Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel System, Other
MY 97 CHEVY MONTE CARLO HAS HAD NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS FOR SOME TIME . I HAD MY CAR CHECKED BY AN AUTO ELECTRICIAN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SO SEVERE AND IT WOULD PROBABLY NEVER FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE BEING IT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO MY SELF/FAMILY OR OTHERS. AS I DRIVE O…
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MY 97 CHEVY MONTE CARLO HAS HAD NO LOWER BRAKE LIGHTS FOR SOME TIME . I HAD MY CAR CHECKED BY AN AUTO ELECTRICIAN AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SO SEVERE AND IT WOULD PROBABLY NEVER FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS ISSUE BEING IT MAY CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO MY SELF/FAMILY OR OTHERS. AS I DRIVE ON THE ROAD I NOTICE MANY AUTOS OF THE SAME YEAR AND TYPE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO I KNOW ITS NOT ONLY MY VEHICLE .I THOUGHT IT COULD OF BEEN THE FACTORY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM SO I HAD IT UNINSTALLED TO COME TO THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT THE SECURITY SYSTEM AFTER ALL. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS ISSUE . THIS IS MY ONLY SOURCE OF TRANSPORTATION AS I AM DISABLED AND CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE . I HAVE PUT CONSTANT REPAIRS ON THIS CAR , FUEL INJ TANK, ETC. AGAIN PLEASE ADDRESS THIS URGENT ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221331
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2004
Suspension
CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER CONCERNING FRONT SUSPENSION:WHEEL BEARINGS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED WHEEL BEARINGS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10059271
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 2003
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING REAR AXLE SNAPPED, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046641
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2002
SuspensionWheels
WHILE TRAVELING IN A RURAL HOUSING AREA 30 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED TO DETERMINE CAUSE. THE OWNER STATES THAT THE ENTIRE BALL JOINT BROKE FROM THE VEHICLE AND BOLT AND COTTER PIN WORE OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DEAILS TS
NHTSA ODI #8023203
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2001
Suspension
BALL JOINT FAILURE, BROKE FROM LACK OF LUBRICATION, ON LEFT SIDE WHILE MOVING AT LOW SPEED OF 3-5 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF IT OCCUR ON HIGHWAY. *YH
NHTSA ODI #886318
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2000
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT BROKE, CAUSING SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE, AND A LOSS OF CONTROL. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
COMPONENT #1 - ABS - MECHANIC TOLD ME TO CONTACT YOU...SCAN ABS SHOWS CODES 1221, 1225, 1232 LEFT WHEEL SENSOR INTERMITTANT PROBLEM - POSSIBLE SENSOR OR COMPUTER. GIVING CONTRADICTORY READING. RESET COMPUTER DID NOT HELP. COMPONENT #2 - SUSPENSION OR STRUT ASSEMBLY. MAKES SCRUNCHING NOISE WHEN TURNING. COMPONENT #3 - FUEL…
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COMPONENT #1 - ABS - MECHANIC TOLD ME TO CONTACT YOU...SCAN ABS SHOWS CODES 1221, 1225, 1232 LEFT WHEEL SENSOR INTERMITTANT PROBLEM - POSSIBLE SENSOR OR COMPUTER. GIVING CONTRADICTORY READING. RESET COMPUTER DID NOT HELP. COMPONENT #2 - SUSPENSION OR STRUT ASSEMBLY. MAKES SCRUNCHING NOISE WHEN TURNING. COMPONENT #3 - FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IS MAKING THE NOISE AGAIN. STRAINING NOISE QUITS WHEN YOU TURN ON REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER TO OVERLOAD SOMETHING OR OTHER. HAD TROUBLE WITH THIS PART SINCE 1998 ACTUALLY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #725868
Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 1999
Suspension
I AM ATTEMPTING TO NOTIFY YOU OF A PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE IS VERY PREVALENT AMONG THE 1996-1997 MONTE CARLOS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS SHOPS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND I AM OFTEN TOLD THAT IT IS A "MONTE CARLO" PROBLEM. THERE IS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE THAT OCCURS WHENEVER A STRONG LEFT TURN IS MADE WITH THE VEH…
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I AM ATTEMPTING TO NOTIFY YOU OF A PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE IS VERY PREVALENT AMONG THE 1996-1997 MONTE CARLOS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS SHOPS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND I AM OFTEN TOLD THAT IT IS A "MONTE CARLO" PROBLEM. THERE IS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE THAT OCCURS WHENEVER A STRONG LEFT TURN IS MADE WITH THE VEHICLE, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE LEFT UPPER BEARING PLATE, ALTHOUGH IT IS UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT. WHEN ONE TURNS A LEFT CIRCLE AND ROCKS THE STEERING WHEEL, THE NOISE WILL OCCUR AND STOP WITH THE ROCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT, THE NOISE OCCURS, WHEN THE WHEEL IS STRAIGHTENED OUT, THE NOISE CEASES. MANY OF THE MECHANICS I HAVE VISITED REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY TELL ME THAT IT MAY NOT BE FIXED JUST BY REPLACING THE BEARING PLATE AS THEY ARE UNSURE OF THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOW THAT THE ENTIRE LOWER CONTROL ARM (TO THE BALL JOINT) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS WHAT MOST OF THE MONTE CARLOS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. I ALSO SEE THAT THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL-JOINT STUDS ON THE 1995 LUMINAS AND MONTE CARLO'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IS IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THE MONTE CARLO'S IN NORTHERN IOWA? MY APOLOGIZES TO YOU FOR HAVING TO READ THIS AS I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE MECHANICS AND STRUCTURES OF AUTOS, BUT MY THANKS TO YOU FOR LISTENING. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR OCCURRENCE AS EVERY MONTE CARLO OWNER I HAVE MET SEEMS TO HAVE THE SAME NOISE WITH THEIR VEHICLE. *AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA98019 · Degraded Braking Performance
Opened Aug 31, 1998 · Closed Dec 13, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE98023 · Degraded Braking Performance
Opened Apr 23, 1998 · Closed Aug 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.
1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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