2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette Reliability Score: 8.9 out of 10

36 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

0 Fire Reports

6 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

8.9 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar minivans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 8 powertrain complaints. A typical minivan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 24.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall8 complaints against about 24 for similar vehicles

8.9

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

3.4-V6-Gas

3.4L 6-cyl

24 complaints 17.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

other

safety systems

engine

body

cooling

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Tahoe (2007-2014)CHEVROLET Suburban (2007-2014)CADILLAC STS (2005-2011)PORSCHE 911 (2000-2004)PORSCHE 911 (2005-2011)PORSCHE 911 (2020-2025)

+3 more

CHEVROLET Venture (2000-2005)PORSCHE 911 (2012-2019)GMC Yukon (2000-2006)

Oldsmobile Silhouette Unidentified Engine

12 complaints 12.0 per year

6 fatalities

View details

Complaint Breakdown

wheels tires

engine

body

exterior

suspension

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.

Safety Systems: 5 owner complaints

Engine: 5 owner complaints

Body/Trim: 5 owner complaints

Wheels & Tires: 5 owner complaints

Recalls (5)

09E005000Feb 17, 2009serious

Steering

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.

08E050000Aug 11, 2008serious

Exterior Lighting

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."

07E021000Mar 12, 2007serious

Fuel System, Other

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.

04V597000Dec 22, 2004serious

Latches/Locks/Linkages

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.

02V222000Aug 9, 2002cosmetic

Air Bags

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.

All Generations

20002000 20012001 20022002 20032003

Alternatives in Minivan

2 engines / 741 complaints

4 engines / 1,824 complaints

5 engines / 29 complaints

2 engines / 33 complaints

4 engines / 80 complaints

3 engines / 45 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2003-2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette complaints?

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the engine and the body and trim.

Is the 2003-2003 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 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 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 2003-2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette have?

NHTSA has 36 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2003 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 2003-2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2003-2003 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 safety systems, the engine and the body and trim, 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 2003 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. 36 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.