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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

What owners actually said

230 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2003
Seat Belts

PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT LOCKING TIGHT WHETHER ENGINE IS ON OR OFF. *MR THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE USED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE OFF OR ON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE D…

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PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT LOCKING TIGHT WHETHER ENGINE IS ON OR OFF. *MR THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE USED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE OFF OR ON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS PUZZLED AS TO WHY THE BELT WAS LOCKING AND THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT GET IT UNLOCKED. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT FOUR TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TS *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10046455

90,000 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Air BagsCrash

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE RAN INTO A GUARD RAIL. UPON FRONTAL IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP MECHANIC HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10044871

29,000 miles · Oct 8, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED VEHICLE INVOLUNTARILY CHANGES LANES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS. HOWEVER, PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10042585

39,900 miles · Sep 29, 2003
Service Brakes, AirService Brakes, Hydraulic

CAR PULSATES WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK CAR INTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD BEFORE INSPECTION THAT THEY HAD BEEN RECEIVING A LOT OF SERVICE WORK FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEMS ON THE NEWER MONTE CARLOS WITH THE 6TH GENERATION BODY STYLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED AS DISCUSSED PRIOR TO INSPECTION THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND TH…

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CAR PULSATES WHEN BRAKING. I TOOK CAR INTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD BEFORE INSPECTION THAT THEY HAD BEEN RECEIVING A LOT OF SERVICE WORK FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEMS ON THE NEWER MONTE CARLOS WITH THE 6TH GENERATION BODY STYLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED AS DISCUSSED PRIOR TO INSPECTION THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE REAR ROTORS ARE RUST PITTED. THEY ALSO REPORTED THAT THE REAR CALIPER WAS LEAKING.

NHTSA ODI #10040930

Mileage unknown · Sep 3, 2003
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

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 HAVIN…

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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

3,000 miles · Aug 25, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BAD ROTORS, THEY REPLACED PADS ONCE, TURNED ROTORS THE SECOND TIME , SAID IT WAS FINE THE THIRD TIME AND SAID I NEEDED MY TIRES ROTATED AND NOW THE FOURTH TIME REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND STIIL SAME VIBRATIONS WHEN BRAKING, FEELS LIKE THE WHEELS ARE GONNA FALL OFF. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033469

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2003
Exterior LightingInterior Lighting

I TO HAVE A 2002 MONTE CARLO SS,THAT WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT THE LIGHTS,INSIDE AND OUT, FLICKER ON AND OFF.OTHER CARS COMING AT ME CAN ALSO SEE THIS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10028722

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2003
Air Bags

CONSUMER AIR BAG HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES DUE TO FRAME EXPOSSING AIR BAG. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10026273

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2003
Seat Belts

CONSUMER STATES FRONTAL SEAT BELT WEBBING IS LOCKING IN PLACE, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCK SEAT BELT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10026271

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2003
Air BagsCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10020244

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.