IllustrationLEAKS TIMING AND HEAD GASKETS
2001 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
200–25K
2925–50K
2750–75K
3175–100K
36100–150K
21150K+
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
Engine complaints
48 reportsCECKING THE FUSES, NONE OF THEM WERE BLOWN. GAUGE WOULD BE READING HOT TEMPERATURE, WOULD CHECK THE HOSES AND RADIATOR NOTHING. FUEL SYSTEM IS DOWN NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED HER VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A LOUD BOOM FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE F…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED HER VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A LOUD BOOM FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOT CALLED AND NO REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FUTURE CHEVROLET OF SACRAMENTO (4811 MADISON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95841 (916) 265-2473) AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TOWED OVER SO THEY COULD INSPECT IT FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V-116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE DEALER YET. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK THE INCIDENT DOWN AND GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER AND A CASE SPECIALIST TO CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
ENGINE FIRE CLAIM# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT
2001 MONTE CARLO SS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET. *LD *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS
ENGINE BACKFIRED AND EXPLODED UPON IGNITION AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK. ENGINE WAS COLD AND IN COLD WEATHER. 3 FOOT FLAMES, MINOR BURNS AND INJURIES SUSTAINED ER VISIT FOR SMOKE INHALATION WHILE EXTINGUISHING FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. A NEIGHBOR'S CAR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SIMILAR YEAR DID THE SAME THING A …
Read full complaint
ENGINE BACKFIRED AND EXPLODED UPON IGNITION AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK. ENGINE WAS COLD AND IN COLD WEATHER. 3 FOOT FLAMES, MINOR BURNS AND INJURIES SUSTAINED ER VISIT FOR SMOKE INHALATION WHILE EXTINGUISHING FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. A NEIGHBOR'S CAR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SIMILAR YEAR DID THE SAME THING A FEW WEEKS AGO.
2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD UPDATED 07/13/2017*JS
I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP TO DEAL WITH A KEY IGNITION RECALL 2 MONTHS AGO. NOW MY CAR IS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHICH NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THE RECALL..
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF HER VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING OFF THE ROADWAY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, A DIA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF HER VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING OFF THE ROADWAY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR A KEY FOB, BUT NOT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V70100 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ELEVATED CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE BLOOD AND POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS FOR THE KEY FOB WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. UPDATED 06/28/17*LJ UPDATED 9/28/18*JB
INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLOSION RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO NEARBY VEHICLE. ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE ONE CRANK FOLLOWED BY LOUD EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN BLOWN APART INTO 15 - 20 PIECES. A SMALL FIRE ERUPTED. WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE QUICKLY ONE PIECE OF THE DESTROYED MANIFOL…
Read full complaint
INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLOSION RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO NEARBY VEHICLE. ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE ONE CRANK FOLLOWED BY LOUD EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN BLOWN APART INTO 15 - 20 PIECES. A SMALL FIRE ERUPTED. WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE QUICKLY ONE PIECE OF THE DESTROYED MANIFOLD HIT A NEARBY VEHICLE RESULTING IN PAINT DAMAGE.
Official recalls
515V701000 · 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.
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 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.
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
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.