NHTSA — Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist System Problems

9.3

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette steering problems

steering problem

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1997 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner Comments

problem #6

Jan 051998

Silhouette 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When turning the vehicle off, the horn continuously sounded and all the doors automatically locked. The doors could not be manually opened. The consumer had to turn the vehicle on and wait for a period of five to ten minutes and then turn the vehicle off to get out of the vehicle. Also, power steering fluid had to be added every 10,000 miles and the vehicle overheated due to faulty gaskets. The engine had been replaced twice. When the doors locked, the windows would not open, the dash lights and overhead lights would go out while the vehicle was in motion, the power locks would chatter while the vehicle was in motion, the lights went out in the dash, the driver doors would unlock while the vehicle was in motion, all the doors would lock when the vehicle was stopped and could not be opened manually or open the windows, all of the doors would unlock when the vehicle was in motion and was intermittent, the left door would not unlock when the ignition was turned off, the steering pump went dry while driving and the pump went dry 5 additional times after 1005K miles, the doors locked when the ignition was turned off and would be unable to open the door(s) or window, the power windows were inoperative, the driver mirror would shake, there was moisture in the head lamp, the headlights would go dim at night when the heater was turned on, the left rear window rattled, the wiring chaffed on the stud under the carpet in the vehicle, and the electrical remote did not work until the consumer was close to the vehicle. There were times when the doors were locked after the ignition switch was off, the horn would start blowing and would not shut off until the ignition switch was turned back on. The power mirror were inoperative.

- Bolivar, OH, USA

problem #5

Mar 042003

(reported on)

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle was taken to the shop for recall repairs to the rack and pinion bearing and the power steering. This recall required that the air bags, horn and cruise control be reset. The dealer refused to do this because it was not part of the recall.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #4

Jul 292002

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer attempted to make a left turn at very slow speed power steering would not work, and the left turn was not possible. Vehicle has not been taken to dealer yet.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

problem #3

May 111999

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Serious safety issue - power assist steering momentarily inoperable on 1/13, 3/12, 4/12, 4/14, 5/11, 5/12 (twice) and 5/13. Occurs when driving through water puddles. Dealer attempted to fix with after market belt. Problem is worse now because length of outage is more brief and just when driver added pressure to steer without power assist it started to work causing overcorrection. Vehicle is currently at dealer for scrutiny. On 4/21, automatic sliding door popped open when car gear shift was moved out of park position. This is not supposed to happen. Dealer cleaned contacts and days later the unit broke. Dealer has completed most of repair. Injury to passenger next to door could occur if door were to open while driving.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #2

Apr 221999

Silhouette

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Upon using the passenger's sliding door and locking the door and consumer putting vehicle into drive, the door will pop open. Also, when driving through some water vehicle will lose power steering.

- Sugarland, TX, USA

problem #1

Mar 291999

Silhouette

  • miles
While driving vehicle about 30 mph and when it is raining, consumer could drive over a pothole and lose control due to power steering failure.

- Golf Port, MS, USA

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