Window & Wiper complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Anti lock brake light came on. Service engine soon light came on. Oil low light came on. Traction control light came on and switch inoperative. Heater/defroster fan switch inoperative. Interior/exterior air switch inoperable. Air bag light came on. It was raining. The next morning when car was started all lights were off and car seemed OK. Mechanic used scanner and found no error codes. On line search indicated that is could be do to ignition switch. Thus, I think the recalls for this switch should be expanded.
2001 olds Intrigue with 40,000 miles just suffered it's 5th power window regulator failure. Current failure is driver's front, which was previously replaced July 19, 2006. All four windows have had failures and they are rarely used.
Windshield wipers do not park... Have repaired every year since I purchased the vehicle in 2001. Repair involved straightening a rod at the wiper assy. Just the wiper barely frozen to the windshield will cause the problem as well as wiping windshield in snow storms. The wipers park in the up position, causing a problem with having a clear view from the windshield. This site lists many incidents of this same problem. A new wiper assy is the only fix and at over $300 for the part not including labor, that is unacceptable. Especially if the new unit has the same design flaw. This is a clear danger....
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the sunroof detached damaging the sun roof frame and vehicle. The sunroof was closed at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the laminated material had deteriorated causing the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. In addition, the contact stated the turning signal lights failed to illuminate intermittently and in order for the lights to resume normal function the hazards light had to be illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 290,000.
We have had six windows fail on our 1999 olds Intrigue. GM replaced three under warranty, but refuses to repair or pay for repairs to the windows that have failed since the car accumulated over the 36,000 mile warranty. We paid for one repair ourselves but refuse to pay for the two remaining non-functioning windows. We purchased the car new in dec of 1999. The only response that we've gotten from GM is that we should take it to a GM dealership and have it "diagnosed" at our expense. It should be noted that two of the currently failed windows are ones that they've already replaced under warranty. The incident date given is for the first failure, they've been failing regularly ever since. We believe this to be not only a functional problem but a safety concern as when the windows fail they stay in either the up or down position, we've now experienced multiples of each. …
Power steering assist (rack/pinion-long shaft) unit second failure. The right rear weather strip was deformed, engine stalled shortly after starting, pulsating noise coming from the front end, tire noise, right rear window inoperative, clunking noise in the front end when turning, the battery light had come on for 20 minutes but the problem but was actually coolant light, the engine would crank but no start, the vehicle would run rough and dies, failed ignition switch, failed crankshaft sensor, remote was not working, lost power steering on a left turn and still had power on right turns, there was an oil leak, there was excessive wear of the intermediate steering shaft, and excessive play in the left front hub and bearing assembly.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. The contact stated that the windshield wipers stopped working while driving approximately 55 MPH in the rain. The failure occurred three other times and, sometimes, the wipers would remain in the up position and would not move. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired twice for the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired again. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 01/11/2017
The windshield wipers on this vehicle have worked poorly for years and are getting worse with time. For a long time, they would just stop. We took the vehicle in for repair and the repair man simply tightened a bolt. From that point on, we did that on our own whenever the wipers stopped. Now for the past year or so, there have been times, just like the one last week, when my husband was on his way home from work and the wipers stopped and wouldn't come back on at all! He was stuck on the side of the expressway, in a horrible rainstorm, for 40 minutes. Very unsafe. We have spent a lot of time, money and countless worry on this problem and think it should be taken care of. We would like to give this car to our son who is leaving for college in a few months, but worry about this issue.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper
Incidents of wiper failure (owner reports and warranty) are very high, and many of the reports indicate that the failures are still occurring in 1999.
Windshield wiper
By letter dated December 12, 1999, GM notified NHTSA of its plans to conduct a safety related defect campaign to remedy 155,149 of the subject vehicles.the vehicle population for the campaign includes the 1997 Buick regal/century and Pontiac gran prix models built during the period from the start of production through May 1, 1997.GM determined that the wipers installed prior to this date could stop working, usually…
Frequently asked questions
Which Oldsmobile Intrigue years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (32), 1999 (18) and 2000 (10) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Oldsmobile Intrigue window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for any Oldsmobile Intrigue model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Oldsmobile Intrigue window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles; 45% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power window devices and controls (24 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (21).
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.