CarModelProblems.com

1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering:rack And Pinion — runs 4.2× the fleet median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
510Complaints
8Recalls
19Crashes
39Fires
12Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering:rack And Pinion (13.3% of complaints) — is covered by 3 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Steering:rack And Pinion complaints here are 4.2× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.

5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering:rack And Pinion68 · 13.3%RecalledRecall 09E005000 · Recall 08E063000 · Recall 03V527000
Steering42 · 8.2%RecalledRecall 09E005000 · Recall 08E063000 · Recall 03V527000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip35 · 6.9%No official action
Engine29 · 5.7%RecalledRecall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000
Engine And Engine Cooling24 · 4.7%RecalledRecall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000
Electrical System23 · 4.5%RecalledRecall 14V400000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING42 · 8.2%
ENGINE29 · 5.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23 · 4.5%
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR23 · 4.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR22 · 4.3%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE19 · 3.7%
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR19 · 3.7%

Percentages are the share of the 510 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 8 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 2015 · reported 10/26/2015

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition

NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 2009 · reported 04/08/2009

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 09E005000 · 2009 · reported 02/17/2009

A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering

NHTSA campaign 08E063000 · 2008 · reported 10/17/2008

IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts

NHTSA campaign 00V044000 · 2000 · reported 02/16/2000

THIS COULD PREVENT A PERSON FROM USING THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM, AND A RISK OF INJURY TO AN UNBELTED PERSON IN A CRASH WOULD BE INCREASED. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:rack And Pinion

NHTSA campaign 03V527000 · 2003 · reported 12/11/2003

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 98V103000 · 1998 · reported 05/18/1998

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“STEERING RACK HAS A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN WHEN FIRST MOVING CAR & TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL PLUS IS HARD TO TURN. PARKING LAMP SOCKET FAILED…”NHTSA complaint 708842 — filed 07/20/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“THIS CAR HAS HAD THIRTEEN GARAGE VISITS UNDER WARRANTY SO FAR TO EITHER DIAGNOSE PROBLEMS OR CORRECT PROBLEMS. TOMORROW, IT WILL HAVE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING…”NHTSA complaint 708331 — filed 07/07/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION
“VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER SEVEN TIMES FOR NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, THE RACK AND PINION…”NHTSA complaint 839075 — filed 06/09/1999 · STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

272005812200772120091012201182420147302016112018122024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue?

Steering:rack and pinion issues are the most-reported category, cited in 68 of 510 NHTSA complaints (13.3%), followed by steering (42), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (35), engine (29). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue have?

510 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 39 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue have any recalls?

Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V701000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue's reported problems?

5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.