NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
230 reports100,000 miles · Apr 1, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering
I WAS DRIVING (WITH MY CHILDREN IN CAR) AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. LUCKILY, ONE CHILD WAS IN DRIVERS ED & KNEW TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL & WE COASTED TO A STOP. ONCE I CALMED DOWN, I DROVE MY MONTE SS TO THE DEALER AND DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED. THE KEPT CAR FOR A WEEK AND INSISTED THERE WAS NO…
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I WAS DRIVING (WITH MY CHILDREN IN CAR) AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. LUCKILY, ONE CHILD WAS IN DRIVERS ED & KNEW TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL & WE COASTED TO A STOP. ONCE I CALMED DOWN, I DROVE MY MONTE SS TO THE DEALER AND DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED. THE KEPT CAR FOR A WEEK AND INSISTED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG! I DRIVE 1-3 HRS FOR WORK DAILY AND I DIDN'T TRUST THE VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE. I PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE 6 DAYS LATER BUT GAVE THIS CAR TO MY CHILD FOR IN TOWN DRIVING. I WAS NEVER THE WISER UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL YESTERDAY & IT'S DESCRIPTION. THE MONTE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN RECALL TOO. I WAS PREPARING TO PURCHASE A NEW IMPALA BUT NOW I BELIEVE GM IS STILL NOT BEING HONEST ABOUT ALL THE MAKES & MODELS INVOLVED WITH IGNITION PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576139
119,450 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiper
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO SS AND I AM HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS FUNCTION PROPERLY NEITHER DO THE TURNING SIGNALS MY SEATS WILL MOVE ON THERE OWN ,THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DOORS ONCE KEYS ARE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN PUMPING GAS INTO THE CAR THE P…
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I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO SS AND I AM HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS FUNCTION PROPERLY NEITHER DO THE TURNING SIGNALS MY SEATS WILL MOVE ON THERE OWN ,THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DOORS ONCE KEYS ARE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN PUMPING GAS INTO THE CAR THE PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF UNLESS I HOLD IT AT A CERTAIN ANGLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574100
80,000 miles · Feb 18, 2014
Visibility
WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES ON TWO WINDOWS. 2008, 2010, 2014. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A BAD DESIGN AND CABLE JUMPS TRACK AT THE LEAST OF BIT JARRING. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAPPEN AS WHEN THE WINDOW FALLS IT IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND. TWICE WINDOW FELL DOWN AT CAR WASH. ONCE TRAVELING 55 MILES AN HOUR. THOUGHT SOMEON…
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WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES ON TWO WINDOWS. 2008, 2010, 2014. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A BAD DESIGN AND CABLE JUMPS TRACK AT THE LEAST OF BIT JARRING. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAPPEN AS WHEN THE WINDOW FALLS IT IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND. TWICE WINDOW FELL DOWN AT CAR WASH. ONCE TRAVELING 55 MILES AN HOUR. THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOT AT THE CAR. IF WINDOW FALLS WHILE NO ONE IS AROUND THEFT COULD OCCUR OR IF RAINING IT WILL SOAK YOUR CAR. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE HOW THESE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE MADE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SAFE. TALKED TO PERSON WHO INSTALLED THEM AND HE HAD TWO REGULATORS GO OUT ON IS F150 FORD TRUCK AND HE REPORTED IT TOO. ALSO HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY MEMBER TOO TWO OF HIS REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON HIS F150 TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU RECEIVE BUT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT AND I NOTED THAT THIS A MAJOR COMPLAINT TO YOUR SITE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564828
148,000 miles · Feb 17, 2014
Electrical System
SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY GLITCHES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS CAR. FIRST OF ALL THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON WITHOUT BEING SELECTED AND THEN I WOULD BEGIN TO NOTICE THAT IF THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM WOULD NOT COME ON. THE TURN…
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SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY GLITCHES WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS CAR. FIRST OF ALL THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WOULD COME ON WITHOUT BEING SELECTED AND THEN I WOULD BEGIN TO NOTICE THAT IF THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT WAS ON THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEM WOULD NOT COME ON. THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT OPERATE. I ALSO BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE AND SHUT DOWN THE CAR PREVENTING IT FROM STARTING UP. THE IGNITION WOULD JUST CLICK BUT NEVER ENGAGE. THIS HAS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, THE BATTERY, THE STARTER. THE COOLING FANS, THE THERMOSTAT AND SERVICED OTHER AREAS BUT THIS STILL HAPPENS. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED MY CAR USED BUT THERE ARE OWNER WHO PURCHASED THEIR VEHICLES NEW AND HAVE CONTINUOUSLY EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS WITH THEIR VEHICLES AS WELL. I FEEL GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SHODDY WORKMANSHIP THEY DID ON THIS VEHICLE FROM THE DATE IT WAS MANUFACTURED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564631
189,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK FAILED AND CAUSED THE DRIVERS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,671.
NHTSA ODI #10562836
45,513 miles · Jan 31, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolineFireInjury
WENT OUT TO START CAR. TURNED ON KEY, SET RADIO. THEN TURNED KEY TO START ENGINE WITH A RESULTING LOUD EXPLOSION FROM UNDER HOOD. IN HURRY TO GET UP HOOD AND EXTINGUISH FIRE EXPERIENCED BURNS ON HANDS FROM LIFTING HOOD AND A FUEL LINE THAT WAS SQUIRTING FUEL/FLAMES. FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXTINGUISHED FLAMES. UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD IS…
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WENT OUT TO START CAR. TURNED ON KEY, SET RADIO. THEN TURNED KEY TO START ENGINE WITH A RESULTING LOUD EXPLOSION FROM UNDER HOOD. IN HURRY TO GET UP HOOD AND EXTINGUISH FIRE EXPERIENCED BURNS ON HANDS FROM LIFTING HOOD AND A FUEL LINE THAT WAS SQUIRTING FUEL/FLAMES. FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXTINGUISHED FLAMES. UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD IS BLOW APART WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS DESTROYED. THANK GOD THIS HAPPENED AT HOME WITH AN EXTINGUISHER HANDY AND NOT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO TIME TO SLOW DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10562438
65,000 miles · Jan 22, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 29 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, LEGS AND SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 29 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, LEGS AND SHOULDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 03/05/14*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10561012
128,000 miles · Dec 27, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting
MY 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL COMES ON WITHOUT BEING SELECTED AND THEN THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEMS GOES OFF AND ON BY ITSELF. THE TURN SIGNAL GOES ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY G…
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MY 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. THE CRUISE CONTROL COMES ON WITHOUT BEING SELECTED AND THEN THE HEATING/COOLING SYSTEMS GOES OFF AND ON BY ITSELF. THE TURN SIGNAL GOES ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES IT WILL WORK SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER CORRECTLY GOES UP AND DOWN SO I AM NEVER SURE WHAT IS IN THE TANK. OCCASIONALLY THE CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHTS WORK, THE RADIO PLAYS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE WILL OPERATE INSIDE THE CAR. I WILL SIT AND WAIT A WHILE. AFTER ABOUT 15-25 MINUTES I WILL TRY TO START IT AND THEN IT WILL START UP. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER CHEVY MONTE CARLO OWNER AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10557473
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10549379
93,000 miles · Aug 10, 2013
Engine
THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND THE ANTIFREEZE WENT INTO THE OIL AND THE ENGINE BLEW UP IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10534632
Official recalls
4Oct 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 engines 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 engines 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 engines 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.
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.
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 ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES 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.
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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