Research · Midsize Cars

2001 Oldsmobile IntrigueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 115 owner complaints for the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (41) and electrical system (38). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
115
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

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

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Feb 17, 2009NHTSA 09E005000

Steering

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Oct 17, 2008NHTSA 08E063000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

115 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2001 – Aug 2020
  1. Exterior lighting41
  2. Electrical system38
  3. Power train16
  4. Engine and engine cooling15
  5. Steering12
  6. Engine5
  7. Air bags5
  8. Suspension5
  9. Interior lighting5

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
6
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

41 reports1 crash
“TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING MY LIGHTS WERE DIMMING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR CUT OFF ON ME TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE SECOND TIME IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SOMETIME THE CAR WON'T START. AFTER THE THIRD OR FORTH ATTEMPT THE CAR WILL START. MY GAS PEDAL IS STICKING NOW THIS JUST START HAPPENING. SOMETIMES I HAVE A TIME TRYING TO PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN. I HAVE TO JIGGLE WITH THE SWITCH A FEW TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE WINDOW ON DRIVER SIDE TO GO DOWN. I HAD TWO CRANK SENSORS AND ONE CAM SENSOR PUT ON MY VEHICLE. I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE THOROUGHLY CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10853134

Electrical system

38 reports1 crash
“TAKATA RECALL- WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION IT WILL SIMPLY STOP, NOTHING WILL WORK. IT MUST BE RESTARTED TO RESUME AND CONTINUE. IT MAY NOT DRIVE FOR LONG THOUGH. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS .AT TIMES THE POWER WILL SHUT OFF MOMENTARILY BUT THE CAR WILL CONTINUE DRIVING. THE LIGHTS WILL DIM WHILE DRIVING, ALSO. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE THIRD CRANK OF THE KEY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON BUSY STREETS WITH MY NEW 17 YEAR OLD DRIVER AT THE WHEEL. I WILL BE CALLING A DEALER SOON. THEY HAVE TO FEEL SOME RESPONSIBILITY. I PRAY NO ONE GETS HURT DUE TO THIS ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2015Electrical systemODI 10808024

Power train

16 reports
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4T65-E HAD TO BE REBUILT WITH ONLY 70K MILES IN 14 YEARS OF VERY MODERATE DRIVING, WHICH AVERAGES OUT 5000 MILES PER YEAR. COST OF REBUILD WAS $1500.00.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 19, 2016Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 10860429
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
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 30, 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, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200444
  • Intrigue
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 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 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4191
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

2001 Intrigue questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue have?

5 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.

What are the most common 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue problems?

Owners filed 115 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (41), electrical system (38), power train (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026