The 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue has 4 recalls, the most serious being two issues that can each lead to a crash or fire: a faulty ignition switch that can slip out of the run position under jarring conditions, and an exhaust manifold that can drip engine oil onto a hot surface and ignite.
A heavy key ring or an abrupt jolt from rough road conditions can cause the ignition switch to rotate away from the run position, cutting engine power and disabling power steering and power brakes simultaneously, which leaves the driver with sharply reduced control over the vehicle. The exhaust issue is separate: engine oil leaking near the manifold can drip onto the hot metal and start a fire in the engine compartment.
On the safety equipment side, the rear seat shoulder belts can develop a twist in the webbing that jams the belt inside its retractor, making it impossible to pull the belt out and leaving rear passengers unable to buckle in. In a crash, an unbelted occupant faces a significantly higher risk of injury. There is also a compliance issue with the owner's manual: the English-language manual for these vehicles is missing required information about how to aim the headlamps, which is a documentation gap rather than a mechanical defect in the lights themselves.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine oil may leak onto the hot exhaust manifold through the front valve cover gasket, creating a fire risk. Previous repair attempts did not fully eliminate this problem.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front valve cover and gasket to stop the oil leak and eliminate the fire risk.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The ignition switch can move out of the run position if the key ring has extra weight or the vehicle experiences rough driving. This cuts engine power, power steering, and power braking, and may prevent airbags from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install two key rings on each key and modify the key ring opening shape to prevent movement.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear shoulder belt webbing can twist, causing it to jam inside the retractor mechanism and making the seat belt unusable.
What the fix does
Dealers will straighten the rear shoulder belts and install new clips to the belt guide to prevent future twisting.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The English owner manual is missing required information about how to aim the vehicle's headlamps, which doesn't meet federal lighting standards.
What the fix does
Dealers will insert a document with correct headlamp aiming instructions into the owner's manual.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
