NHTSA — Exterior Lighting: Headlights Problems

6.6

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
10,204 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette lights problems

lights problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Nov 082005

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Sanit Joseph, MN, USA

problem #26

Mar 082004

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The headlight lens covers fell off of the vehicle. This was the second occurrence for this problem. Dealer recommended that consumer purchase the entire set to rectify the problem.

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #25

Aug 272004

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
Consumer stated passenger's side headlight lens popped off.

- Salfordville, PA, USA

problem #24

Jul 152004

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The consumer stated that both of the head lamps fell out. She stateed that one fell out a year ago. Now just recently the other fell out. The headlight began to smoke when it was placed on high beams. Both incidents required the headlights to be completely replaced.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #23

Mar 211998

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Drivers side headlamd lens cover fell off.

- Hemlock, MI, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #22

Dec 232003

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,500 miles
While driving both plastic headlights lenses fell off. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. The technician indicated that this was a common problem with the GMC products.

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #21

Aug 192003

Silhouette

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #20

Jan 212003

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
Both front headlamp lenses have popped off while driving, causing the lamps to burn out. I understand this is a comman problem, a design defect, and replacements ought to be forthcoming.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

problem #19

Nov 042002

Silhouette

  • miles
Headlamp covers on 1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette van fall off causing the bulbs to blow when moisture, such as rain, hits the bulb.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #18

Sep 272002

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
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

- Cattaraugus, NY, USA

problem #17

Sep 032002

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #16

Aug 122002

Silhouette

  • miles
Headlight lens cover fell off. Adhesive holding covers has dried and cracked. Headlights frequently have moisture problems due to leaks in adhesive holding covers. I have been told this is a common problem with 1997-current General Motors mini vans. Dealer declined to replace headlight assembly. Contacted Oldsmobile 1-800-442-6537. Oldsmobile customer service offered 50% discount on purchase of replacement parts. I believe product itself is defective. I have found numerous complaints on this website citing this same problem. I do not foresee replacing current headlights as solution to problem. I believe replacement lenses will also fall off when adhesive deteriorates.

- Pengilly, MN, USA

problem #15

Jun 162002

Silhouette

  • miles
The lens cover on the headlight dropped off due to inferior glue used. It is a known problem to Oldsmobile. The other lens cover is loose and will probably fall off soon if not fixed or replaced.

- Metairie, LA, USA

problem #14

Nov 152001

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer stated the left headlight cover fell off while driving, the right headlight cover was loose and had to be tightened..

- Williamsport, PA, USA

problem #13

Jan 182002

Silhouette

  • miles
I have had numerous problems with this car since I purchased it. The power sliding side door has benn repaired 2 or 3 times and still works intermittently. The headlights have been repaced once and repaired once and they now have water inside causing the lights to perform poorly. The air bag warning light was repaired at a cost of $80 due to corrosion causing the light to come on. The check engine light comes on if you drive over 100 miles then eventually goes off. Now, the major problem is that I have been told by my mechanic that I have a blown head gasket or cracked block which is causing antifreeze to leak into my oil. There is a possibility that the engine needs replaced. I noted numerous instances of blown head gaskets on GM message boards. This seems to be an ongoing problem. I contacted GM and received no offer of help. The request # given to me was 06214553. This is the 7th or 8th GM vehicle I have owned and have never had any problems. This one has been nothing but a problem. Does this classify as a "lemon"? any help would be appreciated.

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

problem #12

Jun 212001

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Water is leaking down into headlights and fog lights. Head lights have been replaced twice. Lining to seal unit is being destroyed. Water damage is causing lights not to reflect. Dealer has been contacted, but no response to the problem. Consumer states there is a design defect, the light modules are not sealed and moisture gets in and can not escape through small drain holes, resulting in electric connections failing and the reflective material in the module fails, consumer also feels the high humidity in the area exaggerates the problem, Oldsmobile refuses to make an adjustment.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #11

Feb 012001

Silhouette

  • miles
Right front headlight fell out, was replaced by consumer, GMC not willing to cover, even though this is the fourth vehicle that has experienced this problem.

- Versailles, KY, USA

problem #10

Feb 072001

(reported on)

Silhouette

  • miles
Adhesive behind headlight lens is prematurely wearing, causing lens cover to fall off.

- Deer Isle, MI, USA

problem #9

Jan 122001

Silhouette

  • miles
Headlight lens broke off which caused water to get to headlight bulbs and burn them out. This caused visual difficulty, and could resulted in a crash. Mechanic said common problem.

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #8

May 022000

(reported on)

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Headlight cover has moisture inside, and will fill up with water. Dealer has been contacted.

- Mercer Island, WA, USA

Read the next 7 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?