FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 155 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 41 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1997 | 4 | 42 |
| Dec 1997 | 3 | 45 |
| Feb 1998 | 4 | 49 |
| Mar 1998 | 1 | 50 |
| Apr 1998 | 1 | 51 |
| May 1998 | 1 | 52 |
| Jun 1998 | 3 | 55 |
| Jul 1998 | 1 | 56 |
| Aug 1998 | 2 | 58 |
| Sep 1998 | 5 | 63 |
| Oct 1998 | 4 | 67 |
| Nov 1998 | 2 | 69 |
| Dec 1998 | 3 | 72 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 73 |
| Feb 1999 | 4 | 77 |
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 78 |
| Apr 1999 | 2 | 80 |
| Jun 1999 | 2 | 82 |
| Jul 1999 | 1 | 83 |
| Aug 1999 | 4 | 87 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 88 |
| Nov 1999 | 3 | 91 |
| Dec 1999 | 2 | 93 |
| Jan 2000 | 2 | 95 |
| Feb 2000 | 1 | 96 |
| Mar 2000 | 2 | 98 |
| Apr 2000 | 1 | 99 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 100 |
| Jun 2000 | 3 | 103 |
| Aug 2000 | 4 | 107 |
| Sep 2000 | 3 | 110 |
| Oct 2000 | 2 | 112 |
| Nov 2000 | 2 | 114 |
| Jan 2001 | 4 | 118 |
| Mar 2001 | 2 | 120 |
| May 2001 | 3 | 123 |
| Aug 2001 | 2 | 125 |
| Sep 2001 | 1 | 126 |
| Jan 2002 | 2 | 128 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 129 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 130 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 131 |
| Feb 2003 | 2 | 133 |
| Apr 2003 | 1 | 134 |
| May 2003 | 2 | 136 |
| Sep 2003 | 2 | 138 |
| Nov 2003 | 1 | 139 |
| Dec 2003 | 1 | 140 |
| Jan 2004 | 2 | 142 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 144 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 145 |
| Feb 2005 | 1 | 146 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 147 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 148 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 149 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 150 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 151 |
| Oct 2009 | 1 | 152 |
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 154 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 155 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes4722.9%
- Electrical4421.5%
- Engine4019.5%
- Fuel system178.3%
- Transmission115.4%
- Steering83.9%
- Airbags73.4%
- Driver assistance62.9%
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
3 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.govSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
There is no summary currently available
DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10658939
- Incident
- Nov 16, 2014
- Mileage
- 50,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10649232
- Incident
- Oct 5, 2009
THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DEVELOPED A SEVERE LEAK. THE LEAK CAUSED FUEL TO BE RELEASED IN LARGE QUANTITIES DIRECTLY INTO THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND OUT THE THROTTLE BODY. FUEL CONTINUED TO FLOW OUT INTO THE AIR CLEANER HOUSING AND EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ONTO THE GROUND. SEVERAL GALLONS OF FUEL WERE DISCHARGED IN THIS FASHION. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING POORLY BUT GAVE NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A LEAK UNTIL THE AIR CLEAN WAS OPENED. THE PART THAT FAILED WAS A STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS PART NUMBER PR216T PURCHASED FROM ROCKAUTO.COM ON 5/15/2013 AND INSTALLED SHORTLY THEREAFTER. VEHICLE MILEAGE AT INSTALLATION WAS APPROXIMATELY 131000. THE PART FAILED ON 10/20/2014 AT VEHICLE MILEAGE148243 MILES. THE PART WAS INSTALLED TO CORRECT A SIMILAR SITUATION INVOLVING A MUCH LESS SEVERE LEAK IN AN OLDER PART. THE FUEL LEAKAGE WITH THE OLDER PART DID NOT ESCAPE THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. AGE AND ORIGIN OF THE OLDER PART ARE NOT KNOWN. THE OLDER PART MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINAL TO THE VEHICLE. GIVEN THE SIGNIFICANT QUANTITY OF FUEL DISCHARGED AND THE REPEATED NATURE OF THE FAILURE, I FEEL AN INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10649126
- Incident
- Oct 20, 2014
- Mileage
- 148,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION GEARS SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE. A LOCAL MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND DID NOT HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS TO DO SO. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT IDENTIFY OR LOCATE THE CORRECT TRANSMISSION FOR HIS MODEL. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10286808
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2008
- Mileage
- 80,000 mi
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT IMMEDIATELY STALLED AGAIN. THE ABS LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10170361
- Incident
- Oct 10, 2006
- Mileage
- 181,545 mi
1996 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO Z34, POWER DRIVER SEAT FRAME DEFECT. BOTTOM OF SEAT DETACHED FROM FRAME, WHICH MADE DRIVER FALL BACKWARD TOWARD REAR SEATS. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10165299
- Incident
- Oct 12, 2005
- Mileage
- 84,000 mi
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMOBILE HAVING A TICKING NOISE AFTER I START IT UP IN THE MORNING SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. IT WAS THE HEAD GASKET. THE AUTO ONLY HAS 75000 MILES ON IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME. THERE WAS A TSB #57-61-24A JUN98 ON THIS PROBLEM. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10152047
- Incident
- Feb 6, 2006
- Mileage
- 75,385 mi
1996 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL REGULATOR.*MR THE CONSUMER DROVE ABOUT 7 MILES AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDLE MOVED FROM FULL TANK TO HALF TANK DURING THE SHORT RIDE AND SAW SMOKE COMING FORM UNDER THE HOOD. THE NEXT DAY A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COULD BE SMELLED. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL REGULATOR HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER HAS THE FAULTY REGULATOR. *NM
- NHTSA ID
- 10121458
- Incident
- Apr 15, 2005
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details.
EQUIPMENT
This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 48.3 |
| 2006 | 113 | 2 | 1 | 52.3 |
| 2005 | 120 | 4 | 0 | 47.3 |
| 2004 | 230 | 7 | 0 | 53.4 |
| 2003 | 158 | 9 | 0 | 58.0 |
| 2002 | 230 | 7 | 1 | 60.2 |
| 2001 | 276 | 8 | 1 | 60.6 |
| 2000 | 233 | 8 | 1 | 61.9 |
| 1999 | 125 | 5 | 1 | 56.0 |
| 1998 | 100 | 5 | 4 | 64.7 |
| 1997 | 164 | 3 | 4 | 59.3 |
| 1996Viewing | 155 | 3 | 5 | 60.1 |
| 1995 | 169 | 5 | 1 | 60.3 |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1990 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — |
| 1989 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1988 | 3 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1987 | 5 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 1986 | 6 | 4 | 3 | — |
| 1985 | 4 | 2 | 4 | — |
| 1984 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1983 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 8 | 1 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 1973 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1970 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
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.