Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The engine had a fire and the ignition switch is very hard Do turn, it would be available for inspection. The fire happen while driving down the highway. I have an appointment set with dealership. No prior inspections have been made and no indications of anything.
I received a letter in May stating that GM was recalling my car for possible engine fires (recall 09047). I called the number provided and was routed to one of the local dealers, who told me that they couldn't do anything with it until late July or August and to call back for an appointment then. Yesterday, 7/20/09, my car burned to a crisp. According to the firemen, it was an electrical fire that started under the hood somewhere and it burned so hot and so fast that they were unable to salvage it. The fire engines are kept literally a block away from where the fire occurred. They responded within minutes and still the entire engine contents fried right up. My car is a total loss. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, there was a burning odor and the temperature gauge displayed that the vehicle was overheating. The contact opened the hood and discovered that the vehicle caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police/fire report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. ..updated 12/03/14 the vehicle was destroyed. Updated 12/11/14
1. Rack & pinion failure, 2. Serpentine belt tensioner failure (@approx 45000 mi) 3. L rr seatbelt installed twisted at factory- shoulder strap wouldn't lock for child safetyseat, dealer fixed. 4. Warped front rotors, 5. I have experienced the dash going haywire or completely out accompanied by the sensation of a slipping trans and sluggish/clunking steering (twice, once about 8 months ago and about a week before the r&p failure) 6. Two tires have had belt separation.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. While driving at an unknown speed, the security light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) however, the remedy failed prevent to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 94,725.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the horn failed. The failure recurred several times intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the vehicle's horn kit and fuses had to be replaced. At 20,429 miles, while sitting at a traffic light, the horn began to blow automatically three times. At 22,201 miles, the failure recurred. The contact started the ignition and drove approximately two miles before the horn stopped blowing. At 22,334 miles, the contact pressed the button on the keyless entry remote to lock the door and the horn failed to blow. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. At 23,000 miles, the horn experienced the same failure. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure. The engine size was unavailable. The current mileage is 23,000 and failure mileage was 20,429. The consumer stated new battery installed on 01/27/07 by aaa with a 1 year warranty. …
1998 olds Intrigue. Sometimes when I'm driving the whole dashboard lights up and the car shuts down. Why?? Also, sometimes the car won't even start, the security light comes on, and May not start for ten minutes, or 24 hours...I have a new transmission, I have had the car scanned, but no codes come up. I have changed the battery, the alternator has been checked, and recently had the key switch changed. The very next day it happened again!!! I was driving and out of nowhere, all of my dash lights come on, and the car just shuts down. The passlock security light comes on and stays on, disabling the car's ability to start. GM has said there's nothing they can do about it, but I've seen hundreds of complaints over the internet of owners with the same problem. Just the fact that it May come on while I'm driving is a serious hazard in itself.
My car would make noise and rattle also steering became difficult , had to replace rack and pinion. The 2 nd thing is that my car would shut off any where any time and I had to replace the ignition switch. Now I find out there were recalls on both these things which I never knew that there was a recall, except for the rear seat belts. Now , I, my family or numerous people on the road could have gotten killed when my car shut off. I find out that GM knew about these things and never told me? That makes me very angry and I don't appreciate all the money that fixing these things cost me.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
Electrical complaints in other Intrigue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
NHTSA has 50 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 10% of the model year's 510 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.