The 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue has 3 safety recalls and 64 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (37 complaints).
Problem: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Steering
NHTSA recall 09E005000 · Feb 17, 2009 · 979 vehicles
Problem: 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 STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
Steering
NHTSA recall 08E063000 · Oct 17, 2008 · 3,855 vehicles
Problem: DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue 4-DR.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Intrigue
21mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator; Ignition › Switch
37
1
0
1
76,000 mi
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump; Rack and pinion
11
0
0
0
40,000 mi
Exterior lighting Headlights
8
0
0
0
105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Exhaust system; Engine
8
1
0
0
20,184 mi
Engine
5
1
0
0
98,000 mi
Air bags Frontal
3
3
0
1
—
Power train Automatic transmission
3
0
0
0
61,905 mi
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
40,000 mi
Seat belts Front › Webbing; Front › Anchorage
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension
2
0
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
2
0
1
0
—
Unknown or other
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
May 19, 2025 · 55,000 milesElectrical system 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…
Aug 28, 2018 · 110,000 milesElectrical system 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.
May 18, 2018Electrical system 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.
Sep 27, 2017 · 21,200 milesElectrical system 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…
Feb 3, 2017 · 115,000 milesSeats SEAT HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND MELTED MY COAT.
May 29, 2016 · 136,000 milesPower train 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…
Aug 9, 2016 · 80,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryAir bags 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…
Nov 1, 2015 · 98,000 milesEngine 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.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
