NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 118 owner complaints for the 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (29) and electrical system (18). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY OVER HEATING MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. A PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT IN MARCH 2011 HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL STARTED POURING OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REFUELING THE VEHICLE TOOK AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO ACCOMPLISH. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE O-RING AND RETAINER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000.”
“POWER SLIDING DOOR LATCH ACTUATOR FAILURE. LATCH IS STUCK IN OPEN POSITION, WILL NOT LATCH. EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS RECALLS NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V067000 AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V264000. OLDSMOBILE STATES VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ALREADY IN 2002. I PURCHASED USED WITH LOW MILES (AROUND 70K) IN 2009. VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND IS IN CLOSE TO SHOWROOM CONDITION AS YOU COULD FIND FOR A 2000. OLDSMOBILE STATES THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE REPAIR TO CONSIDER ANY ONGOING RECALLS. OLDSMOBILE INFORMS ME THAT WITH A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR CONDITION, MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PARTS SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO FAIL. SOMEHOW, I DON'T CONSIDER MY DOOR FLYING OPEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD TO BE JUST A MINOR FAILURE OR INCONVENIENCE. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, ONE THAT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED ENOUGH THAT THERE WAS AN INITIAL RECALL, THEN A SECOND RECALL TO FIX THE FIRST RECALL. OBVIOUSLY, THIS WAS A BAND AID REPAIR. I GOT MOST OF THE SERVICE RECORDS FROM THE FIRST TWO OWNERS. THIS VEHICLE WAS USED MOSTLY BY AN OLDER COUPLE AND THE SLIDING DOOR HAS MUCH LOWER THAN AVERAGE USE FOR A…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silhouette 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
8 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (29), electrical system (18), structure (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Oldsmobile Silhouette at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).