Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the windshield wipers stopped working while driving approximately 55 MPH in the rain. The failure occurred three other times and, sometimes, the wipers would remain in the up position and would not move. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired twice for the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 01/11/2017
The windshield wipers on this vehicle have worked poorly for years and are getting worse with time. For a long time, they would just stop. We took the vehicle in for repair and the repair man simply tightened a bolt. From that point on, we did that on our own whenever the wipers stopped. Now for the past year or so, there have been times, just like the one last week, when my husband was on his way home from work and the wipers stopped and wouldn't come back on at all! He was stuck on the side of the expressway, in a horrible rainstorm, for 40 minutes. Very unsafe. We have spent a lot of time, money and countless worry on this problem and think it should be taken care of. We would like to give this car to our son who is leaving for college in a few months, but worry about this issue.
This has happened twice so far. The first time, my windshield wipers stopped in a vertical position instead of the normal horizontal position. I was told by the dealer ship, that the manufacturer stated this happens due to the stopping mechanism getting wet. My warranty wouldn't cover it because it was a weather related repair. I guess I am supposed to drive my car with a big tarp over it, so that nothing gets wet? I paid $300 to get a new wiper motor etc. About 10 months later, the same thing happens. I am not paying another $300 to fix it, if it is going to keep happening. I think that the manufacturers should look into this as being a recall. If something is getting wet inside the wiper motor, and $300 isn't going to fix it........
The windshield wipers started out working intermittently at first, now the wipers do not work at all. The consumer was informed by a mechanic that the wiper arm needed replacement. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
Wiper blades mechanism failed; first driver's side than passenger side during this winter; initially erratic behavior under load (wind load at high speeds) than mechanical failure under snow load.
I own a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue gl. To date, I have had three of the four window regulators break. There is a small plastic "keeper" imbedded into the otherwise metal regulator track, that secures both ends of the cable that transports the window up and down on its track. In all cases, this plastic keeper has broken, thus releasing one or both ends of the regulator cable, causing the window mechanism to fail, and allowing the window to fall down inside the door. I have temporarily secured the windows in the up position to keep the weather out. Only the driver's door regulator remains operable; passengers can not roll down their windows. …
I have a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue and have had 3 of the windows fall down into the door and stop working. This happened at three different times when I was doing nothing more than just driving along. I feel that this could have been a safety hazard had I been driving on the highway. I have contacted general motors Oldsmobile division and they apparently do not feel that this should be an item that is recalled. When I was in the local dealership, the service manager at that time casually mentioned that they have to repair alot of these on this model, as well as, the alero. I might could understand if it was just 1 window. I would probably think that it was just a faulty part, but for it to happen to 3 windows is absolutely ridiculous! The GM lady told me that the only thing they could do was to visit with me about purchasing another GM vehicle. …
Recall id 75918- engine and engine cooling GMC owner center, I own a 1998 Oldsmobile and has had several problems with the window regulators failing, signal lights, electrical, cooling system and coolant warning light since owning the vehicle in 2000. Engine and gaskets have blown, water temp has blown and after costly repairs, the low coolant light still goes off and on. Dealership always have to have light on to detect issues and still never detect anything. My coolant and levels are always checked and filled and the light still triggers on and off for awhile then return on again throughout car history. In 2008 my coolant light was acting up and I had vehicle checked out and fluids at appropriate level. Vehicle ended up overheating on interstate and I had to replace water pump and something else. Light went out for awhile and vehicle checked out. …
There has been about 10 attempts to have steering problem corrected pump & rack has been replaced and still have a problem rear brakes warped dealer refused to fix would do only front defective pitted rotors under warr.problems reported when first purch.car steering is a danger wanted to return car too many repairs and not fixed
I have had two drivers side windshield wiper failures with this vehicle. The dealer had "tighented" a bolt after the first failure. It didnt take long for the wiper to quit working again. The first failure was during a very heavy rain - the second was while using the wiper washer control - why cant they fix this problem.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
Windshield wiper
By letter dated December 12, 1999, GM notified NHTSA of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 Buick regal/century and Pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through May 1, 1997.GM determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually…
Window & Wiper complaints in other Intrigue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 6% of the model year's 510 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles.
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.