AI DamageOldsmobile Intrigue: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Oldsmobile Intrigue across 8 model years: 1,145 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 15% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 12% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- Steering: 269 complaints (23% of all), 12 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 255 complaints (22% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 167 complaints (15% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 138 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 120 complaints (10% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1999–2002named in 3 complaints
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1998–1999named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 1998–2002
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 1,145 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 269 | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 255 | 8 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 167 | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 138 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 120 | 8 | 0 |
| Visibility | 77 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 69 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 64 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 61 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 60 | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 29 | 22 | 0 |
| Tires | 28 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 25 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 24 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash. The failure mileage was unknown.
While driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic and the steering wheel seized. As a result, a tractor trailer crashed into the passenger side door of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle spun around numerous times onto the other side of the road and crashed into a guardrail.
Consumer writes in regards to vehicle shut-off while driving and airbags never deployed. The consumer stated he was driving on a flat street, when the vehicle shut off. He went off the road and hit a wall. The consumer stated he had several keys on his key ring.
As a result, the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system) prior to the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure.
Rollover accident, car was totaled, driver required to be airlifted to the hospital.
The contact stated that while making a u-turn, the vehicle suddenly stalled causing the power steering and power brakes to also stop working. The contact lost control of the vehicle during the incident and crashed into a curb. The contact suffered a neck injury. A police report was not filed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.