Oldsmobile Intrigue Steering Problems
Owners have filed 268 complaints with NHTSA about steering problems on the Oldsmobile Intrigue across 5 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (160). The words owners use most often: “rack pinion” (30% of reports).
- 268steering complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 12mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $2,100typical repair cost reported by owners
- 12%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Rack pinion: mentioned in 81 of 268 complaints (30%)
- Steering shaft: mentioned in 25 of 268 complaints (9%)
- Clunking noise: mentioned in 14 of 268 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical steering repair on the Oldsmobile Intrigue at $2,100, and half of them between $1,100 and $2,250.
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2001–2007), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do steering problems happen?
Based on 125 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 268 complaints, 12 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury.
Oldsmobile Intrigue steering complaints by model year
| Model year | Steering complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Intrigue | 10 | 16% | 40,000 |
| 2001 Intrigue | 12 | 11% | 78,000 |
| 2000 Intrigue | 28 | 14% | 54,800 |
| 1999 Intrigue | 58 | 23% | 81,750 |
| 1998 Intrigue | 160 | 31% | 76,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Steering:rack and pinion
Model years: 1998
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this occurs, the pinion shaft can be forced upward during left turns and back down as the steering wheel is moved back and to the right. If the pinion shaft moves further, the driver will need to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel, similar to a vehicle without power assisted steering. If the pinion shaft moves even further, the driver will require much higher effort to turn left and may not be able to turn the wheel as much as intended. With the maximum pinion shaft movement, which requires internal gear component damage, the driver can encounter high resistance to turning left, followed by unintended power assist to the right. In any of these conditions, a crash could occur.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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.
Takata recall when i drove my 2000 olds intrigue home my electrical system shorted out. Power steering went out ,car will not start or anything..the vehicle was in motion,but now is stationary.
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…
ON 1/15/2013, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO FIRESTONE, 302 W. MICHIGAN AVE, JACKSON MI. 49201. [redacted]) THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, AND IT WAS REPLACED. THEY HAD TO REPROGRAM THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM, AS WELL AS…
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 oldsmobile intrigue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph and making a right turn, the brake pedal was depressed and the steering wheel became difficult to turn without warning. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Oldsmobile Intrigues have steering problems?
No. NHTSA has 268 owner complaints about steering 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 steering?
Yes: 1 safety recall list steering. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix steering problems on the Oldsmobile Intrigue?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,100 (half paid between $1,100 and $2,250), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about steering problems on the Oldsmobile Intrigue?
The most frequent phrase is “rack pinion”, in 81 of 268 complaints, followed by “steering shaft” (25).
Other Oldsmobile Intrigue problems
See all Oldsmobile Intrigue problems.