2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue

The 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue was a mid-size sedan known for its comfortable ride and decent performance. It came with two engine options: a 3.5L LX5 Shortstar V6 producing 215 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.8L L36 V6 generating 200 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Some owners appreciated its smooth ride and spacious interior, while others disliked its reliability issues and somewhat bland styling. Both engines were paired with the 4T65E 4-speed automatic transmission.

Engine

3.5L LX5 Shortstar V6

• Intake Manifold Gasket Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leak, overheating, rough idle, and white smoke from the exhaust.
  • Solution: Replace the intake manifold gasket with an updated design.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil spots under the car, burning oil smell, low oil level. Common leak points include the valve cover gaskets and oil pan gasket.
  • Solution: Replace the leaking gaskets.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+ per gasket
  • Recalls: None Found

3.8L L36 V6

• Coolant Leaks (Lower Intake Manifold)
  • Description/Symptoms: External coolant leaks, sometimes difficult to locate, leading to low coolant levels and potential overheating.
  • Solution: Replacement of the lower intake manifold gasket, often with an updated design to prevent recurrence.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $700+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Stalling, especially when hot, hesitation, and a “Check Engine” light.
  • Solution: Replacement of the crankshaft position sensor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

4T65E 4-Speed Automatic

• Hard Shifting/Slipping
  • Description/Symptoms: Delayed engagement, harsh shifts, slipping between gears, especially between 2nd and 3rd gear. Can be worse when hot.
  • Solution: Often requires a transmission rebuild or replacement. Sometimes, a fluid change and filter replacement can offer temporary improvement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2000 - $4000+ for rebuild/replacement; $150 - $300+ for fluid and filter change.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Torque Converter Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibrations at certain speeds, stalling, poor fuel economy.
  • Solution: Replacement of the torque converter.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Strut Mount Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking noises, especially when going over bumps.
  • Solution: Replacement of the strut mounts.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+ per pair
  • Recalls: None Found
• Worn Control Arm Bushings
  • Description/Symptoms: Loose handling, clunking noises, uneven tire wear.
  • Solution: Replacement of the control arm bushings or entire control arm assembly.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+ per control arm
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Instrument Panel Cluster Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Gauges not working properly (speedometer, fuel gauge, temperature gauge), dim or non-functional displays.
  • Solution: Repair or replacement of the instrument panel cluster.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Power Window Regulator Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Window not going up or down, or moving very slowly.
  • Solution: Replacement of the power window regulator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $350+ per window
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Door Handle Breakage
  • Description/Symptoms: Exterior door handles breaking, especially in cold weather.
  • Solution: Replacement of the door handle.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $200+ per handle
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Headliner Sagging
  • Description/Symptoms: Headliner fabric detaching from the roof and sagging down.
  • Solution: Replacement or re-gluing of the headliner.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Cracked Dash
  • Description/Symptoms: The dash cracks, especially during the summer season due to heat and exposure to the sun.
  • Solution: Replacement of the dashboard panel or installation of a dash cover.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, while praised for its comfort, is prone to several common issues. Engine problems include intake manifold and gasket leaks, while the transmission can suffer from hard shifting and torque converter failure. Suspension issues like worn strut mounts and control arm bushings can affect ride quality. Electrical problems such as instrument panel and power window malfunctions are also reported. Interior issues include headliner sagging. The severity of these issues ranges from minor inconveniences to major repairs, with costs potentially ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, particularly for transmission or engine work.