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 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 25 | 38% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 9% |
| Steering | 5 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 6% |
| Steering | 3 | 5% |
| Seats | 2 | 3% |
| Engine | 2 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 s
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
PARKED CAR AT WORK, SAT FOR 7 HOURS, WOULD NOT START AT END OF SHIFT. ACTED LIKE DEAD BATTERY BUT WITH NO CLICK. JUMP STARTED, WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THE FOLLOWING NOT WORKING: SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TRIP MILEAGE, FUEL G
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 EX
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT KICK INTO FIRST GEAR UNTIL AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY THREE BLOCKS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SECURITY SYST
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
OWNER NOTICED CAR WAS GOING THREW OIL. AT FIRST NO LEAK WAS FOUND AND OWNER THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING IT INTERNALLY. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS FOR ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WAS OCCURRING AT THE TIME AND NOTICED THAT
NHTSA complaint: Engine
2002 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *SMD THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START THE BRAKE AND SECURITY LIGHTS WERE ON. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2002 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.
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 57 | 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 66 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 25 of them (38%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 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.