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 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Driving anywhere day or night at any given speed, radio goes in and out, turn signal work on and off at random moments, headlights will dim for no reason, interior dash lights dim for no reason. Also will occasionally cause car to stall for no reason. Have been pulled over by law enforcement several times and warned about not using turn signals when I did, but car has never worked properly. I inform them of the complaints I have repeatedly made to GM to resolve and have been repeatedly ignored by GM. I usually am let off with warning. There are thousands of complaints online about this very issue and yet nothing has been done to resolve it. It is a safety hazard and eventually will lead to an accident due to GM not taking responsibility for their defects. It also affects exterior lighting. Heated seats button goes in and out with these same problems and air bags do not work at all.
The electrical connection within my turn signals is erratic. One moment the turn signal works, the next moment it doesn't. This makes for a difficult commute. There is a current safety recall pertaining to vehicles made by GM during the time that my vehicle was built but my vehicle isn't covered under the recall, despite the fact that the vehicle is suffering from the same problems as the GM vehicles included in the safety recall. The recall states that there was faulty soddering at fault in the case of the electrical issues. I have attached the url for the recall: http://www-odi.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=ea02037&searchtype=quicksearch&summary=true thank you
In the past few years, my 2001 olds Intrigue has been having numerous issues. At first, I thought it May just be my car, but after much research, I'm finding that all of these things are also happening to many others. The first thing that I noticed was the random dimming of my headlights while driving. I have checked my lights, battery cables, and alternator. All are fine. The next issue is that my blinkers sometimes work and sometimes don't. This is very disconcerting and most dangerous when taking my child to and from school, when streets are busy and signals are necessary! Thirdly, about 3/4 of the time while stopped, my car idles very high! I assume this May be due to the fact that my traction control, service engine soon, and service vehicle soon lights are all on. All have been checked and I've been told that it's a wiring issue that is common in intrigues. …
Headlights flicker - under certain circumstances(more often in cold weather) the headlights on the car "flicker" as if I were flashing my high beams or turn my lights off and back on again. Doesn't really sound like a big issue....right. Well, that's what I thought after the dealer refused to continue to replace alternators in my car because this was a "known issue" with Oldsmobile. If you search on google or any other search engine you can find thousands and thousands of people with the same issue. Back to the safety issue... I didn't think it was a big deal when the deal told me they wouldn't try to fix it anymore, big deal - my headlights flicker. It wasn't a big deal until last week when driving along and a car was waiting to pull out on the 55 MPH road I was traveling on. …
For the last 2 years I have driven the car the turn signals will not work properly. Some times they will flash rapidly like I need to replace a bulb. However, more and more they just don't work at all. They will work most of the time when I first turn on the car in the morning, after that it is hit or miss. They use to work more often than not, and now they work less than they don't. I have taken it for service and found nothing wrong. I have cleaned/replaced the fuse (no.8) in the engine compartment and cleaned the terminal. I have replaced every bulb. I had a '99 olds delta 88 that did the same thing before I traded it. This is very dangerous, especially if turning in front of another car at a stop sign. I have to use hand signals and many younger drivers have no idea what they mean. This is a family owned vehicle. I purchased it from my mother after driving it for about a year. …
Takata recall while driving my lights were dimming while driving on the highway. My car cut off on me twice. The first time it cut off while I was driving and the second time it cut off while I was at a traffic light. Sometime the car won't start. After the third or forth attempt the car will start. My gas pedal is sticking now this just start happening. Sometimes I have a time trying to put the windows down. I have to jiggle with the switch a few times in order for the window on driver side to go down. I had two crank sensors and one cam sensor put on my vehicle. I am still having issues with the vehicle. I had the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic and I was told that it was an electrical issue this is a safety issue.
1. Loose dashboard causing passenger seat airbag to rattle and the cover to lift above the dashboard. This could lead to deployment at anytime of the airbag. 2. Turning signal fails to blink on exterior lights when engaged, usually about twice a day. This could lead to me getting a ticket or into an accident in which case the airbag would still be an issue. 3. Headlights and interior lights flicker and dim at night. 4. The transmission jumps at certain times, usually when the car is just started and instantly put into gear. There has been no action to fix the air bag, lights or transmission. The turning signal, however, I have checked the wiring for burns and other problems but have found none.
I purchased a 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue used in February 2004. After using the hazard lights in August 2004, there have been problems with both the turn signals and the hazard lights. The hazard lights will not work at all anymore without continuously holding the button in manually. The turn signals work intermittently. They will work fine for a while, and then completely stop. This occurs on almost a daily basis. The only way to correct it is to repeatedly press the hazard light switch over and over which confuses other drivers and takes attention away from the road. This is a major hazard when trying to turn from busy streets. We have been trying to find a new hazard switch for the vehicle.
Two car crashes - one at ~35mph colliding with a tree (in late 2006) nearly head-on and a second (January 21st, 2008) at ~65mph colliding with an interstate guard rail also nearly head-on - neither of which triggered a deployment of the air bags of the vehicle. The electrical system of the vehicle is questionable as the car experienced flashes of the headlights, temporary failure of the interior lights, and other electrical issues before the most recent accident.
I own a 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue and I am experiencing a familiar problem with my turn signals as described in NHTSA action number ea02037. I have investigated this problem via Oldsmobile owner forums on the internet and have seen other owners of the Intrigue having the same problem. I am interested to know why GM didn't issue a recall to repair/replace these electrical problems on these vehicles as well as the ones listed on the NHTSA action number?
NHTSA investigations
Headlamps dim/flicker
Headlight complaints in other Intrigue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the lights of the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 39% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue, though it has 3 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 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 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.