AI Damage1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue reliability: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue filed 256 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 256
- involving a crash
- 11
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 24% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 11% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 9% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 61 complaints (24% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 58 complaints (23% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 51 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 29 complaints (11% of all).
- Visibility: 22 complaints (9% of all), 1 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
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 256 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 61 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 58 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 51 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 29 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 16 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 15 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 6 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer's vehicle struck a dirt pile at 30 mph and the air bags did not deploy.
Vehicle engine shuts off at speeds between 35-65 mph resulting in loss of steering capabilities. Which is a possible cause of accident on 7/5/03 that resulted in death and injury.
Air bags did not deploy. Concerned on whether this is due to manufacture defect or used car dealer negligence.
The car is was 6 months old and I hit a storm drain.the subframe assembly was replaced,also other components including but not limited to, the right strut,the left axle, 3 tires.the steering started shaking after the 'repair'. The car has been brought in to repair shops numerous times over past 6 months.
Car will not start, not turn over or anything. Security light will come on while driving. Never know when the car will start. Have been towed to mechanic 3 times in 72 hrs. He has checked all connections and all are good. He can find nothing wrong. Will start a few times then nothing.
The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise that progressed, which sounded like a knocking associated with the engine assembly rods. While driving an 20 mph rate of speed, the vehicle failed to move.
Speedometer, tempature gage on the opposite side. Car still over heats after extensive repairs. Cooling fans stays on while off. Potential fire because of oil compartment fire. Visible leak.
The contact noticed oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,569 of 32,257 model years in the NHTSA data (top 5% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Intrigue has 163 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 256, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- 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 years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 256. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (11%), stalls while driving (9%), steering or power steering problems (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
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 2026-11-06.