Head-to-head reliability
Oldsmobile Silhouette vs Honda Accord
How the Oldsmobile Silhouette and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Oldsmobile Silhouette vs Honda Accord: The Silhouette averaged 64 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Accord averaged 452 per year over 10 years. The Silhouette had 7 deaths and 42 injuries; the Accord had 3 deaths and 146 injuries. Both have recalls, but reported failures differ. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Oldsmobile Silhouette or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Oldsmobile Silhouette
The Oldsmobile Silhouette is a minivan that averaged about 64 complaints per year over five years, with 30 recalls and 7 deaths reported. Owners frequently report engine misfires, electrical smoke from the A/C switch, and power sliding doors that open or close unexpectedly. Living with one means staying on top of door and electrical fixes, as these issues can be both annoying and risky.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a sedan with a much higher average of about 452 complaints per year over ten years, plus 38 recalls and 3 deaths. Complaints often involve engine stalling or rattling, electrical failures like power steering and braking lockup, and forward collision avoidance systems that brake unexpectedly. Buyers should be aware that many reports come from newer models with advanced electronics.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Oldsmobile Silhouette | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 321 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 19 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 64.2 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 42 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 7 | 3 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Oldsmobile Silhouette
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING56
- 02STRUCTURE38
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
- 04LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES26
- 05POWER TRAIN24
Owners report the check engine light coming on after acceleration, with a failed spark plug sound and no compression in a cylinder due to a stripped rocker arm bolt. Another complaint notes a foul odor from the A/C unit, possibly bacterial growth. These can mean costly engine repairs or health concerns.
Power sliding doors may not stop when meeting an obstacle, and one report describes a door that appeared locked but opened unexpectedly. A separate crash report mentions a van crossing a median and colliding with a pickup, killing six. Buyers should test door operation carefully.
Owners describe a burning odor and smoke from the air vents when the A/C switch is activated, and another reports the radio, locks, sliding doors, and instrument panel all malfunctioning. These electrical faults can lead to fire risk or leave you stranded.
Complaints include rear power sliding doors that fail to auto-stop on contact and a left sliding door that opened without warning while driving, with the door chime sounding. This is a serious safety concern for passengers, especially children.
“AFTER ACCELERATING TO PASSING GEAR, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON .. AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE THE SPARK PLUG FAILED. THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK SAID THERE WAS NO COMPRESSION IN THE #2 CYLINDER. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE ROCKER ARM BOLT HAD STRIPPE…”
“THERE IS A VERY FOUL ODOR THAT EMITS FROM THE A/C UNIT ON MY 2003 OLDS SILHOUETTE VAN. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY BE SOME SORT OF BACTERIAL/FUNGUS GROWTH THAT MAY BE MAINIFESTING ITSELF IN THE A/C UNIT. I DON'T WANT PEOPLE GETTING SERIOUSLY ILL BEFORE SOME S…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report alarms for brake, hill descent, ABS, and critical failure while driving, with the vehicle losing speed. Another notes rattling noises like a diesel engine and rough transitions between EV and gas modes. These can indicate major powertrain issues.
A 2025 Accord Hybrid had electronic power steering and braking systems fail and lock up at highway speeds, causing a near-collision. Another report describes a TPMS warning followed by a catastrophic tire failure. Electrical glitches can be sudden and dangerous.
Owners say the system failed to resolve a threat, and another reports adaptive cruise control suddenly braking under the same conditions twice. This can cause unexpected braking or a crash if the system does not respond correctly.
Complaints include a persistent rotten-egg sulfur odor that remained after a filter replacement, and a foot slipping behind a plastic side panel. These may seem minor but can point to larger quality or design issues.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Oldsmobile Silhouette — 30 recalls
The defect: 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 risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-24…
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RES…
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: B…
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
The defect: 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 risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-24…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
Oldsmobile Silhouette or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Oldsmobile Silhouette has far fewer complaints per year (about 64) than the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Silhouette has a higher ratio of deaths to complaints. In practice, the Accord's higher volume means more reported problems, especially with electronics, while the Silhouette's issues often involve doors and engine failures.
Key differences
- The Silhouette averages about 64 complaints per year, while the Accord averages about 452 per year, but the Accord's data covers ten years versus five for the Silhouette.
- Silhouette owners frequently report power sliding door failures and engine misfires, while Accord owners report engine stalling, electrical lockups, and forward collision avoidance problems.
- The Silhouette has 7 deaths and 42 injuries in its data, while the Accord has 3 deaths and 146 injuries, showing different severity patterns.
- Both have recalls, but the Silhouette's recalls include steering and door latches, while the Accord's include hybrid software and fuel pump issues.
- Test both power sliding doors multiple times to ensure they stop when meeting an obstacle and do not open unexpectedly while driving.
- Check for engine misfires, rough idle, or a check engine light, and listen for a failed spark plug sound or rattling that could indicate a stripped rocker arm bolt.
- During a test drive, watch for sudden warnings like brake, ABS, or hill descent failure, and feel for any loss of power or steering lockup.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and adaptive cruise control if equipped, and note any unexpected braking or failure to respond to obstacles.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Silhouette's engine compression, sliding door mechanisms, and electrical system for burning smells or smoke.
- For the Accord, scan for stored error codes related to the engine, electrical system, and forward collision avoidance, and test all electronic features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for the Accord's hybrid system or the Silhouette's door and engine repairs.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to reproduce reported issues like stalling, rattling, or door malfunctions.
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Oldsmobile Silhouette or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Oldsmobile Silhouette vs Honda Accord
- Oldsmobile Silhouette total complaints
- 321
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Oldsmobile Silhouette total recalls
- 30
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Oldsmobile Silhouette avg complaints/year
- 64.2
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- Oldsmobile Silhouette
- Oldsmobile Silhouette top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE