Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 8 | 13% |
| Air bags | 6 | 10% |
| Power train | 6 | 10% |
| Visibility | 4 | 7% |
| Tires | 4 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 7% |
| Seats | 3 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 5% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SEAT BELTS WERE WORN, AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
1995 OLDSMOBILE AURORA, GM'S REAL WINNER HERE!!! WHERE DO I START? WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH OVER HEATING PROBLEMS, AND HAVE CHANGED WATER PUMPS, RADIATOR, RADIATOR FLUSHES, THERMOSTATS, A HANDFUL OF ALTERNATORS, TWICE T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE GM#04014 NHTSA #04V110000 FROM GM SEPT. 2004. SEPT. 14, 2004 SHOTTENKIRK, FORT MADISON, IA DID INSPECTION FOR RECALL-"NO REPLACEMENT REQUIRED". JUNE 2005 MYSELF/PASSENGERS (ONE WAS 2) WERE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DT: THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME AND BACK REST SPLIT APART, ON THE INSIDE. THE CONSUMER HAD IT WELDED BACK TOGETHER AND PUT A BRACE ON THE SEAT. THE DEALER (ALICIA MILAM 866-932-4368 X38573) REFUSED TO FIX IT. REF# 1-32536
NHTSA complaint: Seats
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH. THIS CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION, RESULTING IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
ONE NIGHT THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF. WHEN THE RADIO IS TURNED ON IT WILL STAY ON THE SELECTED STATION FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN IT WILL START SKIPPING THROUGH ALL THE STATIONS. SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL WORK A
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES, FIRST TIME MAY 1998, FAILED NOV 1998, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, FAILED AGAIN MAY 2003, OUT OF WARRANTY AT 117,000 MILES
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
1995 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUTTE... WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY GOING ABOUT 45-55 MPH VAN LOST POWER AND CONTROL OF STEERING ETC HAD TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROADHAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6-10 TIMES SINCE THEN HAVE HAD CHECKED NO KNOWN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 1991 THROUGH JULY 1995. THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE CAN SEPARATE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN LOW TEMPERATURES IN COMBINATION WITH HIGH TRANSMISSION LOADS.
Risk: VEHICLE FIRES CAN OCCUR DUE TO THE SPILLAGE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES.
IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED BRAKE PEDAL ARM CAUSES THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM TO FRACTURE DURING BRAKING.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKE OPERATION INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL SUSPECT BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLIES.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 60 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 8 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.