1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems & reliability
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1993 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.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 4 | 18% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 18% |
| Electrical System | 3 | 14% |
| Power Train | 3 | 14% |
| Visibility | 3 | 14% |
| Equipment | 2 | 9% |
| Child Seat | 1 | 5% |
| Seats | 1 | 5% |
| Steering | 1 | 5% |
| Tires | 1 | 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
“Both front seat belts have stopped retracting. There was no discernible precursor to this malfunction. *nm”
Seat Belts · filed Jul 20, 2006
“The vehicle was parked when the interior caught on fire. The consumer had previously experienced a problem with the electrical system. *nlm”
Electrical System · filed Mar 20, 2003
“Windshield wipers would not start operating. The system appeared "frozen" yet would start operating again in a few hours. The dealer replaced the windshield wiper motor assembly and charged me for the repair work. The same problem appeared in my 1994 oldsmobile truck silhouette. There is clearly a defect in the design…”
Visibility · filed Apr 29, 2002
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- TRNSAXL OIL HOSE SEPARATES
Preliminary Evaluation PE94070 · opened Sep 15, 1994 · closed Jan 18, 1995
Technical service bulletins
20 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1993 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The 10 most recent:
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
Owners of some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60, 4t60-e or 4t65-e transaxles may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when standing in park on a hill or slope with the engine…
990730030A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2001
Some vehicles equipped with hydra-matic 3t40, 4t60 or 4t60-e transxales may comment on a grinding and / or growling noise that is noticeable when in park on incline. *tt
990730030 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1999
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
Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc
970801735026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 1, 1997
Intermittent electrical conditions (tighten loose ground nut g105). *tw
238106 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise (diagnosis/service procedure). *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Policy adjustment - linear exhaust gas recirculation system. *tw
96067 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1997
Cold start rattle noise. *tw
577106A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 1996
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 1993 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 1993 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.