Oldsmobile U-van problems
The Oldsmobile Silhouette is a minivan manufactured by General Motors for model years 1990–2004 over two generations.
Production ended when General Motors discontinued its Oldsmobile brand in 2004. GM continued to market badge-engineered variants of the U-body minivans, the Saturn Relay and the Buick Terraza for MY2005.
Background
General Motors' first attempt at producing a minivan to compete with the Chrysler minivans, the rear wheel drive, truck-based Chevrolet Astro and its twin, the GMC Safari failed to compete strongly against Chrysler's dominance in the minivan market in the 1980s. The 1990 Oldsmobile Silhouette and its sibling models, sold more successfully than the Astro/Safari predecessors.
First shown to the public in 1986, the Pontiac Trans Sport concept car featured futuristic styling, individually removable bucket seats with built-in stereo speakers, a gull-wing rear passenger door and extensive use of glass including a glass-paneled roof.
The Trans Sport was approved for production without the gullwing door and the glass roof. Chevrolet and Oldsmobile received production vehicles based on the Trans Sport with the Lumina APV and Silhouette respectively. While the Pontiac Trans Sport was targeted at sport- and style-oriented buyers, the Lumina was the value offering and the Silhouette targeted premium markets, competing with the Chrysler Town & Country.
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Oldsmobile U-van model years
Common Oldsmobile U-van problems
Oldsmobile Silhouette, a minivan manufactured by General Motors from 1990 to 2004, was known for its unique design and features. However, it also had some common problems that affected its reliability and performance.
One of the most common problems with the Oldsmobile Silhouette was transmission failure. The transmission system was prone to issues such as slipping, jerking, and eventually failing completely. This problem was often caused by worn-out gears, low fluid levels, or faulty sensors. Transmission failure could result in a complete loss of power while driving, which could be dangerous and expensive to repair.
Another common problem with the Oldsmobile Silhouette was overheating. The vehicle's cooling system was not always able to keep up with the demands of the engine, leading to overheating and potential engine damage. This problem was often caused by leaks in the cooling system or a faulty thermostat. Overheating could also cause the vehicle to stall or fail to start, which could be inconvenient and potentially dangerous.
Coolant leaks were also a common problem with the Oldsmobile Silhouette. The vehicle's coolant system was prone to leaks, which could result in a loss of coolant and eventually lead to overheating. Coolant leaks could be caused by worn-out hoses, a faulty radiator, or a damaged water pump. This problem could be expensive to repair, as it often required replacing multiple parts of the cooling system.
Electrical faults were another common problem with the Oldsmobile Silhouette. The vehicle's electrical system was prone to issues such as blown fuses, faulty wiring, and malfunctioning sensors. Electrical faults could result in a loss of power to various parts of the vehicle, such as the lights, radio, or power windows. This problem could be difficult to diagnose and repair, as it often required specialized knowledge and equipment.
In addition to these common problems, the Oldsmobile Silhouette was also known for its controversial design. The vehicle's sloped windshield and long distance to the base of the windshield made for a disconcerting driving experience. Automotive magazines even christened the new minivans "dustbusters" due to their similar profile to a household appliance. The first engine in these vans was a meager 3.1 L V6, which produced only 120 hp (89 kW), and was not up to the task of hauling these fairly heavy vehicles.
In conclusion, the Oldsmobile Silhouette was a unique and innovative minivan, but it was also prone to a number of common problems. Transmission failure, overheating, coolant leaks, and electrical faults were all common issues that affected the vehicle's reliability and performance. Additionally, the vehicle's controversial design and underpowered engine made it less than ideal for some drivers. Despite these issues, the Oldsmobile Silhouette remains a popular choice among collectors and enthusiasts due to its unique features and rarity.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Oldsmobile U-van years
We have researched Oldsmobile problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Oldsmobile U-van cars and compiled the top 1 most problematic Oldsmobile U-van model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Oldsmobile U-van model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Oldsmobile U-van years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Oldsmobile U-van car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Oldsmobile U-van , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Oldsmobile U-van vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Oldsmobile U-van . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Oldsmobile U-van vehicles.
List of Oldsmobile U-van complaints
Oldsmobile U-van 1999
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-25
- Date Complaint: 2005-01-25
- VIN: 1GHDX03E5XD
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE (1999 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE) USED AND WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS AND TCS, AND NOW THE REAR BRAKES. IT FIRST HAPPENED WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE AND MY WIFE NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITH MY 2-YEAR OLD AND 4-MONTH OLD DAUGHTER'S IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME. IT HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING. WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE A MONTH AND HAD IT TOWED THIS MORNING TO HAVE AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP LOOK AT IT. THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT COVERED IN OUR WARRANTY AND FROM READING THE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE, WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE AN INVESTIGATION OF THIS. *NM
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