NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
230 reports75,690 miles · Jan 15, 2010
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHT HIGH/LOW SWITCH ON MULTI-FUNCTION STALK FAILS AND PREVENTS SWITCHING FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM, ESPECIALLY HARD TO SWITCH FROM HIGH TO LOW. DEALER SAID ENTIRE STALK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PART ALONG IS OVER $300 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETE WHEN SWITCHING BETWEEN HIGH AND L…
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HEADLIGHT HIGH/LOW SWITCH ON MULTI-FUNCTION STALK FAILS AND PREVENTS SWITCHING FROM HIGH TO LOW BEAM, ESPECIALLY HARD TO SWITCH FROM HIGH TO LOW. DEALER SAID ENTIRE STALK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND PART ALONG IS OVER $300 NOT INCLUDING LABOR. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN HEADLIGHTS GO OUT COMPLETE WHEN SWITCHING BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW BEAMS. MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ON INTERNET WITH SEVERAL GM MODELS FROM ABOUT 2000-2003 MODEL YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10299940
50,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Exterior Lighting
WHEN MY WIFE OR I ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN A POORLY LIT AREA/REGION THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. WE ALMOST ENTIRELY LOST WHERE WE WERE ON THE ROAD AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE AN ABRUPT STOP. AFTER PLAYING WITH THE SWITCH FOR A COUPLE MOMENTS WE FINALLY GOT THE HIGH BEAMS ON. NOW, A CAR COMES FROM THE OTHER SI…
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WHEN MY WIFE OR I ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN A POORLY LIT AREA/REGION THE LIGHTS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. WE ALMOST ENTIRELY LOST WHERE WE WERE ON THE ROAD AND HAD TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE AN ABRUPT STOP. AFTER PLAYING WITH THE SWITCH FOR A COUPLE MOMENTS WE FINALLY GOT THE HIGH BEAMS ON. NOW, A CAR COMES FROM THE OTHER SIDE WE ATTEMPT TO POWER OFF THE HIGH BEAMS AND SWITCH BACK TO LOW BEAMS AND THE CAR STAYS STUCK WITH HIGH BEAMS ON AND WE ARE NOW BLINDING ON COMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED, HOWEVER, EITHER EVENT COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO AN ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN IN ADVERSE WEATHER. PLEASE ADVISE AS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298757
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
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
SON OWNS 2002 MONTE CARLO COUPE. RECENTLY, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLUGGED AND BACKED UP HEAT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND BURNT A HOLE INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT IS NOT ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. HE WENT TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME EVEN HAVING FIRES DEVELOP. THE C…
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SON OWNS 2002 MONTE CARLO COUPE. RECENTLY, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLUGGED AND BACKED UP HEAT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND BURNT A HOLE INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. IT IS NOT ALLOWING COOLANT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. HE WENT TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME EVEN HAVING FIRES DEVELOP. THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE SHOP STILL, X 1-1/2 MONTHS, WITH LOTS OF REPAIR REQUIRED AND COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289318
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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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 TO BAD,,,SO SAD,,,,WE PAY BIG BUCKS FOR THESE CARS...WHAT GIVES? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289036
90,000 miles · Oct 11, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2001-2002 GM MODELS, ABS SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING, RANDOMLY TURNING ON. HEARD MANY PROBLEMS ABOUT THIS, NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287013
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
95,000 miles · Sep 23, 2009
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR CONTROL MODE WAS ENGAGED; FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERATIVE. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIG…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN THE TURN SIGNAL SELECTOR CONTROL MODE WAS ENGAGED; FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER OBSERVED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERATIVE. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10285050
6,000 miles · Sep 12, 2009
Exterior Lighting
MY TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THEY WORK SOMETIMES AND DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANT SEEM TO GIVE ME A RESOLUTION. MY WARRANTY IS NOW OUT AND THE SIGNALS STILL DON'T WORK. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND CANT UNDERSTAND WHY THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BE…
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MY TURN SIGNALS ON MY 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY. THEY WORK SOMETIMES AND DON'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY CANT SEEM TO GIVE ME A RESOLUTION. MY WARRANTY IS NOW OUT AND THE SIGNALS STILL DON'T WORK. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND CANT UNDERSTAND WHY THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283759
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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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 SPEAKERS TO NOT PLAY RIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277329
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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