IllustrationSPARK PLUG WIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. MJS
1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Monte Carlo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 28 of 164 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
17 reportsFOURTH ALTERNATOR IN 18 MONTHS. REPAIRS WERE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE FAILURE ON LIGHT WIEGHT, LESS DURABLE COMPONENTS USED TO MAKE THE ALTERNATORS. HOWEVER, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS NOT A COMMON FAILURE FOR MONTE CARLOS. THEY SAY THAT I HAVE JUST HAD A STRING A "BACK LUCK W…
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FOURTH ALTERNATOR IN 18 MONTHS. REPAIRS WERE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES THE FAILURE ON LIGHT WIEGHT, LESS DURABLE COMPONENTS USED TO MAKE THE ALTERNATORS. HOWEVER, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS NOT A COMMON FAILURE FOR MONTE CARLOS. THEY SAY THAT I HAVE JUST HAD A STRING A "BACK LUCK WITH ALTERNATORS".
I TOOK MY CAR TO BOB MCDORMAN CHEVROLET IN JANUARY (VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) ABOUT SEVERAL CONCERNS I HAD. ONE CONCERN I POINTED OUT WAS THAT MY CAR "CRANKED" A LONG TIME TO START. I ALSO HAD THEM REPAIR MY DRIVER SEAT BELT, THAT WOULD NOT CONTRACT, HAD THEM CHECK MY BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE TAKING LONGER TO STOP ON WE…
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I TOOK MY CAR TO BOB MCDORMAN CHEVROLET IN JANUARY (VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) ABOUT SEVERAL CONCERNS I HAD. ONE CONCERN I POINTED OUT WAS THAT MY CAR "CRANKED" A LONG TIME TO START. I ALSO HAD THEM REPAIR MY DRIVER SEAT BELT, THAT WOULD NOT CONTRACT, HAD THEM CHECK MY BRAKES BECAUSE THEY WERE TAKING LONGER TO STOP ON WET PAVEMENT AND THEY WERE SQUEAKING. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, NOTHING WAS FOUND TO BE WRONG WITH ANYTHING EXCEPT MY SEAT BELT. I ALSO REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND IN THE MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. THEY TOLD ME SOME TICKING IS NORMAL ON A COLD START. ON 03-29-99 I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT KEPT FLASHING AND STAYING ON, THE IDLE WAS VERY ROUGH, CAR WAS MISSING TERRIBLY, SULFUR SMELL WAS PRESENT. BOB MCDORMAN CHEVROLET REPLACED THREE PLUGS AND WIRES. I TOOK MY CAR BACK ON 4-14-99 BECAUSE THE CAR WAS "RUNNING ROUGH" AGAIN. BOB MCDORMAN CHEVROLET REPLACED THE OTHER THREE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES. ON JULY 26, 1999 I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY @ APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. I LOST ALL POWER AND MY CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. I CALLED CHEVY ON 07-27-99. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR INTO A DEALER AND THEY "MAY" ASSIST WITH REIMBURSEMENT BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE IT. I CALLED SEVERAL CHEVROLET DEALERS BUT COULD NOT GET MY CAR IN FOR A WEEK. BOB MCDORMAN WAS CALLED AND I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER (STEVE ALEXANDER). HE TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDNOT GO BACK ON THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH ALL ALONG LIKE BEFORE IN "SPURTS" AND I FELT THE WARRANTY SHOULD COVER WHAT I HAD IT IN FOR BEFORE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I TOOK MY CAR TO A GARAGE, THEY SAID IT WAS THE ALTERNATER ($453.16). NOW, IN THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER, MY CAR MISSES AFTER IT IS STARTED AND STILL IDLING ROUGH. TOOK IT BACK TO THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD IT IS NOW MY FUEL PUMP. I CONTACTED
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE NOVEMBER OF 1998. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM BECAUSE THE BRAKES "FELT FUNNY" AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT "SQUEAKING" WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALSO STOPPING DISTANCES WERE INCREASED WITH WET PAVEMENT. THEY REPORTED THAT MY ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY RESURFACED THE ROT…
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I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE NOVEMBER OF 1998. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM BECAUSE THE BRAKES "FELT FUNNY" AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT "SQUEAKING" WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ALSO STOPPING DISTANCES WERE INCREASED WITH WET PAVEMENT. THEY REPORTED THAT MY ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS. I THEN WENT BACK BECAUSE THE BRAKES WERE STILL "NOT RIGHT" . THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM AND I THEN WENT TO BOB MCDORMAN CHEVROLET. THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM EITHER.
EXPOSED WIRING TO THE STARTER MOTOR CAN BE EASILY CONTACTED WHEN CHANGING THE OIL FILTER WITH A METAL TYPE WRENCH. THIS SITUATION CAUSES A SHORT BETWEEN THE STARTER MOTOR WIRING AND THE WRENCH. A COVER FOR THE STARTER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. BOTH PERSONAL INJURY AND MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEH…
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EXPOSED WIRING TO THE STARTER MOTOR CAN BE EASILY CONTACTED WHEN CHANGING THE OIL FILTER WITH A METAL TYPE WRENCH. THIS SITUATION CAUSES A SHORT BETWEEN THE STARTER MOTOR WIRING AND THE WRENCH. A COVER FOR THE STARTER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. BOTH PERSONAL INJURY AND MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ARE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS TO ANYONE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THESE VEHICLES. *AK
SPARK PLUG WIRES HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. GM HAS PUT TO SMALL A GAGE SPARK PLUG WIRE. SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 8MM SIZE WIRE.
WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A SHORT CIRCUIT, CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS/INTERIOR LIGHTS/DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TO TURN OFF FOR A LONG PERIOD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THECIRCUIT BREAKER. *AK
Official recalls
103V527000 · Steering:rack And Pinion
Dec 11, 2003
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
4EA03019 · 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.