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 155 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and it carries 7 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 44 | 28% |
| Power train | 13 | 8% |
| Structure | 12 | 8% |
| Air bags | 10 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 3% |
| Visibility | 5 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
CAR WON'T START UNLESS YOU WIGGLE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. CAN DIE AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PLACE AT WORSHIP WHEN A FRIEND TOLD ME I HAD NO BACKUP LIGHTS. I WENT STRAIGHT TO THE AUTO SUPPLY STORE. REPLACING THE BULBS DID NOT WORK. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WENT E
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE ENGINE. THE COOLANT LOW LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN THOUGH IT ISN'T.. HAVE HAD IT CHECKED. THEY SAID ITS ALL OK. THEN I READ THESE COMPLAINTS. WHY AREN'T THEY BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT!!!!! ITS THEIR DEFECT, NOT OU
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 COMPLAIN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
COULD NOT ENGAGE DRIVE GEAR BUT WOULD ENGAGE IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR AND REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE GEAR AND IT FAILED TO MOVE FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE SHIFT CABLE BACK IN PL
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 CO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I AM IN ARMY & WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ONE MORNING AT 5:30 AM MY VAN SLOWLY STARTED ACCELERATING THE MORE I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE FASTER THE VAN WENT, BY THE TIME I REACHED THE STREET THE VAN WAS UP TO 50 MPH I WAS AFRAID
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1999 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.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
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.
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
Fix: 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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1997-2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA/TRANSPORT, AND OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOORS THAT WERE SERVICED IN CAMPAIGN 01013 (01V-067) FROM APRIL TO AUGUST 2001. ALSO 2001 CHEVROLET VENTURE, PONTIAC MONTANA, AND OLDSMOBILE SI
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR CAN OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE VEHICLE ASCENDS A HILL, MAKES A TURN, OR TRAVELS OVER A ROUGH ROAD SURFACE. AN UNRESTRAINED OCCU
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF REQUIRED, INSTALL A NEW POWER SLIDING DOOR UNLATCH ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DE
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 44 of them (28%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) 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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 68/100. 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.