RoadVitals

1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Jul 8, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
4
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Interior & seats114.3%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%
  • Seat belts114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: 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.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE89145ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE CABLE

Opened Jul 21, 1989
Closed Sep 22, 1989

===

PARKING BRAKE
PE89104ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

JAMMED STEERING MECHANISM

Opened Mar 17, 1989
Closed May 12, 1989

SUMMARY: THE OIL FILL TUBE MAY BECOME LOOSE, CAUSING IT TO FALL ANDPOSSIBLY BECOME LODGED NEAR THE STEERING GEAR.THIS MAY CAUSE THESTEERING MECHANISM TO BECOME JAMMED, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL.===

STEERING
C89001ClosedInvestigation

THROTTLE NON-RETURN

Opened Mar 6, 1989
Closed Jan 16, 1990

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
EA86025ClosedEngineering Analysis

WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Opened Aug 25, 1986
Closed Mar 2, 1988

SUMMARY:GM BELIEVES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED THROUGH ITS PUBLI-CATION OF 7 SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER. IN ADDITION, GMDOES NOT BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: THREE FAILURE MODES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED; INSULATING FILM MAYBUILD UP BETWEEN THE BRUSH FACE AND THE COMMUTATOR OF THE WIPER MOTOR,CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE WIPER MOTOR BRUSH AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THEWIPER ARMS MAY OCCUR. IN VIEW OF THE EXISTING LEGAL PRECEDENT, THE LARGENUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING WIPER MOTOR FAILURES (114,000) ANDTHE HIGH WIPER MOTOR AND MOTOR KIT PART SALES (251,000), IT IS IMPERATIVETHAT THIS MATTER RECEIVE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.STATUS: GM RESPONSE DATED 2/23/87. ANALYZING AS TIME PERMITS.EA CLOSED 3/2/88.=== D@

VISIBILITY

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jul 8, 2016

AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SPRAY PAINTED, I NOTICED A BURST-LIKE OPENING IN THE PILLAR NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE BUSINESS FOR REPAIR. HOWEVER, SOME MONTHS LATER THE BURST-LIKE OPENING REAPPEARED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. IS THERE A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM? THREE GAUGES HAVE STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY. THIS OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. THE GAS GAUGE IS PARTIALLY OPERABLE. PART OF A LEVER THAT WORKS WITH THE SEAT BELT, HAS BROKEN OFF. I FOUND IT TO BE BENT OUT OF SHAPE, THEN IT BROKE OF. THE VEHICLE BEING STATIONARY. THE REAR SEAT IS OUT OF PLACE AND STUCK.

NHTSA ID
10883598
Incident
Sep 16, 2001
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 10, 2004
Crash reported

THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE EXITING THE TURNPIKE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERATIVE. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STRUCK A MEDIAN BARRIER AT A TOLLBOOTH. TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS ACCIDENT THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE'S MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE LINES REPLACED (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *PH *NM

NHTSA ID
10057818
Incident
Nov 29, 2003
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Feb 25, 2002

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT THE BRAKE LINE PROCEDURE THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE WAS ILLEGAL, CONUSMER THEN CONTACTED THE BUSINESS THAT PERFORMED THE WORK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROCEDURE THEY USED WAS CALLED COMPRESSION FITTINGS WHICH WAS USED ALL THE TIME, ALSO THE MARKER LIGHTS WERE OUT.*JB

NHTSA ID
8004468
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 24, 2000

PE00-020; WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, STILL WITH AIR IN IT, CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE, TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE FIREHAWK SS P215/65R15 DOT 15101AT340. *SLC

NHTSA ID
873755
Incident
Jun 21, 2000

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000601019

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L V6 ENGINE IS INSTALLED. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Monte Carlo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010200—
2008200—
2007422048.3
20061132152.3
20051204047.3
20042307053.4
20031589058.0
20022307160.2
20012768160.6
20002338161.9
19991255156.0
19981005464.7
19971643459.3
19961553560.1
19951695160.3
1994000—
1991113—
1990012—
1989001—
1988322—
1987532—
1986643—
1985Viewing424—
1984331—
1983120—
1982221—
1981221—
1980041—
1979051—
1978081—
1977030—
1976040—
1975020—
1974130—
1973010—
1970010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.