Silhouette (2002)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LA1
3.4L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Oldsmobile Silhouette Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Oldsmobile Silhouette, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette
On a used 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the body and structure (15), the seats, seat belts and interior (9) and the engine (8). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette about the body and structure.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette about the seats, seat belts and interior.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette about the engine.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette about the suspension.
Recalls (5)
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 THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
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 ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Alternatives in Minivan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette complaints?
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The systems they name most often are the body and trim, the interior and the engine.
Is the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2002-2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Oldsmobile Silhouette?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the body and trim, the interior and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Silhouette have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 56 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.