The Chevrolet Monte Carlo has 32 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–2007. On average a defect was admitted 8.42 years after the car was built, the slowest took 25 years. The most recalled system is Service Brakes, Hydraulic (4 campaigns). Owners also filed 1,689 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 4 Read
What's wrong. Certain passenger vehicles were produced with lower than specified torque on both front brake caliper to steering knuckle attachment bolts. With improper torque, the clamp load at the joint may not be adequate to prevent movement between the caliper bracket and knuckle
Risk. Depending on whether one or both bolts backs out or fractures, the result can be locking of the affected wheel during braking and an abrupt steering input in the direction of the locked wheel, reduced braking and noise from the affected wheel, or severing of a brake hose, increased brake pedal travel, and reduced…
Fix. Dealers are to tighten both bolts to the specified torque. Owner notification began on june 28, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet 1-800-630-2438 or pontiac 1-800-620-7668
What's wrong. 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
Fix. Dealer will modify the front fender liners to remove a portion of the closeout panels in the front wheel wells at no charge to the consumer. This service will be available through august 2004
What's wrong. 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
Fix. Dealer will modify the front fender liners to remove a portion of the closeout panels in the front wheel wells at no charge to the consumer. This service will be available through august 2004
Air Bags 4 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. 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
Fix. 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…
What's wrong. On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture
Risk. This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants
Fix. Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. 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…
What's wrong. 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
Risk. 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
Fix. 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…
Steering 3 Read
What's wrong. Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area
Risk. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning
Fix. Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on february 23, 2009. Owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492 and press 5
What's wrong. Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area
Risk. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning
Fix. Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on february 23, 2009. Owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492 and press 5
What's wrong. Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for replacement use on the various vehicles listed above. A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area
Risk. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning
Fix. Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on february 23, 2009. Owners may contact dorman's toll-free hotline at 1-800-523-2492 and press 5
Engine And Engine Cooling 3 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire
Fix. 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…
What's wrong. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak
Risk. The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire
Fix. GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at…
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire
Fix. 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…
Fuel System, Gasoline 3 Read
What's wrong. On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. If the engine does not start when cranked, the fuel from the leaking regulator and a mistimed spark can cause a backfire
Risk. The backfire can rupture the intake manifold. The rupture of the intake manifold can displace a fuel line, pulling an injector out of place, and causing a fuel leak and possible fire
Fix. Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on june 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on september 30, 2004. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1)
What's wrong. Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n g3727, with date codes x52911 through x60801 sequentially or x600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. (to see the school bus engine sizes, click on "document search" and then "bus applications"). The connector on the fuel filter was not manufactured to honeywell's specification. As a result, the o-ring may not seat correctly on the fuel line
Risk. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur
Fix. Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on october 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (option 1)
Electrical System 2 Read
What's wrong. 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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine
Risk. 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. 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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and…
What's wrong. 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) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine
Risk. 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. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. 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 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and…
What's wrong. 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…
Risk. 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
Fix. 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
Equipment 2 Read
What's wrong. Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system
Risk. This does not meet the requirements of the standard
Fix. Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at…
What's wrong. Certain honeywell fram racing brand hp4 and hp8 oil filters that were manufactured from may 25, 2006, through september 14, 2007, and sold for use as replacement equipment for vehicles list above. The affected filters are marked with a date code a61451 through a72571 sequentially. The date code and part number appear on the filter housing. Fram racing hp4 and hp8 oil filters not bearing a date code in this range are not affected by this recall. The gasket of the oil filter becomes more pliable under high temperatures and pressures
Risk. This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. Honeywell will replace the affected oil filters free of charge. The recall began during november 2007. Owners can contact fram customer service toll-free at 1-800-890-2075
What's wrong. Certain honeywell fram racing brand hp4 and hp8 oil filters that were manufactured from may 25, 2006, through september 14, 2007, and sold for use as replacement equipment for vehicles list above. The affected filters are marked with a date code a61451 through a72571 sequentially. The date code and part number appear on the filter housing. Fram racing hp4 and hp8 oil filters not bearing a date code in this range are not affected by this recall. The gasket of the oil filter becomes more pliable under high temperatures and pressures
Risk. This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. Honeywell will replace the affected oil filters free of charge. The recall began during november 2007. Owners can contact fram customer service toll-free at 1-800-890-2075
Seat Belts 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly
What's wrong. The center rear seat belt anchor plate exhibits stress cracks
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the seat belt system can fracture and injury to the seat occupant can occur
Fix. Dealers will replace the center rear seat belt system
Suspension 2 Read
What's wrong. A right-hand lower control arm tapered ball joint mounting hole was incorrectly machined. Movement within this attachment can allow the ball joint stud to fatigue and fracture
Risk. If the ball joint fractured while the vehicle was in motion, loss of steering control to the vehicle can occur
Fix. Dealers will replace the right-hand lower control arm and ball joint stud on all involved vehicles
What's wrong. The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free
Fix. Both rear control arm attachment bolts will be replaced without charge
Exterior Lighting 2 Read
What's wrong. The push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without prior warning. Note: also, see NHTSA campaign number 86V131000
Fix. Replace headlight switch as necessary
What's wrong. The push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving conditions could reduce driver visibility which might result in a vehicle crash without prior warning
Fix. Replace headlight switch as necessary
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 8.42 years |
| Slowest campaign | 25 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 67.9% |
| Campaigns on record | 32 |
Which Monte Carlo years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Steering | |
| 2006 | Steering | |
| 2005 | Fuel System, Other | |
| 2004 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2003 | Air Bags | |
| 2002 | Air Bags | |
| 2001 | Seat Belts | |
| 2000 | Seat Belts | |
| 1999 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1998 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1997 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1996 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1995 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1985 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1984 | Equipment | |
| 1983 | Equipment | |
| 1982 | Equipment | |
| 1981 | Equipment |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
32 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–2007. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Monte Carlo still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 8.42 years, and the slowest campaign came 25 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.