FaultScore

1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo electrical problems

55 of the 255 complaints about the 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo are about the electrical system — 22% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 120,852 miles.

C

55

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Ignition 16 29.1%
Module 16 29.1%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 13 23.6%
Wiring 3 5.5%
12V/24V/48V Battery 2 3.6%
Front Underhood 2 3.6%
Horn 1 1.8%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 1 1.8%
Starter Assembly 1 1.8%

Electrical System across every Chevrolet Monte Carlo year

1995 15 2.4%
1996 55 8.8%
1997 18 2.9%
1998 10 1.6%
1999 10 1.6%
2000 46 7.4%
2001 78 12.5%
2002 56 9.0%
2003 49 7.9%
2004 151 24.2%
2005 89 14.3%
2006 29 4.6%
2007 18 2.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 120,852 miles China Grove, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

REOCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN EVEN 100 MILES THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE IT WONT PASS INSPECTION. THE EMISSION SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE WINDOWS KEPT GOING OFF TRACK. AS OF NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. I CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED SINCE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH "CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE" AND I'M ON PERMANENT DISABILITY THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY.

NHTSA complaint #10040818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brownstown, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD IS GETTING WET AND KEEPS CORRODING. MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT,HORN,LIGHTER .THEY SHOULD HAVE PUT IT IN A BETTER PLACE.THANK YOU!.

NHTSA complaint #751020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Duncanville, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. DEFECTIVE ALTERNATER WOULD NOT ALLOW ENGINE TO COOL. *AK CONSUMER STATED ALTERNATOR IS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE, BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION IT DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY, TO GET THE PART THE ENGINE MUST BE DROPPED, CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS A POOR DESIGN.*SLC

NHTSA complaint #888844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dunkinville, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SPARK PLUGS ARE CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRIVE POORLY.

NHTSA complaint #888845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

FOUND ODI ID 735734 ON YOUR WEB SITE, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY RECALL NOT ISSUED?. NO SAFETY DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #743219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norman, OK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

APPEARS DESIGN FLAW IN THE LOCATION OF ALTERNATOR CAUSING FAILURE?

NHTSA complaint #739053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clovis, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

PREMATURE ALTENATOR FAILURE, CAUSED BY ALTENATOR BEING POSITIONED UNDER CAR , WHICH CAUSES IT TO BE OUT OF A "COOLING AIR FLOW" AND TO OVERHEAT/BURN UP,INTERNALLY. PLUS, DUE TO IT'S LOCATION, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE, AND SUB FRAME HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE ALTENATOR. ALTENATORS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER 96-Z-34 OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. CLEARLY A BAD DESIGN BY GM, AND IT PASSES AN UNNEEDED/UNWANTED BURDEN ON TO PEOPLE WHO BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AND HOPE THEM TO BE TROUBLE FREE,. MODERN TECHNOLOGY SHOULD ALLOW THEM TO BUILD A SYSTEM THAT IS MORE DURABLE. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THAT ARE MUCH OLDER THAN THIS CAR THAT ARE MUCH MORE RELIABLE AND LESS COSTLY TO MAINTAIN. THIS POOREST / AND MOST UNRELIABLE OF MONTE CARLO NOW HAS A REPUTATION IN THE MARKET PLACE AND THE RESALE VALUE HAS PLUMMMENTED. THERE SHOULD BE SOME LIABILITY ON GM'S PART.

NHTSA complaint #735734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gaithersburg, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

THIS CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPEAT REPAIRS SINCE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS OVER, GM HAS TAKEN THE POSITION THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP IN THE REPAIRS OF THIS CAR. WHAT HAPPEN TO APPLIED WARRANTIES ON REPAIRS TO CARS. THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITS WITH THIS CARS FAILURES. I WAS INFORMED BY A DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER, THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PLACEMENT OF THE CAR'S ALTERNATOR ON THE ENGINE AND IT CAUSED SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT GM HAS SINCE RELOCATED THE ALTERNATOR ON LATER MODELS AND THAT SEEMS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH HAVING TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. IN NOVEMBER 1999, I PAID TO HAVE A PCM REPLACED AND THE TECHNICIAN FORGOT TO REPLACE THE NO KNOCK MODULE IN THE PCM. THIS CAUSED THE CARS SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK FOR REPAIR AGAIN. THIS MISTAKE CAUSED ME TO GO OUT AND BUY ANOTHER CAR. (TOYOTA).

NHTSA complaint #729848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gaithersburg, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THIS CAR HAS HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAS BEEN IN FOR REPEAT REPAIRS SINCE UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THAT THE WARRANTY IS OVER, GM HAS TAKEN THE POSITION THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP IN THE REPAIRS OF THIS CAR. WHAT HAPPEN TO APPLIED WARRANTIES ON REPAIRS TO CARS. THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITS WITH THIS CARS FAILURES. I WAS INFORMED BY A DEALERS SERVICE MANAGER, THAT GM KNOWS ABOUT THE PLACEMENT OF THE CAR'S ALTERNATOR ON THE ENGINE AND IT CAUSED SO MANY PROBLEMS THAT GM HAS SINCE RELOCATED THE ALTERNATOR ON LATER MODELS AND THAT SEEMS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITH HAVING TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. IN NOVEMBER 1999, I PAID TO HAVE A PCM REPLACED AND THE TECHNICIAN FORGOT TO REPLACE THE NO KNOCK MODULE IN THE PCM. THIS CAUSED THE CARS SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE CAR HAD TO BE TAKEN BACK FOR REPAIR AGAIN. THIS MISTAKE CAUSED ME TO GO OUT AND BUY ANOTHER CAR. (TOYOTA).

NHTSA complaint #729848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reston, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

REPLACED 2X (BOTH 4,000M AFTER PLUG WIRE REPLACEMENT) - NEEDED NEW BATTERIES.

NHTSA complaint #726576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reston, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

PLUG WIRE REPLACED AT 35K 50K 71K - LAST TWO CAUSED ALTERNATOR TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #726577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reston, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

BALL JOINT AND TIE ROD + FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AT 1ST ALTERNATOR - PARTS CORRODED AND FUSED TOGETHER 75K ON ORIGNIAL TIRES

NHTSA complaint #726578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reston, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

LOST ALL POWER NUMEROUS TIMES IN 1ST FEW MONTHS - DEALER NEVER ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #726581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marine City, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ALWAYS COMING ON, BURNED UP O2 SENSOR, VACCUM LINE BROKE CONTROLLING VENTS, CHARCOAL CANISTER CRACKED, TRANSMISSION SLIPS IF PEDAL IS FLOORED FROM TAKEOFF BETWEEN RST AND 2ND AND WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AFTER BRAKING, ABS FAIL IN WET CONDITONS RESULTING IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE,ALTERNATOR DEFECTIVE AT 63,000 MILES, VEHICLE SKIDS AND LOW TRAC LIGHT COMES ON WHEN BRAKING FREQUENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #723936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lee's Summit, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ROUGH IDLE DUE TO PLUG WIRES FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #549938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lee's Summit, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #549938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lee's Summit, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO PCM FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #549938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lee's Summit, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ROUGH IDLE DUE TO PLUG WIRES FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #549938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lee's Summit, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #549938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lee's Summit, MO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON DUE TO PCM FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #549938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Hazleton, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

THERE ARE MANY THINGS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AND NOW THE WARRANTY IS UP AND ITS NOT CHEAP TO REPAIR MAJOR PARTS THAT SHOULDN'T NEED REPAIR AT THIS TIME AND MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE(21,287). I LOOKED UP THE LEMON LAW ON MY INTERNET AND MY CAR DEFINITELY QUALIFIES AS A LEMON WHICH IS A SHAME BECAUSE I LOVE MY CAR. I ALREADY HAD REPLACES 3 SPARK PLUGS, 3 CYLINDERS IN THE ENGINE, IGNITION COIL, 3 CD PLAYERS, BRAKES, LEFT TURN SIGNAL. LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY WHEN I WALK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR THEY KNOW ME BY FIRST NAME, AND THEN THEY ASK ME WHAT'S WRONG THIS TIME? IT'S VERY EMBARASSING TO HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. IF I COULD AFFORD A LAWYER I WOULD FILE MY CAR AS A LEMON BUT I WOULD GET MY MONEYS WORTH BACK FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS AT 21,287 MILEAGE. AND IT WILL BE 4 YEARS OLD IN OCTOBER\2000. I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP IN SOME SORT OF WAY. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CHEVROLET COMPANY, BECAUSE MY FATHER ONLY WILL DRIVE CHEVROLET VEHICLES AND THAT WHAT HE WANTED ME TO GET AND IT A PROBLEM SINCE DAY 1 OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S A GORGEOUS VEHICLE AND DRIVE BEAUTIFUL WHEN THERES NOT A PROBLEM WITH IT. PLEASE TRY TO HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #720706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Hazleton, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

THERE ARE MANY THINGS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AND NOW THE WARRANTY IS UP AND ITS NOT CHEAP TO REPAIR MAJOR PARTS THAT SHOULDN'T NEED REPAIR AT THIS TIME AND MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE(21,287). I LOOKED UP THE LEMON LAW ON MY INTERNET AND MY CAR DEFINITELY QUALIFIES AS A LEMON WHICH IS A SHAME BECAUSE I LOVE MY CAR. I ALREADY HAD REPLACES 3 SPARK PLUGS, 3 CYLINDERS IN THE ENGINE, IGNITION COIL, 3 CD PLAYERS, BRAKES, LEFT TURN SIGNAL. LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY WHEN I WALK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR THEY KNOW ME BY FIRST NAME, AND THEN THEY ASK ME WHAT'S WRONG THIS TIME? IT'S VERY EMBARASSING TO HAVE THIS MANY PROBLEMS. IF I COULD AFFORD A LAWYER I WOULD FILE MY CAR AS A LEMON BUT I WOULD GET MY MONEYS WORTH BACK FOR ALL THE PROBLEMS AT 21,287 MILEAGE. AND IT WILL BE 4 YEARS OLD IN OCTOBER\2000. I WAS HOPING YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP IN SOME SORT OF WAY. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CHEVROLET COMPANY, BECAUSE MY FATHER ONLY WILL DRIVE CHEVROLET VEHICLES AND THAT WHAT HE WANTED ME TO GET AND IT A PROBLEM SINCE DAY 1 OF THE VEHICLE. IT'S A GORGEOUS VEHICLE AND DRIVE BEAUTIFUL WHEN THERES NOT A PROBLEM WITH IT. PLEASE TRY TO HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #720706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eockuysville, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SPARK PLUG WIRING BURNING UP. CONSUMER REPLACED WIRING ON FOUR OCCASIONS. REASON FOR THE WIRING BURNING IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. DEALER/ MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #832797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Scottsdale, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

"PHANTOM HESITATION OCCURS @ ANY SPEED,FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS. IT HAS BEEN "FIXED" TWICE AND STILL OCCURS. AT A LOW SPEED, ENGINE MAY STOP. THAT IS DANGEROUS IN AN INTERSECTION.

NHTSA complaint #715526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lewisburg, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING ON THE SPARK PLUGS.

NHTSA complaint #853040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sault Ste. Marie, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY HAS 100,000 MILE SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED, BUT SPARK PLUG CABLES FAILED BELOW 60,000 MILES. CONTACTED CHEVROLET AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS BECAUSE HOW I HAD THEM ROUTED, AND I HAD NEVER MOVED OR TOUCHED THEM SINCE I HAD BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I WAS REALLY UPSET WITH THEIR EXPLANATION, OR "EXCUSE". AND TO HAVE AN ALTERNATOR GO BAD AT 76,000 MILES, I DON'T THINK SO.

NHTSA complaint #709653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saline, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON /ROUGH IDLE AT START/ALOT HARD TO START, AND BRAKES WON'T HOLD IN WET CONDITONS.

NHTSA complaint #708104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saline, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON /ROUGH IDLE AT START/ALOT HARD TO START, AND BRAKES WON'T HOLD IN WET CONDITONS.

NHTSA complaint #708104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saline, LA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON /ROUGH IDLE AT START/ALOT HARD TO START, AND BRAKES WON'T HOLD IN WET CONDITONS.

NHTSA complaint #708104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berwyn, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

COMPLAINED ABOUT TRANSMISSION AT LEAST 10 TIMES, FINALLY FAILED COMPLETELT AND WAS REPAIRED. ENGINE LIGHT ON AT LEAST 15 TIMES, REPLACED INJECTORS, PLUGS, WIRES, O-RINGS, ENGINE GASKET, CAR STILL NOT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #705441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

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