NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
48 reportsClear category filter1,200 miles · Mar 6, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentSteering
I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 09/01 IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE. FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT 1200 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 2000 MILES. AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM (I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO PARK SOME PLACE ELSE) THE MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 48000 MILES AND NOW THE WIPER SWITCH HAS GONE BAD. THE FRO…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 09/01 IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM EVER SINCE. FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REBUILT AT 1200 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 2000 MILES. AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM (I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO PARK SOME PLACE ELSE) THE MANIFOLD GASKETS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 48000 MILES AND NOW THE WIPER SWITCH HAS GONE BAD. THE FRONT END FEELS REAL BAD, BUT THEY CLAIM THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. JUST WAITING FOR THE FRONT END TO FALL OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR ON A HOT, RAINY, JULY MORNING. I'M GOING BACK TO FORD. OH YEAH FORGOT, PAINT WENT BAD 1 YEAR AFTER I BOUGHT IT. GM SAYS I DROVE THROUGH SOMETHING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10060593
50,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingTires
WINDSHELD WIPERS PARK STRAIGHT UP VERTICAL. HEATER RESISTOR FAILED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. STEERING WHEEL RATTLES WHEN CORNERING SLOWLY. LIGHT ALWAYS ON SAYING ANTIFREEZE LOW DESPITE IT NOT BEING LOW. TOO MUCH BASS IN RADIO ROUGH SHIFTS. BRAKE PADS DONE AT 70,000KM SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART AS SOON AS WARRANTY WAS UP.
NHTSA ODI #10071288
Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2001 MONTE CARLO SS DEVELOPED A LEAK BETWEEN THE UPPER PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AND LOWER ALUMINIUM INTAKE MANIFOLD. I STOPPED AT A DEALER AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THEY KNEW OF NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I ASKED THEM HOW MUCH TO REPAIR THEY REPLIED ABOUT $800 WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE CAR. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AN…
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MY 2001 MONTE CARLO SS DEVELOPED A LEAK BETWEEN THE UPPER PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD AND LOWER ALUMINIUM INTAKE MANIFOLD. I STOPPED AT A DEALER AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THEY KNEW OF NO PROBLEM BUT WHEN I ASKED THEM HOW MUCH TO REPAIR THEY REPLIED ABOUT $800 WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE CAR. I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR AN ESTIMATE, WHICH I DID. THEY THEN TALKED WITH THE DEALER AND CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. IN THE MEANTIME I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON IT. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE DEALER SAID THAT SINCE THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. SO I WAS STUCK PAYING A GARAGE $880 TO REPLACE BOTH MANIFOLDS AS DIRECTED IN THE TSB AND THE WORRY THAT MY YEAR AND A HALF OLD CAR MY LAUNCH ITS MOTOR AT ANYTIME DUE TO THE CONTAMINATION OF THE OIL WITH ANTIFREEZE FROM THE LEAK.
NHTSA ODI #10068834
30,000 miles · Nov 21, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
FOR THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE COOLANT LOSS FROM MY CAR, WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT WHAT I WAS SEEING WAS A "GASKET SEALER" AND I WAS NORMAL WITH A NEW CAR; HOWEVER, 4 MONTHS LATER I AM LOSING COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LOOSING UP, AFTER T…
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FOR THE PAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE COOLANT LOSS FROM MY CAR, WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION AND WAS INFORMED THAT WHAT I WAS SEEING WAS A "GASKET SEALER" AND I WAS NORMAL WITH A NEW CAR; HOWEVER, 4 MONTHS LATER I AM LOSING COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LOOSING UP, AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR, WHERE THE BOLTS WHERE SIMPLY TIGHTENED UP IT WAS OK , NOW IT IS LEAKING ALL AROUND THE INTAKE GASKET ON TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE MONTE CARLOS FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY ENGINE IS NOT AFFECTED I HAVE A 3.4 LITER AND THE RECALL WAS ON 3.1 AND 3.8 ENGINES. I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEALER AND CHEVY USA ON THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION, MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THIS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS "NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT" NOW IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PROBLEM IS WORSE I AM HOPING IN WRITING YOU THIS IT CAN BE INVESTIGATED AS TO WHY I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AS THE OTHER ENGINE SIZES BUT MY MOTOR IS NOT PART OF THE REPAIR RECALL, IT IS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT ON MY MOTOR. THE INTAKE SHOULD NOT JUST COME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE AFTER 20,000 AND 40,000 MILES SHOULD IT? THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 CHEVY MONTE CARLO LS WITH THE 3.4 LITER V6 AUTO TRANSMISSION. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047343
60,000 miles · Nov 3, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE DEALER INDICATED THAT HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING COOLANT FROM THE MANIFOLD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10046185
Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-50 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE STALLED -ONCE IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE AREA. LUCKILY, WE WERE ABLE TO TURN OFF ONTO A SIDE STREET, BUT JUST BARELY SINCE THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. *AK THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME STARTING. IT REQUIRES STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL - JUST LIKE THE OLD DAYS.
NHTSA ODI #10043814
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHILCE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10043943
4,132 miles · Jul 23, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 01' CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS. THE CAR WILL IDLE BETWEEN 1200 AND 3300 RPMS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM MAKES THIS VEHICLE VERY HARD TO CONTROL, SLOW DOWN AND STOP. MY FUEL MILEAGE HAS BEEN AFFECTED, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES, AND MY CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE …
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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 01' CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS. THE CAR WILL IDLE BETWEEN 1200 AND 3300 RPMS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AND IN PARK. THIS PROBLEM MAKES THIS VEHICLE VERY HARD TO CONTROL, SLOW DOWN AND STOP. MY FUEL MILEAGE HAS BEEN AFFECTED, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY BRAKES, AND MY CONFIDENCE IN THIS VEHICLE IS GONE. MY WIFE AND I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS CAR BECAUSE WE NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO ACT UP, AND WHEN IT DOES, THE SAFETY OF US AND ALL THOSE AROUND US IS IN JEPORDY. I HAVE TOWED THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OVER 8 TIMES, FOR THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD NUMBEROUS THIS REPLACE, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS COMING BACK. I HAVE ATTEMPTED A GM BUY BACK AND ALSO A LEMON LAW AND GM REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I NO LONGER WANT TO WASTE MY TIME AND MONEY ON A CAR THAT MAY SOON HARM SOMEONE OR MYSELF!!! *AK
NHTSA ODI #10029017
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE CONSUMER FELT THE OVERALL DESIGN INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND THE BRAKES WERE SERIOUSLY FLAWED. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE IGNITION HAD GOTTEN STUCK, THE ENGINE LOST OIL, AND THE DIPSTICK CYLINDER HAD LOOSENED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. GM DID NOT AGREE WITH T…
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THE CONSUMER FELT THE OVERALL DESIGN INCLUDING THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND THE BRAKES WERE SERIOUSLY FLAWED. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPERLY REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE IGNITION HAD GOTTEN STUCK, THE ENGINE LOST OIL, AND THE DIPSTICK CYLINDER HAD LOOSENED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REFUND. GM DID NOT AGREE WITH THE ABOVE COMMENT, AND STATED THE DEALER HANDLED THE SITUATION PROPERLY. (MODEL SS) MR SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015970
Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: STALLED WHEN COLD AND UPON HARD ACCELERATION, THE KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION, SUSPENSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS(ROD KIT WAS INSTALLED/NO BRAKES), THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT(REPAIRED), THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JUMPED FROM PARK GEAR TO DRIVE, AND AFTER THE IGNITION REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALL…
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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING: STALLED WHEN COLD AND UPON HARD ACCELERATION, THE KEY STUCK IN THE IGNITION, SUSPENSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS(ROD KIT WAS INSTALLED/NO BRAKES), THE TRANSMISSION HAD GONE OUT(REPAIRED), THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND JUMPED FROM PARK GEAR TO DRIVE, AND AFTER THE IGNITION REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HESITATED IN SHIFTING TO GEAR. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE DEALER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE, AND REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIR(S), AND THE RENTAL. MR SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10015209
Official recalls
5Oct 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 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.
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 ↗
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