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 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as intended. The contact turned the key to the on position; however, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact stated that the vehicle started after several attempts; however, occasionally the vehicle took one or two days to start. The contact stated that several independent mobile mechanics had stopped by the residence to inspect the vehicle and it was confirmed that the body control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled in the middle of traffic and the steering wheel seized. As a result, a tractor trailer crashed into the passenger side door of the contact's vehicle. The vehicle spun around numerous times onto the other side of the road and crashed into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the head and right shoulder that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not included.
I have a 02 olds Intrigue and it has a flickering in intensity issue with the headlights. This is a driving distraction not just for me but anyone in front of me ...as they May feel brighted or it May distract them and they May vere away from me. I have had people slow down when directly in front of me because they thought I was signaling them with my lights, also god forbid a cop ever see my car doing this here in mo they May think I'm warning others of a cop in the area. I've read up on this and GM says its normal operation but yet many of us owners are having the same issues. They put out different altenators but the only one I've read abt success with cost upwards of $400+ dollars. This is a defective altenator issue that drops out for a few seconds and thats what causes the pulsing of lights. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle did not kick into first gear until after driving approximately three blocks. The contact also stated that the security system lock. Additionally, the brakes jerked and failed to stop the vehicle right away. The ABS indicator illuminated and disappeared. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The mechanic showed the contact how to temporarily lock the security system from the trunk until the ignition switch was replaced. The failures recurred several times. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the brake failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Parked car at work, sat for 7 hours, would not start at end of shift. Acted like dead battery but with no click. Jump started, while driving noticed the following not working: speedometer, odometer, trip mileage, fuel gage, dash lights, tachometer, other warning lights lit up. Parked at home, shut engine down, restarted, all areas functioning properly. Left over night, next morning same problems with exception dash lights came on. All lights dim when ignition is engaged.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. While driving at any speed, the alternator emitted a loud noise and no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician confirmed that the alternator was malfunctioning and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the security warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was unable to be diagnosed. The failure recurred and the vehicle was eventually repaired by a local mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that she experienced recurring failures with the electrical system. When the hazards lights are turned on the driver's side rear window opened. The headlights intermittently turned off while driving various speeds. When the cruise control was activated, the cruise control buttons became extremely hot. The front passenger side window also intermittently malfunctions. The oil change service light shuts on and off when the vehicle does not need an oil change. The contact stated that the engine warning light intermittently turns on and off. The failures had not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 76,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and the odometer failed to display the mileage of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the exterior tail lamp failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to cable dahmer Buick GMC of independence (3107 s noland rd, independence, mo) where it was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the failure recurred. The dealer did not diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist since the recall repair was already performed. The failure mileage was not provided.
Fail to start and it was at the dealer 3 times, we didn't get receipts, and they say 2 times. They could not find the problem and we went weeks and months without any problem. It started again this feb and "every" time we tried to drive it, we had to jump it. The dealer took it in this past month and said he couldn't find anything wrong, of course, it's out of warranty with only today we are paying to have a private repair man find and fix the problem, which we think is a starter. We do not have records of when the problem started, only the year, so therefore I'm putting in jan 1 for asterik.
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 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 53% of the model year's 64 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.