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2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

170 reports with mileage · 60 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 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

Visibility complaints

6 reports
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80,000 miles · Feb 18, 2014
Visibility

WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES ON TWO WINDOWS. 2008, 2010, 2014. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A BAD DESIGN AND CABLE JUMPS TRACK AT THE LEAST OF BIT JARRING. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAPPEN AS WHEN THE WINDOW FALLS IT IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND. TWICE WINDOW FELL DOWN AT CAR WASH. ONCE TRAVELING 55 MILES AN HOUR. THOUGHT SOMEON…

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WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES ON TWO WINDOWS. 2008, 2010, 2014. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A BAD DESIGN AND CABLE JUMPS TRACK AT THE LEAST OF BIT JARRING. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAPPEN AS WHEN THE WINDOW FALLS IT IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND. TWICE WINDOW FELL DOWN AT CAR WASH. ONCE TRAVELING 55 MILES AN HOUR. THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOT AT THE CAR. IF WINDOW FALLS WHILE NO ONE IS AROUND THEFT COULD OCCUR OR IF RAINING IT WILL SOAK YOUR CAR. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE HOW THESE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE MADE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SAFE. TALKED TO PERSON WHO INSTALLED THEM AND HE HAD TWO REGULATORS GO OUT ON IS F150 FORD TRUCK AND HE REPORTED IT TOO. ALSO HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY MEMBER TOO TWO OF HIS REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON HIS F150 TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU RECEIVE BUT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT AND I NOTED THAT THIS A MAJOR COMPLAINT TO YOUR SITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564828

110,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Visibility

MY CHEVROLET WINDOW IS BAD AND IT THREW A ROD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347176

88,000 miles · Sep 24, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED NORMALLY. WHEN THE WIPERS WERE DEACTIVATED, THE BLADES REMAINED IN AN UPWARD POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS ANNOYING AND HINDERED VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTAC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED NORMALLY. WHEN THE WIPERS WERE DEACTIVATED, THE BLADES REMAINED IN AN UPWARD POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS ANNOYING AND HINDERED VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 10-30-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD ARE IN AN UPWARD POSITION WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN USE. UPDATED 10/31/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10243350

11,000 miles · Jul 8, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicVisibility

DT: SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHILE BRAKING THE ROTORS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A THIRD TIME YESTERDAY. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE LAMINATION ON THE ROTORS. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE…

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DT: SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE THE CONSUMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE ROTORS. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. WHILE BRAKING THE ROTORS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A THIRD TIME YESTERDAY. THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE LAMINATION ON THE ROTORS. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE ROTORS REPLACED BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID HE WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR AS WELL THE DEALER PLACING THE SAME TYPE OF ROTORS THAT HAVE BEEN RUSTING IN THE PAST. THE MECHANIC NOTED AIR BUBBLES IN THE CASTING IN THE ROTORS WHICH THE CAUSED THE RUSTING. *AK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH OR EVEN 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED PULSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, WHEN APPROACHING EXIT RAMPS AND WHEN MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE PEDAL, A MORE SEVERE PULSATION WOULD CAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. OTHER PROBLEMS: THE DRIVER'S WINDOW SWITCH WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE FRONT BRAKES WOULD GRIND WHEN STOPPING DUE TO ROTOR PROBLEM. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10126056

38,000 miles · Mar 31, 2005
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT STARTED TO SCRAPE THE WINDOW.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10117187

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2002
Visibility

REAR VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT DIM AUTOMATICALLY WHEN EXPOSED TO LIGHT. CONSUMER IS TEMPORARILY BLINDED BY OTHER DRIVERS. COULD CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. *AK SINCE CALLING IN THIS REPORT, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MIRROR. THE REPLACEMENT MIRROR OPERATES BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL. IT STILL HOWEVER HAS THE EFFECT OF BLINDING THE DRIV…

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REAR VIEW MIRROR DOES NOT DIM AUTOMATICALLY WHEN EXPOSED TO LIGHT. CONSUMER IS TEMPORARILY BLINDED BY OTHER DRIVERS. COULD CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT. *AK SINCE CALLING IN THIS REPORT, THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MIRROR. THE REPLACEMENT MIRROR OPERATES BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL. IT STILL HOWEVER HAS THE EFFECT OF BLINDING THE DRIVER. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8011600

Official recalls

4

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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S 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

1

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

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.