Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 549 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 137 | 25% |
| Service brakes | 58 | 11% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 57 | 10% |
| Seat belts | 48 | 9% |
| Electrical system | 34 | 6% |
| Visibility | 26 | 5% |
| Engine | 24 | 4% |
| Suspension | 18 | 3% |
| Power train | 13 | 2% |
| Tires | 12 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The engine had a fire and the ignition switch is very hard Do turn, it would be available for inspection. The fire happen while driving down the highway. I have an appointment set with dealership. No prior inspections ha
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
JULY 17TH 2019 ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED WITHOUT WARNING. REPLACED CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. DIED IN MOTION AGAIN JULY 24TH, REPLACED ALTERNATOR. THIS SAME PROBLEM ORIGINALLY HAPPENED IN SEPT OF 2011, AGAIN
NHTSA complaint: Engine
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND IT STARTED MAKING A NOISE AND I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND CONTINUED DRIVING. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND NOTICED T
NHTSA complaint: Engine
VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER TURN TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. I DON'T THINK RECALL 03052 WAS EVER DONE ON IT. CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE FOR ME AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVER
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I HAVE CALLED MULTIPLE GM DEALERSHIPS IN ORDER TO GET MY IGNITION RECALL, OIL LEAK FROM VALVE COVER RECALL, AND REAR SEATBELT RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF AND SO FAR NONE HAVE RETURNED MY PHONE CALLS REGARDING THE ISSUES. I HAV
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118,
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. V
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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen
Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROP
Risk: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 75 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 549 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 137 of them (25%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.