2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Nov 13, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 100,000 miles · SD

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. The first thing that I noticed was the random dimming of my headlights while driving. I have checked my lights, battery cables, and alternator. All are fine. The next issue is that my blinkers sometimes work and sometimes don't. This is very disconcerting and most dangerous when taking my child to and from school, when streets are busy and signals are necessary! Thirdly, about 3/4 of the time while stopped, my car idles very high! I assume this may be due to the fact that my traction control, service engine soon, and service vehicle soon lights are all on. All have been checked and I've been told that it's a wiring issue that is common in intrigues. Last but not least, it has become a rather consistant problem that my car doesn't want to start. Sometimes it starts up just fine, but ususally I have to try 2-4 times. I turn off all electronic components under my control, in my car prior starting, but it doesn't make a difference. As my research has shown this may be due to a faulty igniton switch. Many other gm makes and models have had recalls and complaints on all of these issues, yet nothing has been done for this particular model. Safety should be the number one concern here, but obviously it is not. Why do some cars get recalls and others not, when they have the same problems with the same parts used? It doesn't quite add up. Please gm, take care of your cars and drivers, and make sure that everyone in your hands is safe on the road!! That is afterall, your responsibility!!!!

Filed May 20, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 74,000 miles · MO

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 cause car to stall for no reason. Have been pulled over by law enforcement several times and warned about not using turn signals when I did, but car has never worked properly. I inform them of the complaints I have repeatedly made to gm to resolve and have been repeatedly ignored by gm. I usually am let off with warning. There are thousands of complaints online about this very issue and yet nothing has been done to resolve it. It is a safety hazard and eventually will lead to an accident due to gm not taking responsibility for their defects. It also affects exterior lighting. Heated seats button goes in and out with these same problems and air bags do not work at all.

Filed Apr 15, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

Fraudulent vehicle inspection & emissions done on a regarding 2001 oldsmobile intrigue, purchase date, march 17, 2014. I have been back and forth between their approved shops and my usual mechanic taking an excessive time from work to try to get the repairs done. The car was found to have an issue with the fuel distribution, the front turn signals aren't firing which will require a replacement headlight assembly, and I was also told that the gas gauge sensor may need to be replaced. The oil light & check engine lights are also on. All these things I was assured would be repaired by [xxx], the salesperson. He stated the inspection facility, pa station id#[xxx], has been sending the vehicles to them partially inspected and they are aware of the issue. This vehicle "inspection" was on 3/4/14,and I believe this shop, and others like it, are knowingly defrauding consumers of this establishment. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Sep 16, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · NC

We have and oldsmobile intrigue 2001 was purchased in 2002. It was only used as dealer car. Since buying it we have had problems with dimming headlights intermittent, turn signals work when they want, brakes that grind and pulsate, vibration from right front side. We have had rotors replaced, tie rods, brake pads, still nothing works the dealer tells me there are no recalls on these items. We also had a problem with the secondary air pump we replaced it not a few weeks later it went out again. We have had no success with this cars problems.

Filed Jan 29, 2008 · Airbags, Lights · IA · crash · 1 injury

Two car crashes - one at ~35mph colliding with a tree (in late 2006) nearly head-on and a second (january 21st, 2008) at ~65mph colliding with an interstate guard rail also nearly head-on - neither of which triggered a deployment of the air bags of the vehicle. The electrical system of the vehicle is questionable as the car experienced flashes of the headlights, temporary failure of the interior lights, and other electrical issues before the most recent accident.

Filed Jul 16, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · 45,000 miles · IL

Clunking noise in steering column; headlights dim on a whim; blinkers work when they feel like it; hazard lights fail intermittently; driver's electric window locks up in the closed position intermittently and last be not least transmission whines and clucks when shifting gears--intermittently of course. On going for last 3 years.

Filed May 2, 2007 · Lights, Steering · AZ

Clunking in steering wheel, fixed more than once. Was told it was a known problem but would only replace on the third complaint, at which time car was out of warranty. Also headlights will dim and strengthen at night.

Filed Jan 21, 2007 · Electrical, Steering · OH

1) headlights flicker on and off and create a road hazard especially when driving in snow and rain. Oncoming traffic often flash bright lights at you because they feel you are flashing at them. 2) steering has clunking in it and has been to the dealership several times for repair. The dealership often tells me they can't find anything wrong or can't duplicate the problem though everyone who drives my car or rides in it can feel the shaking in the front end and see the steering wheel vibrating. It still has this problem and now that the warranty is off I am expected to pay for the parts and labor to fix an ongoing problem. I don't feel I should have to pay for this repair. It has become a matter of safety to me. 3) transmission often hesitates when stepping on the gas peddle. I had the car checked and cleaned and still the problem exists. When taken to the dealership all I get is "we can't duplicate the problem" so therefore it must not exist. I know when it is going to start having problems as it gets a high pitched whine like when the steering pump is going out. 4) I am having problems getting car to start or stay running. It acts like it is not getting gas. Previous experience has taught me that since the problem is intermittent, it is not likely to be duplicated at the dealership. This has started occurring with the transmission problem.

Filed Oct 3, 2006 · Body, Electrical · 70,000 miles · MI

1. Loose dashboard causing passenger seat airbag to rattle and the cover to lift above the dashboard. This could lead to deployment at anytime of the airbag. 2. Turning signal fails to blink on exterior lights when engaged, usually about twice a day. This could lead to me getting a ticket or into an accident in which case the airbag would still be an issue. 3. Headlights and interior lights flicker and dim at night. 4. The transmission jumps at certain times, usually when the car is just started and instantly put into gear. There has been no action to fix the air bag, lights or transmission. The turning signal, however, I have checked the wiring for burns and other problems but have found none.

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Lights · 66,000 miles · NY

Headlights flicker - under certain circumstances(more often in cold weather) the headlights on the car "flicker" as if I were flashing my high beams or turn my lights off and back on again. Doesn't really sound like a big issue....right. Well, that's what I thought after the dealer refused to continue to replace alternators in my car because this was a "known issue" with oldsmobile. If you search on google or any other search engine you can find thousands and thousands of people with the same issue. Back to the safety issue... I didn't think it was a big deal when the deal told me they wouldn't try to fix it anymore, big deal - my headlights flicker. It wasn't a big deal until last week when driving along and a car was waiting to pull out on the 55 MPH road I was traveling on. Just then, my headlights decided it was time to flicker and the car thought I was signaling for them to pull out in front o f me. I barely had time to slow down and had to pull somewhat off the road to avoid hitting them. With my one year old daughter in the car, I decided I am going to see what I can do about getting this issue fixed.

Filed Aug 25, 2005 · Electrical · HI

Headlight problems on intrigues are due to wiring that has become dried up and is cracking off thereby creating shorts inside the headlight/turn signal assembly. Repair will require new headlight assembly wiring harness.

Filed Apr 13, 2005 · Lights · IL

I have almost had my car a whole 2 weeks . I have noticed the lights, dash and head lights, flickering. I called dealership I purchased the car from, and all I got was a guy that told me it was in the intrigues nature to do that . The flickering is happening when the air pump is cycling on and off he said, again, its just in the intrigues nature. In its nature or not its not safe ! I have a 4 year old and I can't avoid driving at night just because a car has a defect ! And to top it off no one wants to do anything about it !!