Headlight complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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. 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.
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
I noticed the headlights dimming on their own about a week after I first started driving the vehicle. It occurs intermittently, and very often. I have heard the headlights switching into different modes like this both a night and during the daytime hours. This poses a serious distraction to oncoming traffic on highways and other roads and could confuse other drivers at stop signs. GM should address this issue immediately; I have seen many other complaints on this very same issue. [note: I believe this issue May also be linked to a serious issue with the turn signal relay system. I have had intermittent blinker issues and failures on both passenger and driver side since 2010, and it does not appear that the replacement of the turn signal relay system solves the problem, it did not for me (filed separate complaint for turn signal issues experienced)]
My headlights flicker and dim which is dangerous during nigh time driving, so I am unable to drive when its dark out. Also my blinkers work off and on. I feel GM should cover a recall on these problems.
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. …
Related recalls (2)
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.
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
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Intrigue years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (49), 2001 (42), 1999 (31), 1998 (11) and 2002 (8) model years. Headlight complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Intrigue headlight problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 98V-103 (headlights, May 18, 1998); 98V-102 (headlights, May 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Intrigue headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 36% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the headlights (72 mentions), followed by the turn signal (17).
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.