Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue is suffering from the same pre-existing issues as other Oldsmobile Intrigue's. Such as the engine and engine cooling, the exterior lighting and electrical system. I have looked on www.safercar.gov and called 18004249393 and my Oldsmobile consultant 1800442653. As the only thing said is that my vehicle was not effected. I do think my vehicle was affected and here are the reasons. Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise that progressed, which sounded like a knocking associated with the engine assembly rods. While driving an 20 MPH rate of speed, the vehicle failed to move. A local mechanic diagnosed that a rod fractured and water and oil leaked into the engine, which caused a major issue. …
So much for investing in American-made vehicles. I, like over a dozen others who took the time to file a complaint, am experiencing the flicker and dim of all lighting during the evening hours - especially when the weather's colder. It is unnerving to me, and I'm sure to those drivers around me, to drive with questionable exterior lighting. And, as others have said, GM does not view this as a "safety issue". What say they have their spouse, or their child, drive a vehicle with this same "not a safety issue" and see if their view doesn't change? I work, and with daylight savings time, this means I am travelling home in the dark -- with my one-year-old and nine-year-old in the car with me. None of this matters to the folks at GM. Because they can point to the age and mileage of the vehicle to get them off the hook, they are. …
Turn signal/hazard flashers.on occasion will not work period, or turn on with no blinking. Wiggling the hazard switch can bring back the flashing/flickering. Replaced part once for the same reason, was good for three months,but it came back again. The irony, the car has an no start/security light problem, but when I installed the new hazard flasher, I did not have the no start problem until the hazard switch failed again. Now it makes one wonder if the hazard switch plays a roll in the security/passkey no start scenario. Secondly, I see the recall for the impala/malibu/ monte carlogrand am/ grand prix/alero. The security light and passlock issue, if tripped will cut fuel supply, I still hear the fuel pump priming, as passkey is not a starter kill, it is rather a fuel kill. I also replaced the starter/and ignition switch, and still this problem exists. …
Ref: 010603001, 010603001a, NHTSA action number: pe02005, NHTSA item number: 619178. 1999 Oldsmobile intrique, with dimming headlights. This is a constantly occuring problem. I have had it back to the dealer multiple times with no resolution. They say GM has no solution. This is a major safety issue. Many times I have been driving at night on the interstate and small country highways when the lights would flicker and almost go completely out. Nothing like driving 70 MPH in bad weather with no lights!!! The headlights dim equal to candlelight. These episodes happen intermittently, mostly during cold weather, but not always. Each episode May last anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. Several times I was fortunatly able to back off and pull to the side of the road. This happens at least 6 times per month, but only noticable at night. My VIN is 1g3w$52hoxf311164.
1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue: when driving in cold weather (below 40 degrees f), all lights dim and then brighten randomly, including headlights and dash lights. Sometimes headlights momentarily dim so much as to make driving temporarily unsafe. Problem has occurred every winter for several years. GM dealer claims to know nothing about it, but some web sites say a replacement Bosch alternator (approx. $450 plus installation) can cure the problem. This is a repeated annoyance that could cause a fatal crash.
Engine and everything electrical stops instantly. Everything shuts off. During restart the vehicle cranks longer (5-6 seconds) before starting and misses for 3-4 seconds. Then runs strong as if nothing happened. Some times turn signals will stop working after a restart and other times the turn signals will stop working whether the vehicle stalled or not. At higher speeds (45mph +) the vehicle will frequently shut off but instantly come back on.
Dad: the consumer stated that the headlights had come on and had gone off intermittently and the cruise control was not working. The dealer could not identify the cause of the problem. This problem had been happening for two months. The consumer had no consultation with the manufacturer. (11/22/05) the problem was found to be a failing ignition switch.
While driving at 40 MPH all electrical components went out. Dashboard lights went blank, and speedometer began winding forward and backwards. Windows began to roll up and down, while the headlights began to blink off and on. Dealer checked the problem but couldn't find the cause.
The fan for the heat and air conditioning keeps failing to work, the front turn signal either burns out in 4 days or won't work at all even with professionally installed all new bulbs.the engine keeps running even when I remove the key from the ignition.
Turn signals are intermittent. Sometimes they do not flash when the turn signal switch is activated. This applies to both left and right. This occurs randomly on different days, not just the single date I was forced to enter.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting › Headlights
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The owner manuals do not contain the requirement information pertaining to the vehicle headlamp aiming device. This does not comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Remedy: Owners will be mailed an owner manual's insert which contains the appropriate information.
NHTSA investigations
Headlamps dim/flicker
Headlight complaints in other Intrigue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the lights of the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 12% of the model year's 256 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (22 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-102 (headlights, May 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to lights 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.