RoadVitals

1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints 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.
48
Latest Aug 11, 2003
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
28%
of 169 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 48 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 48, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Aug 11, 2003

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
10033548
Incident
Aug 11, 2003
BrakesExterior lightingPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Jul 25, 2003

TRANSMISSION FAILLED AT 119461 REVERSE REACTION DRUM OUT LIKE ALOT OF THESE MODELS THIS YEAR COST1945 TO REPAIR. THEN, AT 127892 THE PARK NEUTRAL SWITCH OUT/ ANTI LOCK LIGHT STAYS ON ,TURN SIGNAL SWITCH DOESN'T WORK , AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK, FRONT ROTORS ON CAR HAVE TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED BECAUSE HUBS MACHINED SHORT, AND CHEVROLET HAS NO RECALLS ON ANY OF IT. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION, AND SOME OF THE OTHERS TO GUESS WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GENRAL MOTORS VEHICLE, AND RECOMEND THAT THEY WOULDN'T NEITHER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10029221
Incident
Feb 3, 2003
Mileage
119,461 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2002

CONSUMER STATES OF HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ABS SYSTEM. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR

NHTSA ID
8021494
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 6, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
762739
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2002

TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT. ALSO, ABS LIGHT CAME ON. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
8001722
Incident
Dec 22, 2001
Brakes
Filed May 14, 2001

ABS LIGHT COMES ON. ANTI LOCK BRAKES DO NOT WORK. THIS LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LOCKING UP OR BRAKING APART.

NHTSA ID
9002405
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Mar 5, 2001
Crash reported

DRIVER SEAT IS ROCKING BACK AND FORTH FROM SEAT ANCHOR WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AND A PASSENGER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS. *YH

NHTSA ID
882155
Incident
Dec 6, 2000
Brakes
Filed Feb 15, 2001

REPEATED BRAKE REPAIRS,AND ABS BRAKE FAILURE IS A ONGOING PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ID
740978
Incident
Oct 23, 1999
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2000
Crash reported

SINCE NEW BRAKES WORK INCONSISTENTLY. TAKEN TO 2 DEALERS AND INDEPENDENT GARAGE SEVERAL TIMES. THE ONLY ANSWER THEY FOUND WAS TO ADJUST REAR SHOES. HOWEVER THIS DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. SOMETIMES YOU STEP ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR JUST WON'T SLOW DOWN. USUALLY RIGHT BEFORE YOU RUN INTO SOMETHING THE BRAKES SEEM TO GRAB. WHENEVER I HAVE A FRIEND DRIVE MY CAR THEY COMMENT ON HOW SCARY THE BRAKES ARE. THIS CAR HAS A LOT OF BASIC FLAWS I CAN LIVE WITH BUT I WOULD LIKE BRAKES. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
732806
Incident
Sep 29, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 2000

REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS SEVERAL TIMES IN A YEAR REAR BRAKES ARE ALLWAYS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
724651
Incident
May 1, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 2000

BRAKE LIGHTS SHUT OFF WHEN YOU ENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL OR DIRECTIONAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
724649
Incident
Jun 30, 1998
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+5 more
Filed Mar 20, 2000

REAR BRAKE CYLINDER AND SHOES FAILED . YH

NHTSA ID
551431
Incident
May 13, 1998
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Jan 8, 2000

INTERNAL LOSS OF COOLANT STARTED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. WHEN I DETERMINED THAT IT WAS AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT, THE WARRANTY WAS DONE. CAR IS PRESENTLY DOWN UNTIL I CAN AFFORD THE HEAD GASKETS REPLACEMENT AND POSSIBLY REPLACEMENT OF A CRACKED HEAD. UPON STATE INSPECTION, LEAKING REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS WERE DISCOVERED ON BOTH WHEELS. ALSO, BOTH REAR STRUTS WERE DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY. WHENEVER IT IS VERY COLD, THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE STICKS AND I MUST SHIFT TO NEUTRAL TO STOP WITHOUT SLIDING. OCCASIONALLY THE ENGINE HAS RACED AT OVER 3000 RPM FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS BEEN RELEASED. THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO SEVERAL OTHER PERSONS I KNOW WITH THE 3.1 ENGINE. FOUR DIFFERENT MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES AFTER 30000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
717092
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
Brakes
Filed Sep 20, 1999

BRAKES: FELT LIKE STOP DISTANCE WAS TOO LONG, REPLACED REAR BRAKES, STILL NOT RIGHT, WENT TO REPLACE FRONT BRAKES AND DISCOVERED A COLLAPSED HOSE NOT HOLDING AIR, REPLACED, OKAY NOW. POWER LOCKS FAILED ON AND OFF FOR 2 YEARS, DO NOT WORK AT ALL NOW. REAR LEATHER SEATS SPLIT AT SEAM ON TOP NEAR REAR WINDSHIELD. NOT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, REAR SEAT RARELY USED.

NHTSA ID
711643
Incident
Dec 1, 1998
Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 1999
Crash reported

WHEN APPYLING THE ABS BRAKES PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
847659
Brakes
Filed Feb 12, 1999
Crash reported

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH CONSUMER HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, BUT BRAKES DID NOT WORK, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. BRAKE SPECIALIST STATED THAT BRAKE VACUUM HOSE WAS DEFECTIVE, BUT DOES NOT KNOW IF IT CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
834797
Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 1999

BRAKES FAIL INTERMITTENTLY DURING WET WEATHER CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID
543807
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 1999

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE PADS AND ROTORS ON THIS BRAKING SYSTEM 3 TIMES WITHIN THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE HAD THE CAR. I CAN'T AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING $200-$300, THIS OFTEN FOR BRAKES GOING BAD. *AK

NHTSA ID
702673
Incident
Jan 27, 1999
Brakes
Filed Dec 31, 1998

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CLYNINDAL, ROTOR AND BRAKES 4 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. THE MOST RECENT, 12/30/98, WAS 1 MONTH AFTER THE 3RD TIME. THE BRAKES FADE, GRIND AND DISAPPEAR ALTOGETHER. I HAVE JUST MISSED MANY ACCIDENTS. THE CAR IS CURRANTLY IN THE SHOP AFTER LOOSING THE BRAKES COMPLETELY. THE REPAIR MANAGER HAS TOLD ME IT IS NOW THE AIR HOSE FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKES AND THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE. I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR 3 OF THESE BRAKES JOBS FOR A TOTAL OF $900. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I SEEN ON THE COMPLAINT LISTING FOR MY CAR NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, SOME WITH INJURIES. THE PARTS USED TO REPAIR MUST ALSO BE DEFECTIVE. CHEVY MUST BE WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE THERE IS ACTION TAKEN. THE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP IS ALSO IS STUMPED. THEY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING. THEY APPEAR TO BE SINCERE AND HELPFUL. I AM AT WITS END. I CAN NOT CONTINUE TO PAY FOR WHAT MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE CAR DESIGN. I MUST WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE MAY HAVE DIED FROM THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT BEEN RECONIZED? PLEASE ASSIST ME IN RESOLVING THIS. I AM NOT GETTING ANYWHERE AND FEAR FOR MY LIFE. TRADING IN THE CAR IS NOT A GOOD OPTION FOR ME AT THIS TIME. THANK YOU, JOYCE KAMAN.

NHTSA ID
701758
Incident
Dec 30, 1998
Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 1998
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED WITHOUT A BRAKE SPRING KIT. CAR WAS INVOLVED IN TWO MINOR ACCIDENTS WHICH COULD HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF FAULTY BRAKES. MANUFACTURER IS UNAWARE OF THE INCIDENT, AND REPAIRS WERE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
829093
Incident
Oct 10, 1998
Brakes
Filed Sep 24, 1998

INADEQUATE BRAKING, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
541675
Brakes
Filed Sep 21, 1998

ABS BRAKE PROBLEM; WHEN HITTING A BUMP, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 12 TIMES FOR BRAKE PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 15 MONTHS. EVERYTHING ON THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST ONCE. CONSUMER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
828054
Incident
Sep 11, 1998
Brakes
Filed Sep 10, 1998

ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; THE SYSTEM KEEPS FAILING. WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS. ALSO, WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE LIGHT WILL COME ON. THE DEALER NOT ABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
827768
Incident
Jun 10, 1997
Brakes
Filed Jun 25, 1998
1 injury reported

VEHICLE CRASHED BECAUSE ABS FAILED. PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO FLOOR WITH NO STOP. ALSO NEITHER OF FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN EITHER CRASH.

NHTSA ID
537489
Incident
Oct 28, 1996
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 1998

WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT WORK CAUSING HIM TO USE THE MANUAL BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
537201
Incident
Apr 1, 1998

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .