2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL from North America - Comments

Automatic transmission had a whine in 3rd gear when I test drove it before purchasing. The Pontiac Buick dealer repaired it under warranty. I drove it again before making the purchase.

Comfort was my main reason for selection of this car. A recent hip replacement meant that getting in and out of my MX5 was a chore. I also liked the DOHC 3.5 engine and the features that came with the GL. I chose not to buy a GL with spoiler, sunroof and leather for an additional $1000.00 as none of these items interested me. The electric adjustable drivers seat was a big factor.

Intrigue 2000 has excellent handling qualities and lots of pep. I would really like it, BUT I have had two uncorrectable problems that have been maddening.

First, the headlights flicker at night. Oldsmobile said it was a known problem, and after a couple of months replaced the alternator free of charge. Guess what? Headlights still flicker. It really annoys the driver in front of you--and they let you know it.

Second, on a hot day, you cannot drive between LA and Las Vegas with air conditioning on and keep up with the 70 to 75 mile traffic. The engine will overheat on the summit climbs on Highway 15. It will also overheat just driving around Las Vegas on a 105+ day. Twice in to Oldsmobile. They replaced the thermostat, but, both times, they said everything else was OK. Guess what? It still overheats on hot days. Driving with the air conditioning off is VERY uncomfortable on those cllimbs. Under most regular driving conditions the temperature stays under control.

I consider the problem to be bad engineering--marginal cooling system.

I have an 2000 Intrigue as well, and also have a headlight flicker problem. I took the car back about 4 times and after 2 new generators and new ground wires, the dealership told me "That's the way Oldsmobile designed it. Sorry, nothing we can do". I'm going to drink a beer and celebrate when Olds goes out of business. I'll also never buy another GM.

I can top that, I have had my Oldsmobile Intrigue in for 7 alternators because of the flickering lights. They gave me pretty much the same song and dance, it's normal, that's the way it is, there is nothing they can do about it. Because I have had so many problems with it, they even offered to sell me a used 1998 Aurora, taking my Intrigue in trade (giving me on $10,000, because it has so many problems) and with only $3000 down, I could have 5 more years of payments of only $417.00...needless to say, I've contacted a lawyer.

I had the same light flicker problem and a new alternator (600= labor+ Parts) correct it. But my car will use 2 quarts of oil for every 3000-5000 thousand miles. Can't see it burn it and it doesn't not leak it. Further there no white residue in the coolant recover tank. The passenger side rear seatbelt on my 2000 will not work and the dealer wants $200 (65 parts+120 labor).

There has been a recall on the seatbelt and will be replaced for no charge. I believe it was issued in june 2001.

Now my 1999 GL runs like a champ, but has had to have a new PCM (under extended warranty!) now it has an air conditioning problem. I set the climate control at 60 and it blows hot air (summer) reading the outside and cabin temperatures at like 34 degrees. My wife and the kids are not found of hot air when it is already 90+ outside. Any ideas anyone?

Dneill01@aol.com.

We bought a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue about a year ago. Since that time we've had problems with our blinkers not working after EACH time we've had the problem supposedly fixed. We've tried to explain that this problem just repeats itself only this time we're told there's nothing they could do, BULL!! Why can't this problem be fixed??

I plan to pursue the matter as well as have a discussion with the man who made the sale at the dealership. Either the problem gets fixed right or the car is GONE! It's been a nightmare having a problem fixed only to last about a week before going bad again. Thankfully we haven't been stopped and ticketed 'yet.' Obviously there is a problem and used or not it's going to be corrected one way or another.

Watch out on those Intrigue electrical problems no one seems to know how to fix. I for one have had it!

Watch out for flickering headlights on 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigues! GM says there is nothing more they can do and they are doing everything to hide the fact there is a major defect.

It is understandable why GM doesn't offer a 100,000 mile warranty. With that type of service, you make the decision for yourself if you should buy this car.

I too have a 2000 Intrigue that has had similar headlight problems. I was actually pulled over by the police one morning on my way to work. The Police thought I was trying to gain their attention by flicking my lights at them! So they pulled me over to see what the problem was. Try explaining this excuse to a cop at 4:30 in the morning!!!

I went all the way to the top with the headlight problem since the local dealerships were stumped and the area rep from Oldsmobile just didn't care. They said they are aware of the problem, but that its normal. Funny I've never seen any other "normal" cars doing this on the highway have you?

Mine also eats oil like crazy. I go through 1 1/2 to 2 quarts quarts between oil changes. That to me is way too much oil for a quote "normal" engine.

I also have a continuing problem with the A/C. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. If I keep turning it on and off five or ten times it'll all of the sudden start working again only to stop working when the headlights start their blinking act.

I'm pretty much done with American made cars since I've had nothing but bad luck or is it their poor design? Nope it couldn't be the design. Our engineers are infallible in America and shouldn't listen to their customers complaints. The customer is never right. I'm getting Japanese cars from now on. Their dealerships seem to back up their products much better than their American counterparts do.

All in all I like the car, but the design flaws and lack of quality lead to a dismal personal rating from me.

1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue Lights flickering problem resolution: Folks, I too had the light flicker issue with my car last spring, mostly when cold and the first thing in the morning or when first starting the car. The dealer finally put in a new alternator after saying nothing was wrong with it the first three times in. I thought it was fixed, but what was really happening is it got warm out and it didn't act up. Sure enough as soon as fall arrived the crisp mornings got the flickering going again. Out of shear coincidence, the battery started leaking acid (nice, huh?) all over the front of the engine so I replaced it. Guess what? No more flickering. So check your battery! Good luck.

I am preparing to buy an Intrigue. The headlight issue seems trivial. Power, bulb, and a switch can be remedied without much effort. My Saturn does this when the battery is about to die too (good warning indicator). The comment on using oil does concern me. How many of those reading/posting have an Intrigue, which uses oil?

Regarding the person's question about oil use, I can honestly say that I never used a drop and my car now has 28,000 miles. May I also mention that after I switched to Mobil 1, I had a notable increase in horsepower. Wow, what an improvement. I highly recommend synthetic oil in overhead cam engines like the 3.5. Make sure to use 10W30 as recommended or you will lose some oil. Maybe the folks who are using oil are using 5W30 in error?

1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Headlight flicker, cruise control, heater inoperable, rattle, need I go on. There has to be an answer. I have not taken it to the shop yet, trying to diagnose the problem on line. Best scenario, trade it off!!!

My mother has a 98 Intrigue - while it's never left her stranded (yet), she's had numerous problems with every power window, plus the windows stick to the weatherstripping (apparently common). Also has the lights flickering, though not very noticable. A/C compressor siezed up at about 50k miles, the interior looks 20 years old already (trim is peeling off the doors), the CD changer constantly jams, and the electronic climate control unit has been replaced twice and still doesn't work right (also replaced the ac/heater fan motor recently). Every now and then it'll get a wild hair up its ass and decide it won't start easy (about 20 seconds of cranking will get it going).

When it runs though - it DOES drive very nice, and has excellent power. Exceptional handling for a car of its size, but the brakes have always felt horrible - and gave out on me while parking once (parking barrier stopped me, but I had both feet on the pedal with all my weight and it wouldn't stop - dealer couldn't find a problem). The 3.8L engines run forever - the transmission is starting to act up at only 65k miles though.

We too own a 1999 Olds Intrigue & have been plagued by the flickering headlights problem for the last year. Today our dealer installed the 4th alternator in this cars 28000 mile history. Its always when its cold and it comes on quick and acts like it cannot make it to the dealer! All interior lights die including heater fan, etc! Service receipt indicates alternator spiking past 20 volts. Seriously thinking about trading off in very near future!

2000 Olds Intrigue.

1. Lights flickering, after 60,000 miles, still no solution. It usually happens on cold days.

2. Passenger side chrome painted trim sliding back, causing opening and closing of front passenger door to be very difficult. I heard you can pound it back with a rubber mallet and get a month worth of normal use.

3. After 50,000 miles, it starts to use a significantly larger amount of oil. It used to be 7,000 miles between oil changes, now it's back to 3000. Synthetic blends are a good idea.

4. Tire pressure monitor doesn't work.

5. Fuel pump is located in the gas tank. This makes replacement very costly. Do NOT run out of gas. There's a good chance it will destroy your fuel pump.