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Research · Midsize Cars

2002 Oldsmobile IntrigueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints for the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Most complaints involve electrical system (34) and steering (11). The EPA rates it 21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
66
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

66 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2001 – Jul 2025
  1. Electrical system34
  2. Steering11
  3. Engine and engine cooling10
  4. Exterior lighting8
  5. Engine5
  6. Power train3
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Air bags3
  9. Seats2

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
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
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

Electrical system

34 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact turned the key to the on position; however, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle started after several attempts; however, occasionally the vehicle took one or two days to start. The contact stated that several independent mobile mechanics had stopped by the residence to inspect the vehicle and it was confirmed that the body control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2025Electrical systemODI 11670534

Steering

11 reports
“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 BE ON THE RECALL LIST? THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AS SOMEONE COULD HIT ME WHEN IT STALLS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2015Steering, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10724649

Engine and engine cooling

10 reports1 crash
“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. AFTER SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A THIRD PARTY MECHANIC, SHE WAS INFORMED THE BRAKES WERE METAL ON METAL AND THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACE. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN, THE RIGHT REAR FOG LIGHT NEEDED A NEW SOCKET, AND THE LEFT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE BATTERY DIED AND A NEW BATTERY WAS PURCHASED. ALSO, THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A AN IGNITION CYLINDER, AND ALTERNATOR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2013Suspension, Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10515242
All 2002 Intrigue problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
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
182721$3,050423
  • Intrigue
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
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 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4397
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

2002 Intrigue questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue have?

3 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 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue problems?

Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (34), steering (11), engine and engine cooling (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue at 21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026