NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 518 owner complaints for the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Most complaints involve steering (158) and service brakes, hydraulic (72). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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.”
“I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM ON MY CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW. WHEN I START MY CAR THE ABS GOES TO SET ITSELF AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT. AS I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS ON THE CAR, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT HIS PROBLEM. IT IS A VERY COSTLY FIX DEALING WITH THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND SENSORS. MY 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE IS A VERY SOLID CAR, BUT I BELIEVE THEY HAVE A FAULTY ABS SYSTEM ON THEM DUE TO THE HUB ASSEMBLIES. THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR SUCH A REPAIR THAT I HAVE SEEN IS $500- $1100. MANY DRIVERS OF THESE CARS ARE NOT GETTING THEM FIXED AS IT IS COSTLY. THUS THIS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF INTRIGUES AROUND WITH THE ABS TURNED OF INCREASING THE CHANCES OF BRAKE FAILURE. *JB”
“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 BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/08/16*LJ”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intrigue Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
8 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 518 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (158), service brakes, hydraulic (72), engine and engine cooling (68). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).