1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/28/2000· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

  FAILURE OF PART NOS. 12533714 (SOCKET) AND 12101854 (CONNECTOR) RESULTED IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL TO BE DISABLED. ADDITIONALLY, TAIL LIGHTS DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. *AK

• 12/27/2002· AIR BAGS,SEATS

  THE METAL FRAME SEAT BOLSTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE HAS BROKEN THROUGH THE FOAM CUSION AND HAS BEGUN TO DAMAGE THE LEATHER. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THIS VEHICLE WERE IN AN ACCIDENT THE METAL WOULD IMPALE THE DRIVER. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS SEVERAL TIMES ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO BE INJURED BEFORE THEY WOULD RECONGNIZE THIS AS A PROBLEM. A RELATIVE HAS THE EXACT SAME MINI-VAN (YEAR AND MODEL) AND IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIR FROM AN INDEPENDENT AUTO UPHOLSTERY SHOP AND FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT WHEN I TOLD THE GENTLEMAN WHAT TYPE OF VEHICLE IT WAS HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS PRIOR TO LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE. HE INDICATED THAT HE HAS REPAIRED MANY OF THESE. WE ALSO FOUND OUT THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAS REDESIGNED THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SEATS IN THE SILHOUETTE, EITHER PROVIDING MORE SEAT FRAME PROTECTION OR REMOVING THE METAL PORTION THAT IS PROTRUDING FROM MY VEHICLE.

• 12/26/2005· SEAT BELTSCrash

  I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT, LESS THAN 20 MPH. I HAD THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTED TO THE LOWEST POSITION, I AM ONLY 5'3. UPON IMPACT THE SEAT BELT MOVED TO THE TOP POSITION. SO, INSTEAD OF BEING ON MY SHOULDER, IT ENDED UP ACROSS MY NECK. THE SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK, AND ALSO LEFT A BURN, AND A BRUISE. *NM

• 12/17/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CONSUMER STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OIL BEGAN TO MIX TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

• 12/17/1998· VISIBILITY

  THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WHEN CONSUMER GOT HER 10 YEAR OLD INTO THE VEHICLE, AND CLOSED THE DOOR ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

• 12/08/1998· SEATS

  THE OWNER HAD RECALL PROBLEMS REPAIRED. OWNER NOT SATISFIED WITH RECALL REPAIRS BY DEALER. OWNER THINKS REPAIRS NOT DONE CORRECTLY. *AK

• 12/08/1998· POWER TRAIN

  HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN MAIL , RECALL 98V131000. OWNER NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIRS THAT WAS DONE UNDER THE RECALL. *AK

• 12/05/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM, BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS COMMON IN SOME FUEL TANKS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 70,000. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/08/09.*JB

• 12/04/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WE PURCHASED A VAN IN GOOD WORKING ORDER IN 04/2006. IT WAS USED PREVIOUSLY BY ONE OWNER SINCE BEING PURCHASED NEW. IN NOVEMBER 2007- IT BEGAN OVERHEATING AND LOSING COOLANT. THE DIAGNOSIS IS NOW REPLACEMENT OF HEAD GASKET AND POSSIBLE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. GM HAS REFUSED TO HELP THEIR CONSUMERS IN ANY WAY IF THERE IS NO WARRANTY. AS WITH ALL PROBLEMS THESE COULD FAIL DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, MILEAGE, AND OR AGE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE CASE IN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS INCLUDING MY OWN! *TR

• 12/03/2002· SEAT BELTS

  THE MIDDLE ROW SEATBELT WILL NOT STAY LOCKED. CONSUMER STATED WHEN SECURING CHILD SEAT IN THE MIDDLE OUTBOARD REAR SEAT, THE SEATBELT WILL NOT STAY LOCKED, AND POPPED LOOSE. CHILD WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED. TS SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND RETRACTOR WAS REPLACED. *TT

• 11/29/2005· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS FOGGED UP, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. AND THEY COULD TAKE THE HEADLIGHTS APART AND BLOW AIR INTO THEM. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE DUE TO THE EXPENSE. *AK

• 11/26/2001· POWER TRAIN

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK

• 11/20/2003· VISIBILITY

  INTERMITTENTLY THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER VIEW. DEALER SORRY THERE IS NOT RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. OWNER STATED WIPER MOTOR NEVER SHOULD'VE FAIL. *PH 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR. WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEING INOPERATIVE IS OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW.*MR

• 11/18/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  BATTERY HAS FAILED REPEATEDLY. LEFT STRANDED 8/99, 4/01, 11/02. "NEW" BATTERY INSTALLED EACH TIME. SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALER UNABLE TO EXPLAIN WHY THIS VEHICLE KEEPS "EATING" BATTERIES. SAYS IT IS THE HEAT IN FLORIDA WHICH I DON'T BELIEVE. DT

• 11/09/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE KEY DID NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER . THEY SENT HIM A NEW KEY, HOWEVER, THE KEY DID NOT WORK. HE RECEIVED RECALL LETTER FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE RECALL STATED MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE SWITCH OR THE WIRES. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO WANTED TO CHARGE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE DEALERS. *AK

• 11/04/2004· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. A BEARING BLEW THROUGH THE LOWER CASING, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER FLUID. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPAIRED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT DESCRIBED IN RECALL 02V286000 CONCERNING POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY. HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK

• 11/03/2004· STEERING

  RECALL FOR STEERING, DIFFICULTY TURNING LEFT,POWER STEERING INOPERATIVE. REPLACED RACK AND PINION. *BF LEFT TURNS COULD ONLY BE DONE AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED AND AT A WIDE ANGLE. CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND WAS CHARGED FOR SERVICE. MECHANIC LEFT THE RECALL PAPERWORK ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT WAS FOUND BY THE CONSUMER SHOWING THAT HE USED THE PAPER WORK DETERMINE HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TC

• 11/02/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY OF RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. BEEN TO DLR 3 TIMES. DEALER REPLACED IGNITION MODULE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

• 11/01/2002· SEATS

  WHEN FOLDING THE REAR SEAT DOWN IT CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO MALFUNCTION. CONSUMER STATED THE OCCUPANT WAS UNABLE TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELT. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR THE THIRD ROW SEAT HAD AN OPEN GEAR MECHANISM THAT SERVERED THE SEAT BELTS ON EACH SIDE. THE PLASTIC GUARD WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO PROTECT THE BELT. THE SEATS WERE SEVERED BY THE REAR FOLDING PROCESS AND THE DRIVER'S MANUAL DOESN'T CAUTION THE POSSIBILITY. GM STATED THAT PROBLEM WAS A WEAR ISSUE WITHOUT EXAMINING THE VEHICLE. SCC *JB

• 11/01/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,TIRES

  I'VE HAD BRAKES FIXED, AND HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE! THE BACK-END KEEPS MAKING NOISE EVERY TIME YOU CHANGE THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR ANY OTHER GEAR. THE BRAKES SQUEAL A LOT AND THE BACK END SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO COME OFF, VERY LOUD AND VERY LOUD SQUEALING. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ANYONE TO BUY THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND I WON'T BUY ANOTHER ONE! CAR HAS HAD THESE PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASED NEW IN 1998, BUT UNDER A 5 YEAR LEASE, I FEEL STUCK! VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER!*AK

• 10/31/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE GLUE HOLDING THE HEADLIGHT LENS ON DRIES OUT. RIGHT LENS FELL OFF IN 3/2003. LEFT LENS FELL OFF IN AUGUST 2003. LENS IS NOT REPLACEABLE AND ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MUST BE PURCHASED FOR $140 FROM DEALER. THE BULB WILL FAIL ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHEN EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. *LA

• 10/23/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BEGAN TO SEE COOLANT POOLING ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY, TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO FIND THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHOULD HAVE BEEN A WARRANTY ITEM. DID NOT DAMAGE ENGINE, I WAS LUCKY AND SPOTTED THE SITUATION EARLY. *NM

• 10/18/2005· VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATS

  CONSUMER SLIDING DOOR ONLY WORKS MANUALLY, DRIVER SEAT DOES NOT HAVE EITHER MANUAL OR ELECTRONIC CONTROL. *TS THE POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS REPLACED. *JB

• 10/06/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RIGHT/LEFT HEAD LAMP ASSEMBLY FOGGED UP AND WATER BEADS FORMED O THE INSIDE. *BF *TC

• 10/06/1998· SEATS

  MY VEHICLE CONTAINS TWO ROWS OF REMOVABLE SEATS (CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS). THE SEATS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VAN, WHETHER MIDDLE OR BACK ROW, ARE SIMPLE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE. HOWEVER, THE SEATS ON THE RIGHT SIDE, BOTH FROM THE MIDDLE AND BACK ROW, ARE EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT TO RE-INSTALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY DEALER SAYS THAT EVERY SILHOUETTE IS LIKE THIS. THE EFFORT REQUIRED TO RE-INSTALL THESE SEATS CAUSES ONE TO JOCKEY IT BACK AND FORTH CAUSING THE LATCHING MECHANISM AND SEAT SLIDES TO MOVE AND EXPOSES FINGERS AND OTHER BODY PARTS TO INJURY.

• 10/05/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  RIGHT FRONT HEADLIGHT LENS IS GONE. THIS RESULTED IN THE HEADLIGHT SHATTERING DUE TO NO PROTECTION ON THE LIGHT BULB. *JB

• 10/04/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE MOVING AT SPEED EVEN AFTER THE FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE PEDAL. THE ONLY SYMPTOM JUST BEFORE THE INCIDENT WAS THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD MORE RESISTANCE THAN NORMAL WHEN PRESSING IT. DOWNSHIFTING GEARS OR SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL CAUSED THE ENGINE TO RACE AT A HIGH RPM. HAD TO CONSTANTLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND SHUT IT OFF. THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN AND WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD THE 60,000 ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PREFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN THE PAST 3,000 MILES. OLDSMOBILE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE BASICALLY SAID THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE CAN BREAK OVER TIME, AND THERE IS NO ISSUE. FILE # IS 1-262177273. *AK

• 10/03/1999· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WITHIN SEVERAL DAYS OF EACH REPAIR, THE COMPRESSOR JUST STOPS WORKING. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE PROBLEM IS A SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH THEY ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE AND REPAIR PROPERLY. AFTER THREE TO FIVE HOURS OF WAITING EACH TIME, ALL THEY HAVE DONE IS TO REPLACE THE BLOWN FUSE WHICH PROMPTLY BLOWS AGAIN WITHIN A FEW DAYS.

• 09/30/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  AS I WAS ACCELERATING INTO THE FAST LANE ON A FREEWAY IN DIAMOND BAR CA THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BROKE AND THE MOTOR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND IT WAS LIKE STEPPING ON A BRICK. THEY BARELY RESPONDED. I MADE IT TO AN OFF-RAMP, SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE VAN SLOWED DOWN BUT WOULD NOT STOP. I WENT UP ON THE CURB TO TRY AND SLOW IT DOWN MORE AND TO GET AROUND THE CARS WAITING AT THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OFF-RAMP. BY GOING UP ON THE CURB I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER AROUND THE CARS WITHOUT HITTING ANYONE AND MISSING LIGHT POLES. I KEPT SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE TO GET THE VAN TO THE SIDE STREET AND INTO THE PARKING LOT OF A CAR REPAIR. WHEN I WAS SAFELY IN THE PARKING LOT I SHIFTED INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE MOTOR. THE MECHANICS AT THE REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED I REPORT THE INCIDENT SINCE THE ACCELERATOR DIDN'T REACT IN THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE. IT WAS ONLY MY PRESENCE OF MIND AND THE ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER THAT KEPT ME FROM INJURING OTHERS AND BEING INJURED. EVERYONE I HAVE SPOKEN TO THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAS TOLD ME THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN THE WAY IT DID. A SAFETY MECHANISM SHOULD HAVE TAKEN OVER TO KEEP THE MOTOR FROM IDLING AT SUCH A HIGH RATE. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE AND DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. MARYLIN LEWIS 909-595-1275. *NM

• 09/30/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HEAD LIGHT COVER FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO BE INOPERTIVE DUE TO MOSITURE BUILD UP FROM EXPOSURE. DEALER CONTACTED. NLM THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THE 1997 & 1998 MODELS AND HAS HAD SEVERAL REQUESTS FOR THE PART, AND A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATING THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT/FAULTY PART. *SCC

• 09/30/2002· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT LENS CRACKED ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE COMPONENT, AND BLOWING OUT THE HEADLIGHT BULB. WHILE VISUALLY INSPECTING HEADLIGHTS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE LENS FELL OUT AND THE BULB BLEW. NLM THE CONSUMER STATES THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. SCC

• 09/28/2000· TIRES

  TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF LEAVING ONLY SIDEWALLS ON THE RIM. THIS HAPPENED INSTANTLY WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED. GM DEALER SAYS TIRE ONLY WARRENTED UNDER THE 36 MONTH BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. GENERAL TIRE DOES NOT WARRANT TIRES THAT ARE OME. (TIRESIZE: 215/70R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 215/70R15 )

• 09/26/1999· STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  IN THE STEERING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND THE BOTTOM AREA OF THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. THE BRAKES SEEM TO MAKE IT DO THAT WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE TROUBLE STEERING, IT'S VERY TIGHT.

• 09/25/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ABS MOTOR FAILED DISABILING ENTIRE ABS SYSTEM AT 58,821 MILES. NLM

• 09/23/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  VEHICLE DRIPPING FUEL FROM FUEL LINE UNDER VEHICLE. WHEN FUEL LINE WAS INSPECTED TO FIND CAUSE IT BEGAN SPRAYING FUEL AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE. FUEL LINE WAS CORRODED THROUGH FROM THE OUTSIDE. FUEL LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. *NM

• 09/21/2000· STEERING

  WHEN TRAVELING AND WATER GOES THROUGH, WATER SPLASHES UP TO THE SERPENTINE BELT/THE STEERING CUTS OFF. PROBLEM STARTED WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 20 TO 35MPH. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED, AND STEERING IS LOST. CONSUMER SAID THAT HE WILL CALL THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE DEALER SAID REPLACE BELT SHOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *YH

• 09/20/1999· STEERING

  THE POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF STEERING PROBLEM. *YC

• 09/15/2000· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN DRIVING THRU PUDDLES DURING RAIN, WATER SPLASHES ON THE SERPENTINE ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT , CAUSING THE POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY TO SLIP AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE SERVICE MANAGER A THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VAN SAID THERE WAS NO WAY TO TIGHTEN THE BELT. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOUR TIMES AND LUCKELY THE SPEED HAS BEEN SLOW AND THE STEERING CAME BACK AFTER A FEW SECONDS.

• 09/14/2000· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WITH FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND DRIVING OVER A PUDDLE , WATER WILL SPLASH FROM WHEEL AND GET INTO THE SERPENTINE BELT, CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. DEALER CLAIMED THIS WAS NORMAL.AK

• 09/12/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  COOLANT LEAKED FROM GASKET INTO ENGINE DEGRADING OIL AND RESULTED IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND COST. THE DOWNGRADING BEGAN WITH THIS EVENT. IL PUMP EVENTUALLY CLOGGED RESULTING IN LOW OIL PRESSURE & REPAIRED AGAIN. *AK EVENTUALLY, ENGINE SELF DESTRUCTED, WHILE ON FREEWAY, LOOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES RESULTING IN NEAR ACCIDENT WHILE EXITING FREEWAY. THEN HAD TO RENT A CHRYSLER VAN TO ESCAPE ONCOMING HURRICANE FRANCES. THIS IS MORE EXPENSE AND AGGRIVATION. ALL BECAUSE OF A FAULTY GASKET LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE. THIS LOOKS LIKE NEGLEGENT DESIGN ON GMS PART RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH.

• 09/11/2008· TIRES

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE VEHICLE HAS TOYO 800 ULTRA TIRES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 70-72 MPH, BOTH FRONT TIRES AND ONE REAR TIRE FLATTENED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. PRIOR TO THE FAILURES, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT WAS DRIVING UNEVENLY. THE TIRES FLATTENED INSTANTLY. THE FOURTH TIRE HAS CRACKS IN IT AND IS ABOUT TO FAIL LIKE THE OTHERS. THE TIRES HAD 20,000 MILES AND 75% PRORATION REMAINING. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 09/08/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN VEHICLE IS HALF OR FULL GAS CAN BE HEARD SPLASHING IN VEHICLE. FULL TANK WAS REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED. *AK

• 09/02/1999· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECrash

  CYLINDER IN THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING , CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER, RESULTING IN A MINOR COLLISION. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE THE GAS TANK. *AK

• 08/30/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHILE DRIVING, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE DIM. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY. ALSO, DIRTY WATER WAS LEAKING INTO THE HEADLIGHT LENS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR INSPECTION TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK DIRTY WATER CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO BECOME DIM. *SC *JB

• 08/27/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  CONSUMER STATED PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT LENS POPPED OFF. *AK

• 08/24/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEAD LIGHTS FILLED WITH CONDENSATION AND MAKES NIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT. *YC

• 08/19/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  THE SLIDING DOOR SENSOR WHICH MADE THE DOOR RETRACT IF THERE WAS AN OBJECT IN ITS PASSAGE WAY MALFUNCTIONED. THE DOOR SLID SHUT, PINING CONSUMER'S LEFT HAND IN THE DOOR. CONSUMER HANDS SUSTAINED SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE, BUT DIDN'T BREAK. *AK IN ADDITION THE WARNING CHIME DID NOT ACTIVATE TO INFORM THE CONSUMER THE DOOR WAS CLOSING. DEALER REPLACED DOOR LOCK SENSORS. *TT

• 08/18/1999· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HEAD LIGHTS FILLED WITH CONDENSATION AND MAKES NIGHT DRIVING DIFFICULT

• 08/17/2009· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR WAS REPAIRED ON JANUARY 7, 2002 PER RECALL 01V067000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH. THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE AND THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT LOCK OR LATCH. THE MANUAFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TIME ALLOTED FOR A SECOND REPAIR HAD EXPIRED DUE TO THE VEHICLES MILEAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,694 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 128,382.

• 08/17/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING THE VAN ABOUT 25 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. STARTED VIBRATING AND THE VAN CONTINUED AT THE SAME SPEED WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN AND WOULD NOT STOP. EVENTUALLY THE BRAKES CAME BACK AGAIN AND THE VAN STOPPED. THIS HAPPENED ON A SUNNY DRY DAY DURING NORMAL BRAKING. THE DEALER NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK