NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
299,572 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.

1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette electrical problems

electrical problem

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1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner Comments

problem #7

May 092016

Silhouette

  • 1,647,003 miles

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

Car won't start unless you wiggle the key in the ignition switch. Can die at any time while driving.

- Sterling, CO, USA

problem #6

Jan 142014

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • 185,000 miles
I was driving in town when a car pulled out of a parking spot right in front of me giving me two feet to stop at 25 mph. I stopped but my brakes blew. Total failure of two brakes. The engine. According to your complaints I might have a gasket to replace because I have a coolant light on and it doesn't need any. The repairman said I needed a new sensor. Hmmm. Electrical. Fuel gauge is inoperable. Coolant light wrong. Airbag lights can't make up their mind if they work or not. The car locks me out repeatedly. The power windows won't work..dangerous here with all the rivers and waterways. The sliding doors don't work. None of the power controls in the key fob work(yes, I checked the battery). Oh..and it has a indoor shower when it rains. Roof failure, fault in design. Could you please tell me if past service bulletins I just found on your site still pertain? there are many for this vehicle and its issues. Please advise. Thank you.

- Woodhull, IL, USA

problem #5

Sep 032010

Silhouette

  • miles
Left side brake / tail light melts. Bulb base melts then causes an open short. Bulb has been replaced several times. Last 3 to 4 months before failure (melted base) and bulb replacement. It also causes the traction control system (tcs) to show an intermittent fault or be inoperative.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #4

Apr 152010

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles

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

Just pulling out of the driveway when smoke started coming out of interior vents. Turned off van got out and flames started coming from under the hood. Total loss of vehicle and contents. No injuries sustained. Miles high but not actual, replaced motor with 80,000 mile motor when we bought the vehicle. Newer engine came from another olds Silhouette that had a dash fire.

- Montpelier, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 142008

Silhouette

  • 85,000 miles
Brake light plug ins are melting and brake light will not work.

- Trimble, MO, USA

problem #2

Apr 172002

(reported on)

Silhouette

  • miles
I have had this vehicle since 3/99. In which time I have had to bring it back for transmission problems, electrical problems, leaking fuel injectors, brakes, non working cruise control which led to the dealer replacing the compressor. Front end leaked anti freeze which led to another major job. I am not a happy motorist here. The steering column squeeked. They greased it. Turned out there was a problem with the rackinpinion. I know something about cars and I know that for the amount I pay for this vehicle, I shouldn't be having these major problems. Bandade fixes don't cut it with me. Nlm

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #1

Jul 071999

Silhouette

  • miles
My family and I were traveling when there was an explosion under the front passenger seat. There were sparks and smoke and the smell of something burning. I lost control temporarily and then I pulled over and we all got out of the car. The instrument panel went haywire meaning that some lights went out while other lights came on. The "airbag" and "service engine soon" lights came on. The compass when out. I took the car in to be serviced.at that time I was informed of another car like ours was brought in for the same problem. I was later told(1 week) the computer told the satbelt retractor to explode. They claim to have fixed the problem however, I feel that the safety of my family eand I are in serious jeopardy if we continue to drive this car.

- Dayton, OH, USA

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