUEL LINE FIRES
Preliminary Evaluation PE92052 · opened Jun 4, 1992 · closed Oct 30, 1992
Technical service bulletins
5 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette.
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
No tcc apply, malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on, tcc surge, possible p0740, p1870, or 39 after installation of a reman (srta) 4t60/4t60e. *tt
01880 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Some v6 engines may, on a very infrequent basis, have an oil odor condition that is generally encountered after the engine's oil has been changed.typically the odor lasts approximately 1000 miles after the change of oil…
876002A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1998
FUEL TANK THUD/CLUNK. *TW
436303 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 1995
Sliding door rattles. *tw
431051 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1994
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1991 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.