Oldsmobile Intrigue Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Oldsmobile Intrigue options? We analyzed 3 model years (2000–2002) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Oldsmobile Intrigue has 391 owner complaints and 14 safety recalls across model years 2000–2002. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2002 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Oldsmobile
- Model
- Intrigue
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2002 (3 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 391
- Safety recall campaigns
- 14
- Crash-related complaints
- 21
- Fire-related complaints
- 4
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (208 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2002 (66 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Oldsmobile Intrigue: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE has 391 NHTSA complaints and 14 recalls on record. 21 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 391 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 14 federal recall campaigns
- 21 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
14 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELTS
STEERING
STEERING
STEERING
STEERING
STEERING
STEERING
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2002. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 391 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
391 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. 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. The contact stated that several independent mobile mechanics had stopped by the residence to inspect the vehicle and it was confirmed that the body control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
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. PARKED AT HOME, SHUT ENGINE DOWN, RESTARTED, ALL AREAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. LEFT OVER NIGHT, NEXT MORNING SAME PROBLEMS WITH EXCEPTION DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. ALL LIGHTS DIM WHEN IGNITION IS ENGAGED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND THE ODOMETER FAILED TO DISPLAY THE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR TAIL LAMP FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CABLE DAHMER BUICK GMC OF INDEPENDENCE (3107 S NOLAND RD, INDEPENDENCE, MO) WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
I HAVE A 02 OLDS INTRIGUE AND IT HAS A FLICKERING IN INTENSITY ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS A DRIVING DISTRACTION NOT JUST FOR ME BUT ANYONE IN FRONT OF ME ...AS THEY MAY FEEL BRIGHTED OR IT MAY DISTRACT THEM AND THEY MAY VERE AWAY FROM ME. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE SLOW DOWN WHEN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT I WAS SIGNALING THEM WITH MY LIGHTS, ALSO GOD FORBID A COP EVER SEE MY CAR DOING THIS HERE IN MO THEY MAY THINK I'M WARNING OTHERS OF A COP IN THE AREA. I'VE READ UP ON THIS AND GM SAYS ITS NORMAL OPERATION BUT YET MANY OF US OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. THEY PUT OUT DIFFERENT ALTENATORS BUT THE ONLY ONE I'VE READ ABT SUCCESS WITH COST UPWARDS OF $400+ DOLLARS. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE ALTENATOR ISSUE THAT DROPS OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THATS WHAT CAUSES THE PULSING OF LIGHTS. IF I WANTED TO BE IN A DANCE HALL I WOULD GO, MY VISION IS ALREADY COMPROMISED AND THIS IS A SERIOUS DISTRACTION.
SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND MELTED MY COAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT KICK INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THREE BLOCKS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM LOCK. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES JERKED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY. THE ABS INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND DISAPPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SHOWED THE CONTACT HOW TO TEMPORARILY LOCK THE SECURITY SYSTEM FROM THE TRUNK UNTIL THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURES RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. 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 AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND RIGHT SHOULDER THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *TR
OWNER NOTICED CAR WAS GOING THREW OIL. AT FIRST NO LEAK WAS FOUND AND OWNER THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING IT INTERNALLY. 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. EARLIER OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE MODELS HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT WITH THE 2002 MODELS. THE RECALL NUMBER IS 09V116000. VEHICLE HAS HAD NO LOSS IN PERFORMANCE.
2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THE BRAKE AND SECURITY LIGHTS WERE ON. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ALTERNATOR EMITTED A LOUD NOISE AND NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
WITH NO REASON THE ENGINE WILL CUT OFF, LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER TO STEER OR MOVE. HAVE BEEN TO NUMEROUS REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE CAUSE. I THINK IT IS THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST IS APPROXIMATELY $ 500.00. WILL GENERAL MOTORS PAY FOR THIS? SHOULD THIS NOT BE ON THE RECALL LIST? THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AS SOMEONE COULD HIT ME WHEN IT STALLS.
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED DEALER WHO HAS REPLACED THE COIL PACK, ELECTRICAL GROUND AND SPARK PLUGS. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT DEALERS WHO COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE RESTARTED SHORTLY AFTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. 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. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PERFORMING NORMALLY. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWENTY TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, ALTHOUGH THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION SWITCH). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/23/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING, AND POWER BRAKES ALL FAIL AS WELL. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCURS SPORADICALLY, SOMETIMES 3 TIMES A DAY. UPDATED 2/23/2015 *JS
Showing 20 of 391 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Oldsmobile Intrigue
These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Oldsmobile Intrigue, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Oldsmobile Intrigue has 391 complaints on record across 3 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Oldsmobile Intrigue has 14 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 21 of the Oldsmobile Intrigue's 391 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Oldsmobile Intrigue vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Oldsmobile Intrigue vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Oldsmobile Intrigue has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Oldsmobile Intrigue by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Oldsmobile Intrigue.
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Oldsmobile Intrigue reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Oldsmobile Intrigue reliable?
Poor. The Oldsmobile Intrigue has 391 NHTSA owner complaints and 14 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Oldsmobile Intrigue years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (208 complaints), 2001 (117 complaints), 2002 (66 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Oldsmobile Intrigue problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (145 complaints); EXTERIOR LIGHTING (100 complaints); STEERING (52 complaints).
Does the Oldsmobile Intrigue have recalls?
Yes — 14 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Oldsmobile Intrigue. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.