NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
18 reportsClear category filter106,000 miles · Aug 26, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO FUNCTION ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08E063000 (STEERING) AND 09E005000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO FUNCTION ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08E063000 (STEERING) AND 09E005000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
NHTSA ODI #10759435
100,000 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
104,231 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Steering
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY AND SINCE THEN I BEEN HEARING THIS CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THAT NEED TO B REPLACED BECAUSE THEY GOT OUT A LOT ON THE VEHICLES. I TOLD THEM OF THEY KNOW THAT Y DIDN'T THEY RECALL THEM AND THE GUY TOLD ME…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY AND SINCE THEN I BEEN HEARING THIS CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I CALLED GM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT THAT NEED TO B REPLACED BECAUSE THEY GOT OUT A LOT ON THE VEHICLES. I TOLD THEM OF THEY KNOW THAT Y DIDN'T THEY RECALL THEM AND THE GUY TOLD ME BECAUSE THE SAFETY COMMISSION NEVER TOLD THEM TO. IM VERY UPSET AND FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! I REPLACED THIS PIECE NUMEROUS TIME AND IT KEEPS MAKING THIS NOISE AGAIN! I DON'T HAVE MONEY LIKE THAT TO KEEP REPLACING THIS PART. PLEASE HELP ME BY RECALLING THIS PART BECAUSE MY KIDS ARE A FACTOR HERE AND THIS CAN BE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484959
180,000 miles · Feb 15, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train
ON MY WAY TO WORK ON MY NORMAL ROUTE BEFORE DAWN, DRIVING DOWN A NARROW CURVY RURAL ROAD RIFE WITH DEER, I FLICKED ON MY HIGH BEAMS AS USUAL. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL MY HEADLIGHTS. SOMEHOW SAFELY PULLED OFF ROAD WITHOUT FALLING INTO THE DITCH AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF THE…
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ON MY WAY TO WORK ON MY NORMAL ROUTE BEFORE DAWN, DRIVING DOWN A NARROW CURVY RURAL ROAD RIFE WITH DEER, I FLICKED ON MY HIGH BEAMS AS USUAL. ABOUT 5 SECONDS LATER I LOST ALL MY HEADLIGHTS. SOMEHOW SAFELY PULLED OFF ROAD WITHOUT FALLING INTO THE DITCH AND TURNED OFF VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF TURNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF THE FOG LAMPS CAME ON AND I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT BACK HOME VERY SLOWLY. SPENT $1000 GETTING A CONTROL MODULE REPLACED. HAD TROUBLE WITH TURN SIGNALS QUITTING RANDOMLY FOR 3 YEARS, HAVE TO TURN ON EMERGENCY FLASHERS IN ORDER TO GET THEM TO WORK. ANOTHER $500 WILL FIX THE PROBLEM BUT SINCE THE CAR IS ONLY WORTH $1500 IT DOESN'T SEEM WORTH IT. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK - 2 TRANSMISSIONS, NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, 5 STEERING SHAFT REPLACEMENTS... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10310435
25,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Steering
NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT A VERY LOW MILEAGE (25000?) AND INQUIRED OF THE DEALER. TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.. HAD IT CHECKED BY AN AFTERMARKET REPAIR SHOP AT ABOUT 40,000 AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THAT CHEVY'S WERE HAVING A REAL BAD PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEERING COLUMNS.. …
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NOTICED A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN AT A VERY LOW MILEAGE (25000?) AND INQUIRED OF THE DEALER. TOLD THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.. HAD IT CHECKED BY AN AFTERMARKET REPAIR SHOP AT ABOUT 40,000 AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM BUT THAT CHEVY'S WERE HAVING A REAL BAD PROBLEM WITH THEIR STEERING COLUMNS.. VEHICLE NOW HAS 56,000 AND AM NOW TOLD BY CHEVY DEALER I NEED TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AND RACK AND PINION AT MY EXPENSE. DEALER MENTIONED THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM BUT DIDN'T KNOW OF ANY RECALLS YET. COST ESTIMATE IS $1000.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292347
40,000 miles · Jun 18, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN EVERYTIME HE TURNED THE WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY WAY IT COULD BE REPAIRED WAS BY TAKING THE STEERING COLUMN APART FOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN EVERYTIME HE TURNED THE WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY WAY IT COULD BE REPAIRED WAS BY TAKING THE STEERING COLUMN APART FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE REPAIRS MAY HAVE TO BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SPARK PLUGS AND NOW AN OIL LEAK IS PRESENT. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 07/10/09. *LJ UPDATED 07/10/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10274204
70,000 miles · Apr 14, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Electric
I OWN A LEMON OF A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR. STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS, COST $200.00 TO FIX, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, COVERED BY WARRANTY THANK GOD. TODAY IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR LEAKY GASKET AND WHEEL BEARING/ HUB REPLACEMENT WHICH IS COSTING ANOTHER $500.00. THIS W…
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I OWN A LEMON OF A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR. STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS, COST $200.00 TO FIX, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, COVERED BY WARRANTY THANK GOD. TODAY IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR LEAKY GASKET AND WHEEL BEARING/ HUB REPLACEMENT WHICH IS COSTING ANOTHER $500.00. THIS WAS BAD BECAUSE THE ABS BREAKS DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK WHICH WAS SCARY SINCE I WONDERED WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE OUT TOTALLY AND I WOULD BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST US ANOTHER $700.00. IS THERE ANY HELP FOR US? I WONDER WHAT WILL BE NEXT WITH THIS CAR, IT IS A NICE LOOKING CAR, BUT IT SUCKS MECHANICALLY!! PLEASE HELP! ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265271
33,000 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Steering
MY 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO SS HAS A CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING, I HAD THIS FIXED 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AGAIN NOW FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS. I WAS WAITING FOR A RECALL BUT HAVE HEARD NOTHING YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243203
51,000 miles · Jul 2, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering
ABS AND TAC OFF LIGHT COME ON STAY ON AND SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON TOOK TO SHOP IF DIDN'T FIX (MEANING I HAVE NO ANTILOCK BRAKES AND THEY THING ITS THE ABS MOTOR PUMP THINK) I WONT BE ABLE TO GET A INSPECTION STICKER AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST 1600 TO FIX AND WENT ON WEB AND SEEN MANY HUNDREDS OF 2002 MONTE OWN…
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ABS AND TAC OFF LIGHT COME ON STAY ON AND SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON TOOK TO SHOP IF DIDN'T FIX (MEANING I HAVE NO ANTILOCK BRAKES AND THEY THING ITS THE ABS MOTOR PUMP THINK) I WONT BE ABLE TO GET A INSPECTION STICKER AND THEY SAID IT WILL COST 1600 TO FIX AND WENT ON WEB AND SEEN MANY HUNDREDS OF 2002 MONTE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10232983
53,000 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering
I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 53,000 MILES ON IT WITH INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PROBLEMS AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET PROBLEMS. BOTH ARE APPARENTLY COMMON ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. CHEVROLET SHOULD MAKE THESE REPAIRS. THE STEERING CAN BE AFFECTED, WHICH IS A HAZARD AND THE GASKET COULD CAUSE ENGINE FREEZE UP WHILE DRIVING, ALSO A HAZA…
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I OWN A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO 53,000 MILES ON IT WITH INTERMEDIATE SHAFT PROBLEMS AND INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET PROBLEMS. BOTH ARE APPARENTLY COMMON ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL. CHEVROLET SHOULD MAKE THESE REPAIRS. THE STEERING CAN BE AFFECTED, WHICH IS A HAZARD AND THE GASKET COULD CAUSE ENGINE FREEZE UP WHILE DRIVING, ALSO A HAZARD. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10206697
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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