Oldsmobile Intrigue Engine and Engine Cooling Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 1, 2025 · 166 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Oldsmobile Intrigue across 5 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (70). The words owners use most often: “caught fire” (10% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Caught fire: mentioned in 16 of 166 complaints (10%)

At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?

Based on 84 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles4 · 5%
10k–25k miles5 · 6%
25k–50k miles7 · 8%
50k–75k miles20 · 24%
75k–100k miles11 · 13%
100k–150k miles26 · 31%
150k+ miles11 · 13%

How serious are the reports?

Of 166 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 36 a fire, 2 an injury.

Oldsmobile Intrigue engine and engine cooling complaints by model year

Peak: 1998, with 70 complaints
1998: 701998701999: 511999512000: 242000242001: 132001132002: 820028

n = 166 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine and Engine Cooling complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2002 Intrigue813%20,184
2001 Intrigue1312%62,000
2000 Intrigue2412%53,000
1999 Intrigue5120%92,000
1998 Intrigue7014%110,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2004, with 25 complaints
1998: 5199851999: 442000: 152000152001: 13132002: 132002132003: 17172004: 252004252005: 882006: 8200682007: 442008: 5200852009: 23232010: 7201072011: 772012: 5201252013: 112014: 1201412016: 55

n = 166 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; engine and engine cooling:engineOct 26, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles

Model years: 1998, 1999

Problem: 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.

Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Fix: 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.

Engine and engine coolingApr 8, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Model years: 1998, 1999

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’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.

Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittingsOct 5, 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V241000 · 2,732 vehicles

Model years: 1999

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 engine. Some of these vehicles were built without a heater hose clip which could allow the hose to sag and contact the oxygen sensor resulting in a coolant leak.

Risk: If a coolant leak were to occur, and leaking coolant contacted the hot exhaust manifold, an engine compartment fire could result.

Fix: Dealers will install a heater hose clip.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact stated that the engine caught fire independently. The contact extinguished the fire. There were no injuries and a fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to…

Received Sep 16, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10907123

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…

Received May 26, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10871009

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v701000(engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repair…

Received Mar 7, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10840301

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact noticed that oil was leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear valve cover and the rear gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin…

Received Mar 3, 2016 · NHTSA complaint 10839648

2002 oldsmobile intrigue. Consumer writes in regards to several vehicle mechanical issues and unsatisfactory customer services at dealership. *smd the consumer stated she was told, that a mechanical check had been performed on the vehicle, after she inquired as to why the brakes were squeaking…

Received Jun 5, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10515242
Oldsmobile Intrigue
Oldsmobile Intrigue photographed in College Park, Maryland , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Oldsmobile Intrigues have engine and engine cooling problems?

No. NHTSA has 166 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Oldsmobile Intrigue. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Oldsmobile Intrigue engine and engine cooling?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Oldsmobile Intrigue?

The most frequent phrase is “caught fire”, in 16 of 166 complaints.

Other Oldsmobile Intrigue problems

See all Oldsmobile Intrigue problems.