1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 3.5 from North America

Faults:

Car started hard, idled rough or stalled at low speed. Crankshaft sensor was replaced by dealer at 64,000 miles, but car still idles rough.

Passenger power window is sticking sometimes. Passenger door trim keeps coming off. Dealer replaced clips on trim but it still comes off. I am ready to Krazy glue it on permanently.

Radio amplifier went out at 55,000 miles.

Car uses 1 Qt. of oil every 1,000 miles. I thought it was just a problem with our car, but after reading reviews, I am not going crazy.

When under sharp turning conditions there is a clunking noise coming from the front end, I'm waiting for the wheel or something else to come off.

General Comments:

Overall I love this cars great looks, handling and acceleration. Great Bose sound system.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2005

4th Jun 2006, 20:15

My intrigue uses oil too!

The place I take it for oil changes said that this type of engine uses the oil.

4th Jun 2006, 20:44

The clunking is most likely the CV-joints. Normal wear and tear...

1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL 3.5L V6 from North America

Faults:

Oil consumption has become an issue (2+/- quarts between oil changes) along with engine knocking/tapping on cold mornings. I`m switching to the (recommended) 5W-30 from 10W-30 for the winter, although I`m not sure lighter weight oil is going to help oil consumption! Anyone have experience with synthetic oils? At this point I`m just hoping that adding extra oil is the worst that happens and the tapping is only noise from the lifters.

Once the transmission locks up in high gear, it`s reluctant to downshift. I thought GM used to be known for smooth running, seamless transmissions. This isn`t one of them.

The upper door trim on both front doors has started to stick, as others have noted. Is there a fix for this that doesn`t involve an auto body shop?

The trunk has started to leak. A deluge of water cascades in from under the trunk lid upon opening. I think the holes through which the rear deck "wing" is bolted need sealing.

The front end does "clunk" occasionally, as others have mentioned.

The traction control kicks in too easily, leaving you without forward momentum in situations where the feature probably isn`t needed to begin with.

General Comments:

This is a good looking car that handles well and has good acceleration. The interior is reasonably done and comfortable. Problems like oil consumption, sticking doors, clunking sounds and leaks make me wonder about long term reliability, however.

I owe about $2000 more on my loan than the car is worth. However, I knew when I bought the car in 2002 that Olds was going out of business, so depreciation should come as no surprise to me. I`ll probably pay off the loan as soon as I can and see if I can unload this car. My other vehicle (a 2000 Nissan) has about 20,000 more miles on it, uses no oil, doesn`t make clunking sounds, doesn`t have any leaks, squeaks or rattles and has had nothing done to it outside of normal maintenance items.

Next time I`ll buy Japanese.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd December, 2004

24th Dec 2004, 09:31

Oil Consumption. That has been a real issue for me. I have a 1998 Intrigue GL. At 72K the engine was replaced due to oil consumption.

Now getting the engine replaced was a large feet. I had to deal with GM for about two months and the dealer before an adjuster come out to look at the paper work. You would think that by taking care of the car it would take car of you. I fault GM for faulty workmanship.

Once the engine was taken apart it was found that the cylinders were out of spec. A new engine was then put into the car.

With the new engine came a 50K warranty. At 50,964 the oil light came on and discovered that I was 1 3/4 quarts low. I am fighting the oil consumption issue again.

Now this Intrigue has an internal oil filter. I have been told that this is why there is an oil consumption issue. I don't know if that is fact or not. Does anyone know?

I also have two foreign cars, Toyota and Mitsubishi, and they run like champs. I will continue to buy foreign again as well.

If anyone knows who I can talk with on this issue please let me know.

I will check back often to see if there are any responses.

7th Jun 2006, 10:46

Why would you buy foreign??? I have owned a 1995 Honda accord and 1998 Toyota Camry, both were the biggest money pits I have ever owned. Oil consumption and brakes were both a huge issue with both cars. Both had under 100,000 miles, and both were piles of junk. I for one will never buy Japanese again. I have owned 4 GM vehicles in my life and all 4 ran over 250,000 miles before I sold them, and none of them ever failed me once.