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 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior lighting | 26 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 21 | 18% |
| Power train | 9 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 6% |
| Steering | 5 | 4% |
| Engine | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
CAR WOULD NOT GO FROM DRIVE TO PARK THEN I SHURTOFF THE CAR AND CAME BACK NOW IT WILL NOT COME OUTTA PARK POSITION.!!!!!.... CAR WAS STARTED BOTH TIMES
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STRUCK A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT W
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4T65-E HAD TO BE REBUILT WITH ONLY 70K MILES IN 14 YEARS OF VERY MODERATE DRIVING, WHICH AVERAGES OUT 5000 MILES PER YEAR. COST OF REBUILD WAS $1500.00.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TAKATA RECALL WHILE DRIVING MY LIGHTS WERE DIMMING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR CUT OFF ON ME TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE SECOND TIME IT CUT OFF WHILE I WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TAKATA RECALL- WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION IT WILL SIMPLY STOP, NOTHING WILL WORK. IT MUST BE RESTARTED TO RESUME AND CONTINUE. IT MAY NOT DRIVE FOR LONG THOUGH. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, MY 2001 OLDS INTRIGUE HAS BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS ISSUES. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT IT MAY JUST BE MY CAR, BUT AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I'M FINDING THAT ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE ALSO HAPPENING TO MANY OTHERS. TH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 CA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2001 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.
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.
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
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH SUNVISOR LOCATED AIR BAG LABELS, FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLES SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A MESSAGE AREA LESS THAN 30 CM WHICH DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.
Fix: GM WILL MAIL A NEW BILINGUAL AIR BAG LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, THE CUSTOMER MAY BRING THE LABEL TO THEIR DEALER FOR INSTALLATION FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 4,
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and exterior lighting is the most reported area with 26 of them (22%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 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 67/100. 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.