RoadVitals

1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
58
Latest Jun 18, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
23%
of 256 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 58 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 58, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jun 18, 2014

THE IGNITION SWITCH -- WHICH WAS REPLACED IN 2012 WITH A NEW GM DEALER PART -- TURNS BY ITSELF TO THE ACC SETTING WHILE DRIVING (ENGINE CUTS OUT AND POWER STEERING LOSES POWER). I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS RELATED TO THE GM IGNITION SWITCH RECALL PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THIS MODEL IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST, I AM ENCOUNTERING A CHALLENGE TO GET IT REPAIRED. PLEASE PHONE ONLY -- NOT AN E-MAIL USER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10604263
Incident
May 12, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 14, 2014

WHEN DRIVING MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH I HIT A VERY LARGE POT HOLE IN THE STREET. IT JARRED THE VEHICLE AND SWITCHED THE IGNITION IN MY VEHICLE OFF. I LOST POWER IN THE VEHICLE AND MY ABILITY TO PROPERLY STEER THE VEHICLE. I WAS THANKFULLY IN A LANE WHERE I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT ISSUE (POWER STEERING WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE WHEEL WAS ALMOST LOCKED AND IT REQUIRED A LOT OF PULLING TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER) AND RESTART THE CAR. I DID HAVE A LARGE/HEAVY KEY RING ON MY KEYS AT THAT TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10569375
Incident
Oct 7, 2013
Mileage
98,001 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2010

I HAVE A 1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING LOSS AT LOW SPEEDS THAT GM IS HAVING WITH THEIR COBALT AND PONTIAC MODELS. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THE INTRIGUE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR CLOSE TO 2 YEARS. THE LOSS OF STEERING OCCURS MORE IN HOT WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10317666
Incident
Jun 2, 2008
Mileage
99,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Apr 20, 2009
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION THAT SHOOK HER VEHICLE. SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE WAS PRESENT UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. A RELATIVE, WHO IS ALSO A MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE FLUID ON THE MANIFOLD CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN SMOKING AND THE STEERING KNUCKLE FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD ALSO HAVE CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK AND SMOKE TO APPEAR. A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH PITCHED SOUND IN THE STEERING WHEEL. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, SHE NOTICED AN OIL LEAK AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE PISTONS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 137,000.

NHTSA ID
10266061
Incident
Apr 19, 2009
Mileage
137,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Nov 14, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON START UP, THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND STALLED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, THE CHECK OIL LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, PRIOR TO THE ENGINE POWER FAILING. THE BRAKES SQUEAKED BADLY AS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. ON THE FIRST VISIT, THE THERMOSTAT AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING WERE REPLACED. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WAS SERVICED AND THE OIL AND FILTER WERE REPLACED. THE STALLING CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE SALES/SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE RIGHT PORTIONING VALVE WAS REPLACED AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE BLED. THE OIL AND FILTER WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THE POWER FAILED AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THE SALES MANAGER INFORMED THE CONTACT, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, REAR STRUTS AND STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 12/3/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10173451
Incident
Nov 8, 2006
Mileage
104,855 mi
SteeringTransmission
Filed Feb 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 10 MPH AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL POWER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V527000, REGARDING THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY A DEALER AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AS INSTRUCTED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 2/9/2006 - AS OF 2/24/2006 THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. ON 2/10/06 THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID AND REPLACED MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10150918
Incident
Feb 10, 2006
Mileage
53,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 3, 2005

STEERING BECAME VERY LOOSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS (60 - 70 MPH). DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
10124099
Incident
May 27, 2005
Mileage
86,500 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering+3 more
Filed Nov 22, 2004

POWER STEERING ASSIST (RACK/PINION-LONG SHAFT) UNIT SECOND FAILURE. *BF THE RIGHT REAR WEATHER STRIP WAS DEFORMED, ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING, PULSATING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, TIRE NOISE, RIGHT REAR WINDOW INOPERATIVE, CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING, THE BATTERY LIGHT HAD COME ON FOR 20 MINUTES BUT THE PROBLEM BUT WAS ACTUALLY COOLANT LIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD CRANK BUT NO START, THE VEHICLE WOULD RUN ROUGH AND DIES, FAILED IGNITION SWITCH, FAILED CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, REMOTE WAS NOT WORKING, LOST POWER STEERING ON A LEFT TURN AND STILL HAD POWER ON RIGHT TURNS, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, THERE WAS EXCESSIVE WEAR OF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, AND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE LEFT FRONT HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY. *SC

NHTSA ID
10101807
Incident
Nov 1, 2004
Mileage
3,589 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 5, 2004

WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE IT MADE A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND WHEN THE WEATHER TURNED COLD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099512
Incident
Nov 5, 2003
Mileage
55,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 28, 2004

AT APPROXIMATELY 66000 MILES MY 1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIQUE EXPERIENCED STEERING PROBLEMS. IT WOU EXPERIENCE VERY HARD STEERING TO THE LEFT. IT PROGRESSED TO THE POINT THAT THE STEERING RACK HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $691. THEY LUBED TO INTERMITTENT STEERING SHAFT AS WELL. THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS THAT WAS SUPPOST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY OLDMOBILE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10093242
Incident
Aug 31, 2004
Mileage
66,648 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Aug 24, 2004

UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR BRAKE REPAIRS MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE INNER TIE ROD CORRODED. CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE ISSUE HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED AS OF YET. *AK

NHTSA ID
10089602
Incident
Aug 4, 2004
Steering
Filed Jul 13, 2004

HAVING DIFFICULTY TURNING LEFT AT LOW SPEEDS, ALMOST FEELS LIKE STEEREING WILL LOCK UP. TAKING TO MECHANIC TO FIND OUT WHAT TROUBLE IS. SOUNDS LIKE SAME TROUBLE FROM RECALLED 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUES. *LA

NHTSA ID
10080951
Incident
Jul 10, 2004
Steering
Filed Apr 5, 2004

I OWN A 1999 OLDS INTRIGUE AND THAT HAS HAD STEERING SHAFT PROBLEMS. ALMOST EVERY 25K MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT AT A COST OF OVER $400. THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS WERE COVERED BY WARRANTY BUT THE LAST ONE I HAD TO PAY FOR. ADDITIONALLY IT APPEARS THAT I AM GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE THE SHAFT REPLACED AGAIN, WHICH WOULD BE THE 4TH SHAFT IN 120K MILES. OLDSMOBILE HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST. BASED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) FOR 1998 INTRIGUES, I BELIEVE THAT MY ISSUE MAY BE SIMILAR TO THE CAMPAIGN STATED. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY/DRIVING HAZARD AND HOPE NHSTA CAN EXTEND THE 1998 STEERING PROBLEM TO 1999. THANK YOU FOR YOU ASSISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10064577
Incident
Apr 5, 2004
Mileage
119,000 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 5, 2004

WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION STEERING WHEEL DRAGS OR IS NOT RETURNING TO MAKE THE VEHICLE GO STRAIGHT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061495
Mileage
92,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 24, 2004

WHILE TURNING THE STEERING LOCKED UP WITHOUT WARNING. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10056007
Incident
Dec 23, 2003
Mileage
28,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 19, 2004

POWER STEERING HARD TO TURN LEFT, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. STEERING GETS TIGHT AND RELEASES. DEALERSHIP SAID THE RAC-N-PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 1.5 MILLION GM CARS RECALLED FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN 11/2002 AND AROUND 800,000 RECALLED IN THE U.S. IN 1/2004. HOWEVER, MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN LISTED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10058502
Incident
Feb 18, 2004
Mileage
83,500 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 9, 2004

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10057737
Incident
Feb 6, 2004
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

STEERING BROKE. CAR WAS TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. WENT INTO A STEEP DITCH WITH A MOM AND TWO CHILDREN IN IT. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE FACING OUT LIKE STEERING COLUMN BROKE.

NHTSA ID
10069476
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

THE ENGINE WILL DIE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED, WHICH IS A SAFTY HAZARD. WHEN ENGINE DIES... IT IS VERY HARD TOO STEER AND LOOSES BRAKING POWER. THE ENGINE THEN MAY NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MIN. TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPPS TO GET GOING AGAIN. IF A PERSON HAD TO GET TO A HOSPITAL ON TIME IT COULD MAKE THE DIFFERANCE BETWEEN LIFE OR DEATH. WE FEEL THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY GM...FREE...AND SOON!!! THANKS JOHN & DAWN

NHTSA ID
10069126
Incident
Apr 15, 2003
EngineSteering
Filed Jan 15, 2004

WHEN THE CONSUMER MADE A LEFT TURN, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF. AT THE SAME TIME VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10054189
Incident
Jan 15, 2004
Body & structureElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Jan 14, 2004

1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE GLS.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER EXITED THE FREEWAY, HE HEARD A MECHANICAL NOISE WHICH RESULTED IN POWER STEERING LOST FOR LEFT TURNING ONLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS ENGINE STALLING SHORTLY AFTER STARTING, THE WEATHER STRIP WAS DEFORMED, A PULSATING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END, HOWEVER A ROAD TEST ONLY FOUND TIRE NOISE, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE FUEL FILTER, BATTERY AND REMOTE WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED AN OIL LEAK. *JB

NHTSA ID
10054140
Steering
Filed Jan 13, 2004

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER, AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. DEALER INDICATED RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10053903
Incident
Jan 13, 2004
Mileage
70,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jan 12, 2004

1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE - THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE THE FIRST DAY I PURCHASED IT. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING HAD TO BE REPLACED, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH LOOSE STEERING, ALONG THE CAR LOSING POWER STEERING AND STALLING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 50-60 MILES AN HOUR, THE CAR WILL CUT OFF ON YOU. I MAKE A HABIT TO DRIVE IN THE RIGHT LANE, SO THAT I CAN PULL OVER AND STALL OUT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TRY AND STAY OFF THE INTERSTATE BECAUSE IF A TRUCK OR BAD DRIVER IS BEHIND ME THAT COULD REALLY CAUSE PROBLEMS (ACCIDENT/DEATH). I HAVE HAD MAJOR MECHANICAL REPAIRS DONE TO THIS CAR, NOTHING HELPS. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO AT THIS MOMENT GET ANOTHER CAR BUT AS SOON AS I AM ABLE I AM GOING TO GET RID OF IT. GENERAL MOTORS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOW TO SELL THIS TYPE OF DANGEROUS PRODUCT TO THE PUBLIC. THESE INCIDENTS ARE STILL GOING ON PROBLEM. THE LATEST BEING YESTERDAY, I SUDDENLY LOST MY POWER STEERING WHILE DRIVING. *LA

NHTSA ID
10052903
Incident
Jan 11, 2004
Mileage
74,460 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 8, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported1 death reported

VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 35-65 MPH RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITIES. WHICH IS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ACCIDENT ON 7/5/03 THAT RESULTED IN DEATH AND INJURY. *LA

NHTSA ID
10041447
Incident
Jul 5, 2003
Mileage
91,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2003

CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP.*AK

NHTSA ID
10040528

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data on this page last refreshed .