IllustrationREAR BRAKES PREMATURELY WORE OUT. ALSO, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES SUDDENLY, CALIPERS WON'T RELEASE AND WHEELS LOCKED UP. DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THEM.*AK
1999 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
20–25K
625–50K
1050–75K
1575–100K
5100–150K
6150K+
44 reports with mileage · 81 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports6 fire reports1 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
45 reportsWE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO GET THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PADS AND ROTORS FAILING ON THE 1999 MONTE CARLO EVERY 8,000 MILES IS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE, AND NEITHER WILL STAND BY THE WARRANTIES THAT THEY GIVE NOR WILL THEY REPAIR THE DEFECT.*AK
THE BRAKES WILL NOT OPERATE TO STOP THE VEHICLE NORMALLY WHEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE PEDAL WILL GET HARD LIKE THERE IS NO POWER BRAKES WORKING. AFTER YOU RIDE THE BRAKE WITH CONSIDERABLY MORE EFFORT THE BRAKES WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AND SLOW THE CAR. IF THEY ARE NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THEY ARE USELES…
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THE BRAKES WILL NOT OPERATE TO STOP THE VEHICLE NORMALLY WHEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE PEDAL WILL GET HARD LIKE THERE IS NO POWER BRAKES WORKING. AFTER YOU RIDE THE BRAKE WITH CONSIDERABLY MORE EFFORT THE BRAKES WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AND SLOW THE CAR. IF THEY ARE NEEDED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THEY ARE USELESS. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER WHEN NEW. THE ROTORS WHERE CHANGED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. TO THIS DAY I HAVE TO ANTICIPATE THE PROBLEM WHEN IN THE RAIN SO AS NOT TO GET INTO TROUBLE FROM IT. I THINK THE COMPANY KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM SINCE ON THE NEXT YEAR DESIGNED CAR THE BRAKES WHERE MADE MUCH BIGGER. BOTH IN THE BRAKE ROTOR SIZE AND THE CALIPER AND BRAKE SIXE. I AM AN A.S.E. CERTIFIED MASTER MECHANIC SO I KNOW WHAT I'M SPEAKING ABOUT. CONTACT ME IF YOU LIKE AND I CAN EXPLAIN MORE.*AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AT 25MPH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. MANUFACTURE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*AK.
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WILL ROLL FORWARD. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, H0OWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
AFTER READING THE OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MONTE CARLOS I FEEL THAT I SHOULD ALSO INFORM YOU ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD WITH MINE. AT A LITTLE OVER 7000 MILES MY CALIPERS STARTED "STICKING". I WOULD GO TO BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD AND THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER WOULD MAKE A WHINING NOISE. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 …
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AFTER READING THE OTHER CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE MONTE CARLOS I FEEL THAT I SHOULD ALSO INFORM YOU ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES I HAVE HAD WITH MINE. AT A LITTLE OVER 7000 MILES MY CALIPERS STARTED "STICKING". I WOULD GO TO BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD AND THE RIGHT FRONT CALIPER WOULD MAKE A WHINING NOISE. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES FOR THAT PROBLEM AND FINALLY ON THE 3RD ATTEMPT THE CALIPER WAS "RECONDITIONED"..... PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE WOULD TAKE WAY TOO MUCH ROOM TO GO INTO FULL DETAIL BUT I WOULD LIKE TO BRIEFLY EXPLAIN THOSE PROBLEMS AS WELL. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES NOW FOR A TOTAL OF 17 DAYS FOR TAPPING NOISES IN THE ENGINE. IT HAS HAD THE PISTONS, RINGS, CAMSHAFT, LIFTERS, TENSIONER PULLEY AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED... ALL THIS AND NOW THE MOTOR IS SLUGGISH AND FEELS AS THOUGH IT HAS LOST POWER.I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH THAT THIS CAR HASN'T PUT ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD YET. BUT WITH ME BEING A FULL TIME STUDENT TAKING NIGHT CLASSES AT A COLLEGE 15 MILES FROM MY HOME IT IS A SCARY THING TO THINK THAT THIS IS POSSIBLE WITH A NEW VEHICLE.*AK
BRAKES FAILED WHEN THEY ARE WET. I'M NOT SURE WHETHER IT'S JUST THE FRONT BRAKES. WHEN IT'S RAINING OUT ,IT IS DANGEROUS.THERE IS APPROXIMATELY A 5 SECOND DELAY AFTER YOU APPLY THE BRAKES.ONE TIME IN PARTICULAR I WAS ONLY GOING 40 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, NOTHING, WHEN THEY DID GRAB THE CAR WENT TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWA…
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BRAKES FAILED WHEN THEY ARE WET. I'M NOT SURE WHETHER IT'S JUST THE FRONT BRAKES. WHEN IT'S RAINING OUT ,IT IS DANGEROUS.THERE IS APPROXIMATELY A 5 SECOND DELAY AFTER YOU APPLY THE BRAKES.ONE TIME IN PARTICULAR I WAS ONLY GOING 40 MPH, APPLIED BRAKES, NOTHING, WHEN THEY DID GRAB THE CAR WENT TOWARDS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY ,I ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF IT.*AK
THE PISTONS AND RINGS WERE INITIALLY REPLACED AFTER HEARING TAPPING NOISES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE CAM AND LIFTERS WERE REPLACED WHICH STILL DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE FIXED THE ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE BRAKE CALIPER HAS "HUNG UP" NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE CAR PURCHASED. COMPLAINTS STARTED FOR THAT PROBLEM SOON AFT…
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THE PISTONS AND RINGS WERE INITIALLY REPLACED AFTER HEARING TAPPING NOISES IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIVE MONTHS LATER, THE CAM AND LIFTERS WERE REPLACED WHICH STILL DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE FIXED THE ENGINE PROBLEMS. THE BRAKE CALIPER HAS "HUNG UP" NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE CAR PURCHASED. COMPLAINTS STARTED FOR THAT PROBLEM SOON AFTER PURCHASE AND WAS FINALLY FIXED IN MAY OF 2001. JUNE 2001, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER SAYS IN ORDER TO CHECK THE PROBLEM WE HAVE TO PAY DIAGNOSTIC FEE EVEN THOUGH THE FACTORY WARRANTY IS STILL IN EFFECT. JUNE 2001, NOW THE TENSIONER PULLEY IS BAD. WHAT NEXT???
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
DURING WET CONDITIONS ONLY BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 SECONDS AFTER APPLICATION, THEN WILL CATCH, RESULTING IN AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, ACTED JUST LIKE OLD DRUM BRAKES WHEN THEY GOT WET. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE, BUT REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATI…
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DURING WET CONDITIONS ONLY BRAKES WILL NOT ENGAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 4 SECONDS AFTER APPLICATION, THEN WILL CATCH, RESULTING IN AN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, ACTED JUST LIKE OLD DRUM BRAKES WHEN THEY GOT WET. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DETERMINE CAUSE, BUT REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
Official recalls
315V701000 · 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 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.
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 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.
02V329000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 9, 2002
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO A PERSON WHO WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. IT COULD ALSO REDUCE THE AB8ILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT A RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 16, 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3.
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
1EA02030 · 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.