1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 510 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (28% of complaints); the 1999 and 2000 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 510 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The engine had a fire and the ignition switch is very hard Do turn, it would be available for inspection. The fire happen while driving down the highway. I have an appointment set with dealership. No prior inspections have been made and no indications of anything.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2023
“July 17th 2019 engine dies while driving at high speed without warning. Replaced crank shaft sensor. Died in motion again july 24th, replaced alternator. This same problem originally happened in sept of 2011, again in march of 2015, and march of 2017. Different repair shops have replaced many different parts attempting to fix this over the years. It is extremely dangerous when the car loses all power while traveling 65 miles an hour in heavy traffic.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
“My son was driving the car and it started making a noise and I pulled over and checked and didn't see anything and continued driving. I noticed smoke coming from under the hood and pulled into a gas station and noticed the car was on fire and ran into the gas station and asked for a fire extinguisher. The attendant had one and went and put the fire. I have contacted gm and was told this was due to a recall which caused oil to leak onto the manifold and thus far they have been unable or unwilling to help with this issue. *js - (recall related incident) ts”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vehicle can no longer turn to the left or right. I don't think recall 03052 was ever done on it. Can no longer drive this car because it's unsafe for me as well as the public.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact stated that the rear driver side lower control arm bracket failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear driver side lower control arm bracket needed to be replaced but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2016
“I have called multiple gm dealerships in order to get my ignition recall, oil leak from valve cover recall, and rear seatbelt recalls taken care of and so far none have returned my phone calls regarding the issues. I have had the appointments set for at least 6 months at 2 different dealerships and have yet to hear back on any parts arriving. They told me over the phone at both dealers that it would take a week and a half for parts to arrive and that they would return my call when parts did arrive, but I have yet to hear anything.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact stated that the windshield wipers stopped working while driving approximately 55 mph in the rain. The failure occurred three other times and, sometimes, the wipers would remain in the up position and would not move. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired twice for the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 01/11/2017*ct *tr”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Sep 2016
“Called to set appointment for recall 15757 and dealer called back and left message they were ordering the part. Over a month they were called back three times-left message. Finally got a call back this morning and they said it was not in their system and they would call back. Just trying to get a fire hazard fixed before it happens!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2016
“Gm has not delivered parts to brodhead buick & chevrolet, brodhead, wi for recall(camp'n # 15v701000) after 3 weeks from initial inspection.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 19 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
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.
Remedy: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OWNER MANUALS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIREMENT INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE VEHICLE HEADLAMP AIMING DEVICE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED AN OWNER MANUAL'S INSERT WHICH CONTAINS THE APPROPRIATE INFORMATION.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELTS THAT COULD TWIST, ALLOWING THE WEBBING TO BE JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR. WHEN THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING BECOMES JAMMED IN THE RETRACTOR, THE SEAT BELT BECOMES UNUSABLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE ANY TWISTS FROM THE REAR SHOULDER BELT(S) AND INSTALL CLIPS TO THE BELT WEB GUIDE TO PREVENT TWISTING.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE'S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE'S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
How other years compare
Check your exact Intrigue by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue reliable?
NHTSA has 510 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The most complained-about area is steering (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 87,762 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.