AI Damage2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue filed 64 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 64
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 53% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 16% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 34 complaints (53% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 10 complaints (16% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 8 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Exterior lighting: 8 complaints (13% of all).
- Engine: 5 complaints (8% 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
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 64 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 | 34 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the guard rail. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed of the incident and no injuries were reported.
They also say that the obd 11 on board diagnostics would turn the check engine light on if something was wrong. I have used a digital home carbon monoxide tester in the passenger compartment and it has registered from 7 ppm to 27 ppm. I drive to work monday thru friday for one half hour, seventeen miles each way.
While driving at 30 mph consumer ran head on into a steel gate, and then hit three trees. Upon impact, none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer. Please provide further information.
The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact turned the key to the on position; however, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle started after several attempts; however, occasionally the vehicle took one or two days to start.
Parked car at work, sat for 7 hours, would not start at end of shift. Acted like dead battery but with no click. Jump started, while driving noticed the following not working: speedometer, odometer, trip mileage, fuel gage, dash lights, tachometer, other warning lights lit up.
Brought car in for a diagnosis for another issue that was occurring at the time and noticed that there was smoke coming from the rear manifold. Took a look and it turns out valve covers are leaking. Car was switched from conventional oil to synthetics which had made it more noticeable.
The turn signal lamp and socket had to replace 3 times on passengers side and once on drivers side. The socket over heats and melts so the turn signal does not work and the light on the dash board flashes fast .it is a on going problem .I replaced the socket pig tails at 45.00 each.
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 4,654 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Intrigue has 143 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 64, below 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 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, steering, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 64. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: won't start (16%), headlights and tail lights (14%), stalls while driving (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 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 2002 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 2002 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 2026-11-05.