Model year record

2003 OLDSMOBILE Silhouette

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 40 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V597000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 717,302
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-12-22
Owners notified: 2005-05-31

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V222000

Air bags: frontal

Component: Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 133,221
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-08-09
Owners notified: 2002-08-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Air bags: frontal	3	10,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	29,675 mi
Wheels	3	45,000 mi
Air bags	2	141,000 mi
Engine	2	130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	92,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	2	1,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	2	42,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	2	51,953 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	90,000 mi
Electrical system	1	69,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	1,000 mi
Exterior lighting	1	130,020 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	5,261 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors	1	4,600 mi
Fuel system, other	1	101,000 mi
Seat belts: front: webbing	1	37,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	1	8,600 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	1	5,261 mi
Structure: body	1	—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	52,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	1	13,831 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	65,000 mi
Tires	1	29,580 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	1 mi
Visibility	1	59,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	13,831 mi

The 2002 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.