395 of the
2,964 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Monte Carlo
are about the braking system —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
I took my car into Freeland Chevrolet for the recall my car was running great,when i picked it up it was idling rough and smoking on my way home it was stalling out at every stop causing me to loose control of power steering and braking creating a safty haszard called them the next day and told them about it which they already knew because the manager was outside when i started it up. They said it was thowing 11codes when i brought it in saying that was the problem,which i could not have drove it their in that condition and never would.got in touch with corp office. In the mean time I had it towed back to them on DEC1,,,.Because its undrivable. Then on Dec11 got a call from corporate say i had to pay 253.00 for a Diagnostic also they told them it was throwing 21 codes when i brought it in.whats the Truth? they endangerd many lives by letting me drive that car off the lot.That tells me they have no regard for the safety of the public. my car is still there
NHTSA complaint #11704820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had numerous lights, noise, continuously for the last 7 years have replaced numerous parts, only to last awhile then the lights, noise return. Seems there is no cure for this malfunctioning problem, have heard GM is aware of these problems but have never received a letter regarding them, the anti-lock traction control braking system on these cars are headaches and troublesome, and expensive with no cure in sight, have spent tons of money on these problems, still keep having them.
NHTSA complaint #11564424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
These issues have been spotadic since I aquired the vehicle in october of 2021. Not infrequently the ABS system feels like it is trying to engage at low speeds with light braking such as in a parking lot. This also happens after coasting(no gas, no brake no cruise control))and then accelerating The radio will randomly stop playing or begin playing. The turn signal indicator chimes randomly stop chiming when the turn signal is in use though the interioir indicator light will flash normally. I have not been able to stop when this occurs with the turn signal still active to get out and verify it the turn signal is actually working At random times a loud clacking sound will come from behind the dash in the general vicinity of the radio and there will be no out put from the dash vents until the clacking stops. The use of any controls whether radio or climate does not seem to cause this nor will it stop it. Actuator doorb and/or solenoid perhaps?
NHTSA complaint #11458512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES IT IS SITTING OUTSIDE BUT ON BLACKTOP IN OUR DRIVE WAY. WE WENT TO USE IT AND THE DASH LIT LIKE MAD CHECKED BRAKE FLUID IT WAS LOW DROVE IT AND ALMOST DID,NT MAKE IT HOME WITH BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #11185841 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ABOUT OCTOBER 10TH, 2017 I WAS COMING UP ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO BLAST THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND MISS EVERYONE, EVERYTHING!. RATTLED I GUESS I SHUT THE CAR OFF WHEN I REGAINED MY COMPOSER I STARTED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I DID NOT WANT TO BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED! I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING WRONG MAYBE HAD MY FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL OR SOMETHING. HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR SINCE 2 WEEKS AGO WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT, WOULD NOT START. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME, TRIED TO START IT AND STARTED RIGHT UP. NOW SERVICE TRACK LIGHT IS ON AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES IS ON AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SOMETIME AND THE CRUISE LIGHT IS ON. YESTERDAY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SAME THING NO BRAKES, YOU COULD NOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN IT IS AS IF THERE IS SOMETHING UNDER THE PEDAL IT'S THAT SOLID. MY CONCERN FOR MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHER MONTE CARLO OWNERS IS MOST IMPORTANT. IF EITHER TIME WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A EXPRESSWAY WHERE WE COULD NOT TURN TO A SHOULDER THIS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC . CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, ALSO HARBOR CHEVY IN MICHIGAN CITY, IN AND GATES CHEVY IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ALL SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SIMILAR POSTS IN CAR COMPLAINTS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, SEEMS ODD GM DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. FOR EVERY ONES OWN SAFETY THIS SHOULD BE A REDUNDANT SYSTEM IN OLDER CARS YOU WOULD NOT LOSE ALL BRAKES. COULD UNDERSTAND IF YOU LOST ANTI LOCK PART BUT STILL COULD STOP. THIS HAS TO BE A OVERLOOKED FLAW IN DESIGN AND GM SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IF SOMEONES BEEN KILLED BY THIS HOW COULD THEY TELL YOU THAT HE LOST HIS BRAKES? THANK YOU MIKE
NHTSA complaint #11047285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HUB WITH THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HUBS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,856.
NHTSA complaint #11003988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A PRISTINE 2003 MONTE SS, STORED EVERY WINTER AND MAINTAINED BY MY MECHANIC HUSBAND. I HAVE 2 ISSUES WITH THE CAR. FIRST, I NEVER USE MY BRIGHT LIGHTS BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT IF I DO. SECOND I AM HAVING BRAKE ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE SAME THING WITH A SILVERADO TRUCK BEFORE. ABS WOULD COME ON A SLOW SPEEDS WHEN NOT NEEDED, DRY PAVEMENT OR GRAVEL. REALLY SCARES ME BECAUSE I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY SILVERADO TRUCK FROM THIS SAME PROBLEM. NOW MY ABS LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ARE ALWAYS ON AND NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN A DIE HARD CHEVY OWNER BUT I AM SO UNHAPPY WITH THE BREAK SYSTEMS IN THEM. I HAVE ANOTHER FOREIGN CAR THAT I DRIVE IN THE WINTER AND LOVE THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10874573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY STEERING WAS TIGHTER AT 75 MPH. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHICH HAS FLASHED ON BEFORE ABOUT 6 TIMES BUT QUICKLY WENT OFF. I THOUGHT THOSE TIME MY CAR WAS JUST HAVING A COMPUTER FLUKE. BUT THIS TIME THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT WITH MY STEERING TIGHT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID IT WAS OFF. MY BRAKES STARTED TO LOCK ON ME AS I TRIED TO PULL OVER WHICH WAS A HASSLE CONSIDERING I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL EASILY . EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT ALTHOUGH IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. IT TOOK MORE THAN 1/2 A MILE TO GET MY CAR TO STOP. MY CAR WAS TOWED. THE WHEEL HUB WAS SO DAMAGED THAT THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY ARE SURPRISED IT DIDN'T FALL OFF. THE SENSORS WERE JUST FLOATING AROUND . THUS MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER SITUATION TO CAUSE THIS DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE HAD 50,000 ORIGINAL MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE SWAY BAR COMPLETELY BROKEN. WHICH I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR SHOP HAS SEEN SEVERAL GM VEHICLE'S WITH THIS SWAY BAR PROBLEM. MY LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS IT WAS DAMAGED WITH THE OTHER COMPONENTS. I DO HAVE PROOF OF REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10795312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE CAUSING A CHAIN REACTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY CAUSING THE CONTACT TO SUFFER INJURIES TO THE CHEST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. MA 09/25
NHTSA complaint #10746378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT RESULTING IN A FOUR-VEHICLE CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT SHOULDER, ARM, BACK AND NOSE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10645020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY LOCKED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO AVOID THE OTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, HEADACHES, NECK PAINS, AND LEFT SHOULDER PAINS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND HEADACHES, WHICH ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E044000 (STEERING) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V190000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
NHTSA complaint #10643664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT APPROXIMATELY 4 PM I WAS DRIVING WITH THREE OTHER PEOPLE IN MY CAR ON THE STREET IN THE SOUTH SAINT LOUIS COUNTY(RAILROAD CROSSING WEBER RD AND CLOSE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE) AND WE WERE GOING ACROSS THE RAILROAD, WHEN ALL FUNCTIONS OF MY CAR DIED AND THE BRAKES .STEERING. ENGINE , ALL WENT OFF AND I GOT SCARED BUT IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT I PULLED MY EMERGENCY BREAK AND PULLED THE CAR TO A STOP. ALL THESE HAPPENED ON A VERY WELL PAVED STREET., AND ALL HAPPENED JUST WHEN I CROSSED THE RAILROAD TRACKS. I WAS VERY FRIGHTEN AS WELL ALL THE PEOPLE IN MY CAR. I WAS WONDERING IF ANY OF THIS THAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR HAS TO DO WITH THE RECALLS THAT HAPPENED WITH GM IGNITION SWITCHES. I ALSO TALK TO MY FRIEND AND HE SAID THAT HE USED TO HAVE A CHEVY LUMINA 1995 AND SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM ON A HIGHWAY IN SOUTH SAINT LOUIS AND HE DID SAME THING AND NO ONE GOT HURT. WHEN WILL ANYONE CONTACT US THAT AND ALL OTHER PEOPLE THAT DRIVE THESE TYPES OF CARS AND CHECK THIS OUT AND FIX THIS PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10640636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2003 MONTE SS HAD BEEN SMOKING AND HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & SHIFTING AND PUT ON TESTERS AND READ CODE AND I NEEDED A AIR FLOW SENSOR SO I HAD THAT PUT ON, WAS RECOMMENDED I GET TUNE UP SO I GOT THAT, AND HAD JUST PUT NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR I WAS LEAVING GAS STATION AND LOST ACCELERATION AGAIN AND THE CAR SMOKED AGAIN. I SOON LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING GAS & BREAKS AND WINDOWS. PEOPLE PASSING BY WERE HONKING AND SAID THE UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND UNDER HOOD HAD FLAMES IN FRONT OF CAR. I HAD TO THROW IT IN PARK AND JUMP OUT BECAUSE THE PEDDLES QUIT WORKING AND THE CAR EXPLODED IN FLAMES AND HAD I NOT HAD MY WINDOW DOWN I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE AND COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. THE ENGINE AND WHOLE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAR BURNED UP WITH 3-5 MINUTES. THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR AND THE ONLY MEANS OF GETTING DISABLED CHILD TO THE APPOINTMENTS HE NEEDED AND TO WORK AND HAS PUT HARDSHIP ON OUR FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #10632913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN CENTURY BOULEVARD MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 35 R 37 MILES AN HOUR,THE SPEED LIMIT IS A 35 MILES HOUR ZONE.WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE TRAFFIC SUDDENLY STOPPED REAL FAST, IT WAS ABOUT THREE TO FOUR IN FRONT OF ME.SO I TRY TO BRAKE THAT'S WHEN MY STEERING WHEEL GOT HARD TO WHERE I COULDN'T TURN AWAY IN TIME SO I CAN AVOID A CRUSH.IN A RESULT I HIT A LADY CAR FROM BEHIND ON HER LEFT SIDE BUMPER AND TO MY RIGHT SIDE BUMPER.THERE WHERE NO INJURIES,NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILE.WE HAD JUST EXCHANGE INFORMATION AND INSURANCE INFORMATION.BEFORE THIS HAD TOOK PLACE MY I COULD NOT TURN OFF MY IGNITION HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY POWER STEERING AND IF I BRAKE TOO HARD MY STEERING COLUMNS WITH JURR OR STIFFEN UP MAKING REAL DIFFICULT FOR ME TO TURN.
NHTSA complaint #10626193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10617869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
COMING TO A STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. HAD CAR TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND UPON INSPECTION ALL BRAKE LINES AND 1 FUEL LINE WERE RECOMMEND TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION (RUST).
NHTSA complaint #10609925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #10608819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.