NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints for the 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette. Most complaints involve tires (4) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 18–20 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.
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.
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 2004 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MASTERCRAFT STRATEGY TIRES (N/A), TIRE SIZE 225/60/16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FOUR TIRES WERE BALANCED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,963.”
“2004 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE LUXURY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RADIO, LOCKS, SLIDING DOORS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL ALL MALFUNCTION. *JS”
“MY 10 YEAR OLD NIECE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF OUR 2004 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE OUTSIDE THE MALL. THE MOTOR WAS ALREADY RUNNING, IN PARK, AS I HAD COME TO PICK UP MY DAUGHTER AND NIECE FROM THE MALL. THE DOOR APPEARED TO BE LOCKED SINCE IT WOULD NOT OPEN, SO I PUSHED 'UNLOCK' A FEW TIMES AS SHE AND MY GROWN DAUGHTER TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR. I JUST HEARD A CLICKING SOUND OF THE UNLOCK MECHANISM AS IF IT WAS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, SO MY NIECE ENTERED THROUGH THE MANUAL SIDE DOOR ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VAN. WE DROVE ABOUT 3 BLOCKS FROM THE MALL TO THE STOPLIGHT OF A MAJOR CITY STREET. ABOUT HALF A BLOCK OR LESS AFTER TAKING A LEFT AT THE INTERSECTION STOPLIGHT, THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VAN JUST OPENED. MY NIECE LOUDLY EXCLAIMED THAT THE DOOR OPENED AND TRIED TO REACH ACROSS FROM HER BUCKLED POSITION ON THE LEFT BUCKET SEAT. MY DAUGHTER AND I BOTH SHRIEKED AND SAID FOR HER NOT TO GET NEAR IT. MY DAUGHTER WAS SEATED UP FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REACHED BACK TO THE WINDOW LEDGE OF THE OPEN SLIDING DOOR AND TRIED TO PULL IT SHUT. IT SHUT MOST OF THE WAY, BUT NOT FULLY. I PULLED…”
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 |
| Silhouette AWD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| 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 |
3 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 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are tires (4), electrical system (2), structure (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette at 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).