39 of the 218 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo are about the braking system — 18% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 73,225 miles.
39
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
DECREASE BRAKING ABILITY ON WET PAVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10152849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
ABS LIGHT ON AND ABS SYSTEM FAILED AT 50,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10030562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT BRAKE PAD BROKE. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. PH
NHTSA complaint #10004278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FRONT BRAKES. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FRONT BRAKE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. TS
NHTSA complaint #10001397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WINDOW.
NHTSA complaint #8009067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE LOSES POWER, AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM BECOMES INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. RESULTS FROM COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP WHERE THAT VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS DUE TO A LOW BATTERY CELL. CONSUMER REPLACED BATTERY, AND I WAS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEMS AS BEFORE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #891279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #884977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS PREMATURELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT ONLY 38,000 MILES. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #881226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ENGINE LEAKS OIL OUT OF THE TOP SOME WHERE AND THE ABS HAS FAILED ABS LIGHT IN DASH STAY'S ON ALL THE TIME COST TO FIX BOTH PROBLEMS IS VERY HIGH FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #740916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
FIRST, THE A/C WENT OUT. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE, SUDDENLY, WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE POWER WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER CARS WERE ON THE ROAD, AND I WAS NOT TRAVELING VERY FAST. MY CAR BEGAN TO SLOW, BUT I WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. AS I PULLED INTO A SPACE, I TRIED TO STEP ON MY BRAKES, BUT THEY DIDN'T WORK. IT TURNS OUT THAT MY ALTERNATOR WAS OUT, SO I DIDN'T HAVE ANY POWER. BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THERE SHOULD BE A BACK-UP SYSTEM FOR THE BRAKES, SO THAT THEY WOULD STILL WORK IN THIS SITUATION (OR IN A MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION, E.G., IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY). THE PARKING BRAKE IS A BACK-UP OF SORTS, BUT, REALLY, I DON'T BELIEVE THE BRAKES SHOULD FAIL WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT.
NHTSA complaint #735902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKE SHOES OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING A THUMPING NOISE TO COME FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, LESS THAN A MONTH LATER THUMPING BEGAN AGAIN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMPONENT #1 - ABS - MECHANIC TOLD ME TO CONTACT YOU...SCAN ABS SHOWS CODES 1221, 1225, 1232 LEFT WHEEL SENSOR INTERMITTANT PROBLEM - POSSIBLE SENSOR OR COMPUTER. GIVING CONTRADICTORY READING. RESET COMPUTER DID NOT HELP. COMPONENT #2 - SUSPENSION OR STRUT ASSEMBLY. MAKES SCRUNCHING NOISE WHEN TURNING. COMPONENT #3 - FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND IS MAKING THE NOISE AGAIN. STRAINING NOISE QUITS WHEN YOU TURN ON REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER TO OVERLOAD SOMETHING OR OTHER. HAD TROUBLE WITH THIS PART SINCE 1998 ACTUALLY.
NHTSA complaint #725868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SIX REWIRINGS AND CAR STILL STALLS AND SHUTS OFF, ABS FAILS ON WET ROADS, FUEL GUAGE FAILS, SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #716769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CAR SIMPLY HAS NO BRAKES IN HEAVY RAIN. PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO EA98-019, BUT MY CAR IS THE LS MODEL, NOT Z34 WHICH HAS FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE OWNER JUST DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #715788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CAR SIMPLY HAS NO BRAKES IN HEAVY RAIN. PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO EA98-019, BUT MY CAR IS THE LS MODEL, NOT Z34 WHICH HAS FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES. DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE OWNER JUST DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN.
NHTSA complaint #715788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY ARE DEGRADING, AND NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. ON INSPECTION, BRAKE ROTORS WERE SEPARATING AND UNEVEN BUT BRAKE PADS STILL HAD MATERIAL ON THEM. METAL ON ROTORS WAS PEELING OFF. *AK
NHTSA complaint #844321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN VERY WET DRIVING CONDITIONS, APPLICATION OF BRAKING PRESSURE TO PEDAL DOES NOT INITIATE BRAKING PERFORMANCE IMMEDIATELY. THERE IS A DELAYED ONSET OF BRAKING OF SEVERAL SECONDS. THIS OCCURS REGULARLY AND PREDICTABLY IN VERY WET WEATHER. IT IS CLEARLY A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND COMPENSATION HAS TO BE MADE FOR THE DETERIORATED BRAKING PERFORMANCE WHEN CONDITIONS ARE WET. I CAN PROVIDE VIN NUMBER AT A LATER TIME.
NHTSA complaint #708649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES HAVE BEEN WORKED ON AT LEAST 6 TIMES THIS TIME THEY TOTALLY LOCKED UP AND WERE SMOKING AT THE SERVICE DESK. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY ENGINE OIL AND ENGINE RUNNING RUFF AND HARD TO START. A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS STARTED WHERE I HAVE LOST MORE THAN 15QTS OF OIL WITHIN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS. IT IS NOW AT THE DEALER AND THE ENGINE IS OUT.
NHTSA complaint #707764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN WET WEATHER, HAVE TO PUSH HARDER AND HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.
NHTSA complaint #704758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES REQUIRE EXCESSIVE STOPPING DISTANCES WHEN WET, CREATING FOR VERY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WHEN CONDITIONS ARE WET. YOU APPLY BRAKES AND THERE IS NOTHING FOR SEVERAL SECONDS AND CONDITIONS WORSEN WITH TIME. DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY SAY EVERYTHING OK NO PROBLEMS THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED REAR BRAKES NO DIFFERENCE. ALSO ALL LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF WITHOUT WARNING RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint #704489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #530563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #542472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER SMELLS GAS WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, FUEL PUMP MAKES NOISE. ALSO, CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WIT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. BRAKES DON'T STOP WHEN THEY SHOULD. THE DEFECT DESCRIBED ABOVE COMPLIES WITH INVESTIGATION NUMBER EA98019.
NHTSA complaint #831122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL HAS TO BE PRESSED EXTRA HARD. DEALER PUT NEW PADS ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #830786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EA98-019, DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE; CONSUMER NOTICED NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEEL WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE COMING TO AN INCLINE AND TURNING AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER IS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #830727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
PE98023; WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR IN WET CONDITION THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY OF BRAKING WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #827571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES DO NOT ACTIVATE PROPERLY CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.
NHTSA complaint #528469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL AFTER REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #536317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL AFTER REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #536317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.