Research · Midsize Cars

1999 Oldsmobile IntrigueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 260 owner complaints for the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Most complaints involve electrical system (61) and steering (57). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Oct 2015
Owner complaints
260
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 26, 2015NHTSA 15V701000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 8, 2009NHTSA 09V116000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

260 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 1999 – Dec 2017
  1. Electrical system61
  2. Steering57
  3. Engine and engine cooling51
  4. Exterior lighting29
  5. Visibility21
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  7. Engine16
  8. Power train16
  9. Suspension14

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Intrigue model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998518
1999260
2000204
2001115
200266
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
14
Injuries reported
15
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

61 reports3 crashes1 fire
“CAR WILL NOT START, NOT TURN OVER OR ANYTHING. SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON WHILE DRIVING. NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL START. HAVE BEEN TOWED TO MECHANIC 3 TIMES IN 72 HRS. HE HAS CHECKED ALL CONNECTIONS AND ALL ARE GOOD. HE CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. WILL START A FEW TIMES THEN NOTHING. MECHANIC HAS PUT ON HIS CODE READER AND NOTHING COMES UP. CAR WILL JUST TURN OFF WHENEVER. HAVE READ MANY FORUMS AND TONS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2016Electrical system, EngineODI 10919700

Steering

57 reports2 crashes1 fire
“THE IGNITION SWITCH -- WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 2012 WITH A NEW GM DEALER PART -- TURNS BY ITSELF TO THE ACC SETTING WHILE DRIVING (ENGINE CUTS OUT AND POWER STEERING LOSES POWER). I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THIS MODEL IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, I AM ENCOUNTERING A CHALLENGE TO GET IT REPAIRED. PLEASE PHONE ONLY -- NOT AN E-MAIL USER. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2014Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 10604263

Engine and engine cooling

51 reports1 crash10 fires
“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. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/03/16*LJ UPDATED 05/05/16. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 7, 2016Engine and engine coolingODI 10840301
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
3.8L 6-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Intrigue
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172721$3,050423
Intrigue
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172519$3,400468
  • Intrigue
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L
    17 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Intrigue
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 3993
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 Intrigue questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue have?

8 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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.

What are the most common 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue problems?

Owners filed 260 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (61), steering (57), engine and engine cooling (51). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026