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2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette, most often about the air bags (14% of complaints). It is 4th of 5 Silhouette model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette problems
Air bags
5 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
On two separate occasions the driver and passenger side air bags inadvertently deployed. As a result the driver sustained injuries and a torn ligament to the hand and arms. Prior to these incidents the air bag warning light came on. The cause of the air bag failure had not been determined.
: the consumer stated while driving 10-15mph and turning left another vehicle ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of the vehicle. Upon impact, the frontal and side airbags failed to deploy. There was a police report filed at the scene. Although, all three of the occupants were wearing seat belts minor injuries…
Engine
5 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
There is a very foul odor that emits from the A/C unit on my 2003 olds Silhouette van. I'm concerned that this may be some sort of bacterial/fungus growth that may be mainifesting itself in the A/C unit. I don't want people getting seriously ill before some sort of corrective action is taken. What is the best course…
After accelerating to passing gear, the check engine light went on .. And the engine sounded like the spark plug failed. The diagnostic check said there was no compression in the #2 cylinder. The mechanic at the dealership said the rocker arm bolt had stripped out. That this type of problem is not covered by warranty.…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
Vehicle was making a loud creak while driving due to four sub-frame bolts being loose as well as the lower control arm bolts. (nar)
The front tire on the consumer's 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette went flat suddenly. This was caused by the steel which broke and came through the rubber where the tread meets the sidewall. ** answer required*** goodyear tires, tpc spec 1089ms, e13-0294149.
Equipment
4 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: mechanical, appliance.
There is a very foul odor that emits from the A/C unit on my 2003 olds Silhouette van. I'm concerned that this may be some sort of bacterial/fungus growth that may be mainifesting itself in the A/C unit. I don't want people getting seriously ill before some sort of corrective action is taken. What is the best course…
Dt: contact stated the jack that came with vehicle broke apart after changing a tire. The dealer offered a gift certificate. The manufacturer offered nothing. Updated 1/4/2006 -
Lights
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights.
The traction control like disengages and the ABS light sticks on when you go through snow . The message center tells you to service tranction control system. And the vehical dosen't want to stop.
Head lamps on this vehicle have started to haze. The haze has been getting progressively worse restricting the amount of light. I have found that it is getting increasingly difficult to see the road at 40mph or higher in the evening. The turn signals have a clear lens over them and do not appear to have the same…
Doors and locks
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: doors.
The right rear automatic door will reopen after it was closed. The vehicle had been to the dealer seven times for this problem. The door opened 100 times since last august.
While holding a child the electric sliding door closed on the child's arm, breaking it. The key remote had to be used to unlock the door . There was also another close case with an older child.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette recalls
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 p
Full defect 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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: Pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants and the air bag cushion would not inflate fully, reducing the capability of the bag to protect the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. 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 buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Power-sliding door
Summary
Subject vehicles are available with an optional power sliding door.the interior handle is oriented in the vertical position in the door panel and lines up at the elbow level when the occupant is seated in the 2nd-row outboard position.if the occupant holds the interior handle in the thumb up position during power-assisted opening, the arm/wrist can be push back with force against the 2nd-row bucket seat or captain's chair seat back creating a risk of injury (other seating configurations have ample seat to door clearance to avoid entrapment of the lower arm).among the 103 total reports, there were 102 alleged injuries including arm/wrist, thumb and shoulder injuries.a count of injuries reveal
Questions about the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (5 complaints); engine (5 complaints); wheels and tires (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 22, 2004 (doors and locks). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Oldsmobile Silhouette?
- It is 4th of 5 Silhouette model years by number of complaints, with 36 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.