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2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

164 reports with mileage · 112 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports31 fire reports14 injury reports

What owners actually said

276 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2005
Exterior Lighting

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. THEY WERE AWARE OF OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES WHICH HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, AND THE PROBLEM WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING …

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TURN SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. THEY WERE AWARE OF OTHER CHEVROLET VEHICLES WHICH HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING SWITCH IN THE STEERING COLUMN. HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, AND THE PROBLEM WAS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144795

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2005
Steering

TOOK MY 2001 MONTE CARLO TO THE DEALER FOR 50K CHECKUP. DEALER STATES THAT I NEED A NEW STEERING GEAR (RACK & PINION). THIS PART SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. COST ME $1200 TO REPLACE. PROMPTLY TRADED IT IN AND WILL NEVER BUY GM AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144218

4,800 miles · Nov 21, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN HE MANUALLY TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS THEY WILL STAY ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE BELIEVED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RELAY FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *AK UPDATED 12/2…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN HE MANUALLY TURNED ON THE HEADLIGHTS THEY WILL STAY ON. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HE BELIEVED IT MAY HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RELAY FOR THE HEADLIGHTS. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143339

81,000 miles · Nov 18, 2005
Exterior Lighting

HAZARD SWITCH INOPERATIVE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10143160

81,000 miles · Nov 12, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE. NOTICE HAZARD SWITCH INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE. IF YOU PLAY WITH HAZARD SWITCH AND GET HAZARD LIGHTS TO FUNCTION THEN TURN SIGNALS WILL FUNCTION. WILL REPLACE HAZARD SWITCH AS I BELIEVE IT TO BE MALFUNCTIONING (AN INTERMITTENT OPEN CIRCUIT IN SWITCH). *JB

NHTSA ODI #10142523

75,000 miles · Oct 24, 2005
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY AND HAZARDS LIGHTS FAIL TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10140684

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2005
Fuel System, GasolineFire

DT: 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT TRIED TO START IT THREE OR FOUR TIMES WHEN IT EXPLODED. THIS OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS PUTTING TOO MUCH POWER TO THE ENGINE, AND THAT CAUSE…

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DT: 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT TRIED TO START IT THREE OR FOUR TIMES WHEN IT EXPLODED. THIS OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS PUTTING TOO MUCH POWER TO THE ENGINE, AND THAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. THIS HAPPENED IN MAY 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH WHEN STARTED. WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER BECAUSE IT WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH POWER TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEBRIS FROM THE EXPLOSION HIT THE TOP OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DOES STILL HAVE PARTS FROM THE VEHICLE. CHEVROLET STATED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL THEY COULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10140115

57,500 miles · Oct 17, 2005
SteeringCrash

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139841

11,000 miles · Oct 11, 2005
Power Train

DT: 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK WHEN ON AN INCLINE. . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED IT WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. ALSO THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT IS NORMAL. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 24, 2001. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE T…

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DT: 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACK WHEN ON AN INCLINE. . THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED IT WAS A NORMAL CONDITION. ALSO THE MANUFACTURER STATED IT IS NORMAL. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 24, 2001. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE.*AK UPDATED 1/23/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10139265

2,000 miles · Sep 11, 2005
Electrical System

THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO, THE SUN ROOF OPENS IF IT WANTS TO. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THIS AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THESE SYSTEMS DON'T WORK MORE THAN DO WORK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2001. IF YOU CAN'T HELP I G…

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THE TURN SIGNALS WORK WHEN THEY WANT TO, THE OIL PRESSURE GAUGE WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO, THE SUN ROOF OPENS IF IT WANTS TO. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THIS AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THESE SYSTEMS DON'T WORK MORE THAN DO WORK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2001. IF YOU CAN'T HELP I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO PAY NOW TO HAVE IT FIXED WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136120

Official recalls

5

15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Oct 26, 2015

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

09V116000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Apr 8, 2009

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

00V244000 · Air Bags

Aug 29, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULES (SDM) COULD EXPERIENCE A MEMORY ERROR RESULTING IN THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN A CRASH SITUATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.

00V228003 · Seat Belts

Aug 7, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.

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

1

EA02030 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Oct 22, 2002 · Closed Mar 9, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

Fuel System, Gasoline

EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.