Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
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
Security light had been coming on and off for a few days. I stopped at a card lock petroleum station for gas I went to start car and nothing,engine didn't even turn over. A local farmer gave me a jump, still nothing. I used his cellphone to call a mechanic friend of mine,he told me it to wait 15 minutes and try again. He said if it still didn't start that I would have to reset it and so I wrote down the instructions said thank you to the gentleman for the use of his phone. I waited still nothing. I performed the procedure turning the ignition on for ten minutes off for 5 seconds and repeat and so on. I live in north dakota this was in January and it was below zero. I put on a pair of insulated overalls and a full length ww ii navy pea coat. I was getting scared, it was now dark and I hadn't seen anyone since the farmer. …
My car stalls while I'm moving! I bought the car from a used lot in aug 2014, shortly after I received a recall notice. I took the car in to a dealer and the dealer put shells over the keys & supposedly didwhatever else was required in the recall. Shortly after that, I was having a hard time starting the car, I took it back to the lot where I bought it this time. Their mechanic checked it out & determined the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced. So they replaced it. Recently my car is having a hard time starting but more importantly, my car will stall while I'm driving! This is scary to be going 25-45 MPH and not be able to control my car! This morning I slowed down to turn a corner & it just shut off on me and I could not turn the wheel! Caused my to come about 2 feet from hitting a median & almost be rear ended! …
Car will not start, not turn over or anything. Security light will come on while driving. Never know when the car will start. Have been towed to mechanic 3 times in 72 hrs. He has checked all connections and all are good. He can find nothing wrong. Will start a few times then nothing. Mechanic has put on his code reader and nothing comes up. Car will just turn off whenever. Have read many forums and tons of people are having this same problem
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. …
Related recalls (1)
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Intrigue years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (71), 1999 (61), 1998 (50), 2001 (37) and 2002 (34) model years. Electrical complaints make up 36% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Intrigue electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Intrigue electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the alternator/generator/regulator (21 mentions), followed by the ignition (16).
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.