NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
230 reports40,500 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR CAR STARTING. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THEN RECONNECTED THE BATTERY, SOMETIMES THIS WORKS TO START THE CAR OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. THE POWER LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. ONE DAY THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, SOMETIMES ITS NOT YESTERDAY, WE COULDN'T EVEN GET THE CAR …
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WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR CAR STARTING. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED. WE HAVE DISCONNECTED THEN RECONNECTED THE BATTERY, SOMETIMES THIS WORKS TO START THE CAR OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. THE POWER LOCKS NO LONGER WORK. ONE DAY THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON, SOMETIMES ITS NOT YESTERDAY, WE COULDN'T EVEN GET THE CAR TO START. TODAY, THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND THE CLUSTER GAUGES WERE NOT EVEN WORKING. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. WHAT A LEMON IT TURNED OUT TO BE. SADLY, IT NOW SITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY AS IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE. THERE IS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE KEY RINGS, AND AN INSET IN THE KEY SLOT OR A COVER ON THE KEY HEAD INSTEAD GM SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE MODELS TO REPLACE THE IGNITIONS, SINCE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE POSTING ONLINE ABOUT THESE SAME ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10632318
75,000 miles · Aug 15, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A SHORT DISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAM SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10622570
90,250 miles · Jul 31, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes
WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE ABS LITE CAME ON WITH WARNING BELLS ALONG WITH THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT AND TRAC TURNED OFF. LATER AS I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH THESE LIGHTS ON IT BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED ONTO THE SERVICE ROAD AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR SO I BLEW THRU THE STOP SIGN AND PULLE…
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WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE ABS LITE CAME ON WITH WARNING BELLS ALONG WITH THE SERVICE TRACTION LIGHT AND TRAC TURNED OFF. LATER AS I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH THESE LIGHTS ON IT BEGAN TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED ONTO THE SERVICE ROAD AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR SO I BLEW THRU THE STOP SIGN AND PULLED INTO A LOT. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT A FEW MINUTES. WHEN I RESTARTED I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME WITH ALL THE LIGHTS ON. SINCE THEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SERVICED, THE TIE ROD ENDS REPLACED, A NUMBER OF FAILED REPAIR ATTEMPTS AND $2000 LATER, SAME PROBLEM. AFTER EVERY TRIP TO THE MECHANIC AND 500 PLUS DOLLARS THE PROBLEM COMES BACK IN ABOUT A MONTH. THIS CAR OFTEN WILL NOT START, DEAD AS A DOOR NAIL. BY LEAVING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, TURNING IT TO ON AND NOT TOUCHING ANYTHING FOR TEN MINUTES, IT WILL RESET AND START RIGHT UP. REPLACING STARTER DOES NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10617869
68,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Service Brakes
HELLO I WAS TOLD I COULD COMPLAIN TO YOU AND POSSIBLY GET REFUNDED. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 76,900 MILES ON IT. MY BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT ON ME, AND I HAD $700 OF WORK DONE ON MY BRAKES, AT MONROE IN LOWELL, MA, ON CHELMSFORD ST. (RT. 110). I WAS TOLD I COULD COMPLAIN ABOUT MY ENTIRE BRAKES RUSTING OUT HERE. THANKS FOR YOUR…
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HELLO I WAS TOLD I COULD COMPLAIN TO YOU AND POSSIBLY GET REFUNDED. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 76,900 MILES ON IT. MY BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT ON ME, AND I HAD $700 OF WORK DONE ON MY BRAKES, AT MONROE IN LOWELL, MA, ON CHELMSFORD ST. (RT. 110). I WAS TOLD I COULD COMPLAIN ABOUT MY ENTIRE BRAKES RUSTING OUT HERE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME...UPDATED 07/15/14 *BF UPDATED 3/23/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10608819
127,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
DRIVING ON HWY 31 IN MCHENRY IL 60050 IGNITION TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING. LOST ALL POWER STEERING BRAKES CAR STOPPED BY RUBBING INTO CURB. WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A PICK UP TRUCK WHICH HAD NO WARNING THAT I WAS SUDDENLY STOPPING TRYING TO MANEUVER OF TRAFFIC. WITH THE CURB AND NO POWER I HAD NO WAY TO GET OFF THE ROAD.…
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DRIVING ON HWY 31 IN MCHENRY IL 60050 IGNITION TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING. LOST ALL POWER STEERING BRAKES CAR STOPPED BY RUBBING INTO CURB. WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A PICK UP TRUCK WHICH HAD NO WARNING THAT I WAS SUDDENLY STOPPING TRYING TO MANEUVER OF TRAFFIC. WITH THE CURB AND NO POWER I HAD NO WAY TO GET OFF THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605542
50,000 miles · Jun 5, 2014
Electrical System
OWNED SINCE NEW 2002 MONTE CARLO. THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE 3RD IGNITION SWITCH. THE LATEST JUST THIS YEAR. EACH TIME, IT HAS EFFECTED A DIFFERENT PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE RADIO, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THERE IS AN O-RING IN THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE HOOD THAT WAS FAULTY, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK IN THE E…
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OWNED SINCE NEW 2002 MONTE CARLO. THIS VEHICLE IS ON THE 3RD IGNITION SWITCH. THE LATEST JUST THIS YEAR. EACH TIME, IT HAS EFFECTED A DIFFERENT PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE RADIO, THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THERE IS AN O-RING IN THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE HOOD THAT WAS FAULTY, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACE TWICE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR, ONCE ON THE PASSENGER DOOR. THERE HAS BEEN AN ANTIFREEZE LEAK, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. THE FAN COOLING ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPLACE. THE DOOR WINDOW BUTTON HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES. THE LIGHT BULB CONTINUED TO BURN OUT EACH TIME.THE STEERING ASSEMBLY COLUMN HAS BEEN REPLACED, AND CONTINUES TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND. WHEN IT WAS RECALLED, THEY REPLACED IT AT THE DEALER AND MY HIGH BEAM FUNCTION HAS NEVER WORKED SINCE THAT REPAIR. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT RIGHT AFTER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY EXPIRED, WITHIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES. CURRENT MILEAGE IS JUST OVER 120,000 MILES. THAT IS 40,000 MILES PER IGNITION SWITCH. THIS IGNITION SWITCH RECALL CURRENTLY BY GM SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED THE MONTE CARLO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596501
8,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Electrical System
I HAVE A 02 MONTE CARLO THAT HAS A SECURITY FAULT LIGHT THAT POPS UP THE CAR WONT START WONT EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER I'VE LOOKED UP WHAT IT COULD BE AND WHILE I WAS LOOKING I'VE NOTICED THAT MULTIPLE MAKES AND MODELS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM HONDA, BUT AT LEAST HONDA HAD ENOUGH DECENCY TO RECALL THEIR MESS UPS. MULTIPLE MAKES FROM CH…
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I HAVE A 02 MONTE CARLO THAT HAS A SECURITY FAULT LIGHT THAT POPS UP THE CAR WONT START WONT EVEN TRY TO TURN OVER I'VE LOOKED UP WHAT IT COULD BE AND WHILE I WAS LOOKING I'VE NOTICED THAT MULTIPLE MAKES AND MODELS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM HONDA, BUT AT LEAST HONDA HAD ENOUGH DECENCY TO RECALL THEIR MESS UPS. MULTIPLE MAKES FROM CHEVY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 6 CARS AROUND SAME YEAR HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587360
117,000 miles · Apr 21, 2014
EngineFireInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ACHILLES TENDON AFTER ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DIAGNOSE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE ACHILLES TENDON AFTER ATTEMPTING TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
NHTSA ODI #10583988
110,000 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
I WENT TO TURN AND MY SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. WHILE TURNING, I LOST POWER TO THE BREAKS AND FELT AND HEARD A GRINDING/WHINING NOISE IN THE BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS A WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING WITHOUT BRAKING AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577602
100,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE KEY WAS ERRONEOUSLY BUMPED INTO BY THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE KEY WAS ERRONEOUSLY BUMPED INTO BY THE DRIVER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 6/26/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10576932
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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