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1997 problems

FaultScore report

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

Owners have filed 218 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with NHTSA between 1997 and 2012. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 13 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo All 1997 cars

FaultScore 46/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

How this is worked out

The numbers

218

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

96,450 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 49: Against the median year of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 73: 14.2% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 0: 0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 compares with every other Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Click any bar to open that year's report.

1 2 2 1 3 7 6 9 5 1 244 255 218 129 170 332 417 319 204 275 155 146 54 3 6

74 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 91 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 10

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 39 17.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 73,225 mi

Steering 30 13.8%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 118,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 30 13.8%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

Electrical System 18 8.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 92,000 mi

Airbags 15 6.9%

9 crashes, 0 fires · median 97,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 13 6.0%

Median failure at 118,000 miles

Lights 10 4.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 86,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 10 4.6%

Seat Belts 9 4.1%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 8 3.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 120,000 mi

Suspension 8 3.7%

Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 3.2%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 82,500 mi

Body & Structure 7 3.2%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

Seats 5 2.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Equipment & Accessories 3 1.4%

Median failure at 120,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 0.9%

Wheels 2 0.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Other & Unspecified 1 0.5%

Child Seats 1 0.5%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 24 27.0%

Gasoline 17 19.1%

Rack AND Pinion 16 18.0%

Engine 8 9.0%

Automatic Transmission 7 7.9%

Alternator/Generator/Regulator 6 6.7%

Frontal 6 6.7%

Foundation Components 5 5.6%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 5.4%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 10 27.0%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 7 18.9%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 16 43.2%

150,000+ miles 2 5.4%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2-DR.	—	—	—	—

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Jan 1997 peak 7 Dec 2012

NHTSA investigations into the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA03019 Opened 15 Sep 2003 Closed 18 Dec 2003 STEERING

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER...

RQ03001 Opened 2 Jan 2003 Closed 15 Sep 2003 STEERING

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS T...

EA98019 Opened 31 Aug 1998 Closed 13 Dec 2001 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE

PE98023 Opened 23 Apr 1998 Closed 31 Aug 1998 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE

Recalls on the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

07E021000 12 Mar 2007

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

03V527000 11 Dec 2003

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

01I014000 24 Sep 2001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1995-1999 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Z34 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN WET WEATHER OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS IS REDUCED MORE THAN A DRIVER WOULD EXPECT.

Risk: THE BRAKING COULD FEEL DELAYED MOMENTARILY WHEN LIGHT OR MODERATE FORCE IS APPLIED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS OR AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2003336 16 Dec 2003 55,411 units in Canada

Steering

On certain vehicles, the lower pinion bearings retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers may fail and permit the ball bearings to escape. If the problem were to occur, the driver would have to exert more effort to turn the steering wheel. Correction: Dealers are to inspect the condition of the lower bearing, and replace the lower pinion bearing or the rack and pinion steering gear assembly, if necessary. This is an extension of recall 02-199

Recall 1999083 12 May 1999 3,107 units in Canada

Engine

On certain vehicles, the spark plug wires may be causing the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) to be illuminated, as well as causing rough idle and poor performance. These conditions may be due to a dielectric breakdown of the plastic extender piece at the boot joint of the spark plug wire. Correction: Dealers will replace all six spark plug wires with a new service spark plug wire assembly kit that is designed to be robust against dielectric breakdown failures.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 27 Dec 2006 at 120,000 miles Pine Bluff, AR Fire

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THIS IS MY SECOND GM VEHICLE WITH THE SAME MALFUNCTION. FIRST, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN ON. THEN THE RIGHT BLINKER WOULD NOT WORK (STAYS SOLID, DOESN'T FLASH). THEN THERE WAS A SMALL FIRE ACCOMPANIED BY A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS IS A 1997 CHEVY MONTE CARLO. THE OTHER CAR I HAD WITH THE SAME MALFUNCTION WAS A 1995 CHEVY BERETTA. ALL REPAIRS ARE COSTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10177137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Dec 2006 at 120,000 miles Pine Bluff, AR Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

NHTSA complaint #10177137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 27 Dec 2006 at 120,000 miles Pine Bluff, AR Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

NHTSA complaint #10177137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 15 Jun 2005 at 65,000 miles Floyd, VA Crash 2 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

DT: 1997, MONTE CARLO, CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET FOR 68 MPH. CONSUMER WENT TO TURN OFF AT AN EXIT AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. BECAUSE OF THIS VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN ,CAUSING A COLLISION. CONSUMER AND OTHER OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED. *AK THE DRIVER WAS BRAKING HARD BUT COULD NOT SLOW DOWN VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, WHEN ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

NHTSA complaint #10125407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Jul 2004 at 121,000 miles Spring Hill, KS Crash

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, CAUSING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT A POLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO STEERING RACK FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10083913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 20 Apr 2004 Stanford, KY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. CONSUMER TRIED TO UNLOCK IT BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HIT A MEDIAN STEEL BARRIER. THEN, VEHICLE ROLLED THREE TIMES AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE, TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.

NHTSA complaint #10067494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 13 Dec 2012 at 220,000 miles Marietta, OH

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 85 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE LOWER PINION BEARING FOR THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V527000 (STEERING:RACK AND PINION) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

NHTSA complaint #10488701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 29 Aug 2009 Boody, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

MY 97 MONTE CARLO Z34 STARTED DYING ON ME WHENEVER I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND AFTER I HAD BEEN DRIVING IT FOR A WHILE. AND IT WOULD SHOOT FORWARD AFTER I STARTED IT AGAIN IN NEUTRAL(THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD START). PLACING MYSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS UNWILLINGLY, I WOULD HAVE TO START MY CAR AND MAKE SURE NO CARS WERE COMING ANY WAY OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE CRASHED! NOW MY CAR IS COMPLETELY UNDRIVABLE AND DIES WHENEVER I HIT MY BRAKES, I TOOK THE CAR TO SEVERAL MECHANICS SINCE THIS STARTED AND HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING CHANGED/REPAIRED: UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE GASKET SET, THROTTLE BODY GASKET, THERMOSTAT, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, AIR FILTER, NUMEROUS VACUUM LEAKS, VALVE COVERS.

NHTSA complaint #10282225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Jun 2008 at 119,000 miles Sparrows PT, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

MY 1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO WAS RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH AN INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (DUE TO LEAKING OF ENGINE COOLANT). TWO MECHANICS INFORMED ME THE REPAIR COSTS WOULD BE BETWEEN $800-$1000. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED SEVERAL GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLES BETWEEN 1996-2002 HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THOUGH NO OFFICIAL RECALL WAS DONE, GM DID PUBLISH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN REGARDING THIS PROBLEM A FEW YEARS AGO. I KNOW CANADA HAS FILED CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST CANADA GM CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 120K MILES ON IT, AND THE BLUEBOOK STATES THE VALUE TO BE AROUND $2200. DOES THE STATE OF MARYLAND HAVE INFORMATION ON THIS ISSUE REQUIRING GM TO PERFORM THIS WORK UNDER SOME KIND OF WARRANTY?

NHTSA complaint #10232010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.