The Lemon IndexAll carsOldsmobileIntrigue2002
20011st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 15,015 in the U.S. in 2002 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 19 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
19 owner complaints, first 3 years 21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2002 Hyundai Tiburon2002 Honda Insight2002 Chrysler Concorde 96
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V400000 (electrical), 09E005000 (steering) and 08E063000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Oldsmobile sent dealers 350 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Concerns with clunk noise from front of vehicle turning maneuver / steering wheel rotation.*jb…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Oldsmobile's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 19 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 43K miles (16K to 70K km) on the car (11 of all 19 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Headlights are very dim and look yellowish. Also, dealer replaced alternator, and all switches on dash get very hot. Consumer is afraid a fire may start. Please provide any further information.
2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue owner · NHTSA complaint 8000702
More owner reports
Consumer stated passenger's lock key malfunctioned. As result, the vehicle will not start.
NHTSA complaint 10103769
The consumer states the cam shaft is not producing enough oil pressure. The dealer states it can result in complete engine failure. Please provide additional information.
NHTSA complaint 10105409
Problems Oldsmobile told dealers about
Oldsmobile sent dealers 350 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Concerns with clunk noise from front of vehicle turning maneuver / steering wheel rotation.*jb…
- Clunk type noise especially felt in the steering wheel while turning
- Some customers may complain that the service engine soon (ses) indicator is illuminated with…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
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.
- Steering · recall issued 2009
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 VARIO…
- Steering · recall issued 2008
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" B…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Oldsmobile Intrigue year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/oldsmobile-intrigue/?y=2002" title="Oldsmobile Intrigue reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/oldsmobile-intrigue/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue reliable?
We can't score it: only 15,015 were sold in the U.S. in 2002 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (42%), engine (26%) and steering (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 5% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Oldsmobile Intrigue year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit more than the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works