Three problems related to transmission failure have been reported for the 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
After reading the other complaints on power train, auto transmission I noticed all the same issues. We too experienced heavy jerking over the last two years at intermittent times and reported to the dealer who could not repeat the occurrence and took no action. Dreher holloway. At 48,000 miles, the transmission failed and the dealer closest to the incident, merrimack street garage, recommended replacement, not repair. Rental car and repair, almost $4000. Gm is not covering the cost or admitting any ownership of the problem. Dreher holloway is no longer an olds dealer. They did a "30,000 mile gm service plus service on the transmission, that provides extended trouble free service". That was $400 wasted. Is this acceptable performance?.
My 1999 olds Silhouette van has experienced a second transmission failure. The first with 35k miles, and the second one 27k miles later. I have researched numerous other complaints with this same type of gm transmission indicating transmission failures. This is unacceptable. Gm is trying to pass it off as an unusual misfortune on my behalf. Further investigation into these failures is needed for the consumer safety and vehicle reliability. I should not be having to put a third transmission into a 4 year old vehicle.
Transmission totally failed at about 45,000 miles. Car was being driven up a small hill and it sounded like the transmission fell out. Was unable to go more than 20 mph to drive to safety. Dealer had vehicle for 1 week. Transmission was totally overhauled. At the time, a mechanic at the dealer mentioned that gm was aware that this model and year Silhouette had a history of this type of problem. That repair was over $1,000. Car again had the problem at 75,000 miles - conveniently when the warranty ran out but despite numerous attempts, the dealer could not replicate the problem. The car will run fine for about 25 miles and then transmission will begin to whine and will jerk when shifting up through the gears. When the car is parked the problem will then not return until the car is driven again for some time.