Electrical System. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Exterior Lighting. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports24 fire reports7 injury reports

Structure complaints

8 reports

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28,000 miles · Jun 9, 2015

Air BagsStructureCrash

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE FLOORMAT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10724395

19,000 miles · May 15, 2013

Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FLOOR MATS, WHICH HAD BECOME STUCK OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AND REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO…

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NHTSA ODI #10512101

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2009

Structure

I BOUGHT MY 2002 MONTE CARLO NEW,,,MY COMPLAINT IS MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT,,,I WASH IT ,,DRY IT,,KEEP IT CLEAN,,,,IT'S STARTING TO RUST,,,THE TIRE FENDERS,,,THE GAS DOOR. THE PAINT IS BUBBLING,,,THIS SHOULDN'T BE SINCE GARAGE KEPT,,IN WINTER GET SALT OFF,,,SUMMER ALSO GARAGE KEPT EXCEPT IF OUT AND ABOUT,,,,CHEVY MORE OR LESS SAYS …

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NHTSA ODI #10289036

167,943 miles · Oct 8, 2009

EquipmentStructureFire

CAR PART RECALLED. GOT NOTICE IN JULY 09. CAR CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF PART IN SEP 09. 2002 MONTE CARLO. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT! PART WAS JUST RECALLED THIS YEAR. THEY JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. DENIED CLAIM. 9 MO OLD AND 3 YR OLD IN CAR WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE ON EXPRESSWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286794

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2009

Structure

I HAVE A 2002 MONTE CARLO .THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS THAT BOTH DOORS PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOOR HAS DAMAGED AND BENDED BOTH FENDERS. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF MONTE CARLO CARS LIKE MINE. WITH THE DOORS BENDING THE FENDERS IT'S HARD TO GET IN AND OUT OF MY CAR AND IT ALSO CAUSES WATER TO GET IN MY DOORS EVERY TIME IT RAINS CAUSING MY…

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NHTSA ODI #10277329

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2003

EquipmentFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

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THESE ISSUES LISTED BELOW ARE TROUBLES I HAVE HAD WITH MY 2002 MONTE CARLO BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW 4/15/02 AND 21/02, FRONT BUMPER PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL. BUMPER REPAINTED./5/02 REAR SPEAKERS BEGIN TO CRACKLE AND QUIT WORKING. REPLACED./30/03 TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET GARAGE DUE TO VEHICLE PULSATING WHEN STOPPING AND THE CAR HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. FRONT AND REAR ROTORS FOUND WARPED AND RESURFACED. CARS FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FOUND TO BE LEAKING DOWN AND WAS REPLACED. 8/21/03 CAR PULSATING AGAIN WHEN STOPPING. RETURNED VECHICLE TO CHEVY GARAGE. FOUND REAR ROTORS RUSTED AGAIN AND REPLACED REAR ROTORS. WAS TOLD TIRES WERE CUPPING IN REAR. ROTATED TIRES ON 8/22/03 AND FOUND SCORE MARK ON REAR DRIVERS SIDE ROTOR. 8/22/03 RETURNED VEHICLE TO CHEVY GARAGE SHOWED SERVICE MANAGER THE DEFECT AND WAS TOLD THE PART WOULD NOT BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME EEVN THOUGH ROTOR WAS SCORED. S.MGR STATED THIS WAS NORMAL CONDITION DUE TO BRAKE PAD METALLIC LINING. 8/24/03 CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT ISSUE. ASKED TO HAVE NEW ROTORS AND BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE. RESPONSE WAS "GM IS AWARE OF ISSUES WITH OUR BRAKES AND ROTORS, BUT IF THERE IS NO DEFECT THE PART WOULD NOT BE REPLACED." I RESTATED ABOUT THE SCORE MARK ON THE NEW ROTOR AND WAS TOLD SORRY NOTHING THEY COULD DO AT THIS POINT. 9/2/03 WHILE OIL WAS BEING CHANGED TWO BOLTS WHERE NOTICED MISSING FROM THE TRANSMISSION PAN. WILL BE SERVICED ON 9/4/03 REPAIR PENDING. 9/3/03 VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE STARTING AGAIN. ENGINE HESITATES FOR 10-20 SEC. WILL BE ADDRESSED ON 9/4/03 THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT. I NEED NEW BRAKE PADS AND NEW ROTORS DUE TO DEFECTS IN PARTS. VEHICLE HAS 7YR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY. DO I HAVE A LEMON?

NHTSA ODI #10037176

7,000 miles · Mar 12, 2003

StructureCrash

THE ENTIRE VEHICLE UNDER CARRIAGE FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TIE ROD, AND CONTROL ARM BENDING AT A 25 MPH IMPACT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011485

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2002

Structure

WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. DEALER INDICATED FRONT SUBFRAME MAKING THE NOISE, BUT SO DO SEVERAL OTHER CARS OF SAME MAKE AND MODEL. NO SOLUTION OFFERED BY MANUFACTURER. OWNER HAS CONTACTED NEW YORK'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. *AK *MJ

NHTSA ODI #8010653

Official recalls

15V701000 · 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

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

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

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.

02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA02030 · 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

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Fuel System, Gasoline