NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 85 owner complaints for the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (14) and electrical system (10). The EPA rates it 20 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.
“2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE WITH BAD INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GASKET LEAKED. HE STATED HE HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED BY A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. *KB”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.”
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANYTIME A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT STRAPS BECOME SO TIGHT THAT THE CONTACT HAS TO REMOVE THE BOLTS IN THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PROVIDE A RESOLUTION. THE VEHICLE MODEL WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000.”
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 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 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 |
9 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 85 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (14), electrical system (10), power train (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).