ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 100 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and steering categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 4 NHTSA investigations name it; and 60 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 12 |
| Apr 1999 | 1 | 13 |
| May 1999 | 2 | 15 |
| Jun 1999 | 2 | 17 |
| Aug 1999 | 1 | 18 |
| Sep 1999 | 2 | 20 |
| Oct 1999 | 2 | 22 |
| Nov 1999 | 1 | 23 |
| Dec 1999 | 3 | 26 |
| Jan 2000 | 1 | 27 |
| Mar 2000 | 1 | 28 |
| May 2000 | 1 | 29 |
| Jun 2000 | 3 | 32 |
| Jul 2000 | 4 | 36 |
| Aug 2000 | 3 | 39 |
| Feb 2001 | 1 | 40 |
| Jun 2001 | 1 | 41 |
| Jul 2001 | 1 | 42 |
| Aug 2001 | 1 | 43 |
| Feb 2002 | 1 | 44 |
| Apr 2002 | 1 | 45 |
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 46 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 47 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 48 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 49 |
| Dec 2002 | 4 | 53 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 54 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 55 |
| May 2003 | 2 | 57 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 58 |
| Sep 2003 | 2 | 60 |
| Oct 2003 | 2 | 62 |
| Nov 2003 | 1 | 63 |
| Jan 2004 | 4 | 67 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 68 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 70 |
| Apr 2004 | 4 | 74 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 75 |
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 76 |
| Sep 2004 | 2 | 78 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 79 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 80 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 81 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 82 |
| May 2007 | 2 | 84 |
| Nov 2008 | 1 | 85 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 86 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 87 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 88 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 89 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 90 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 91 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 92 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 93 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 94 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 95 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 96 |
| Jun 2016 | 2 | 98 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 99 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 100 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes2520.5%
- Engine2117.2%
- Steering1613.1%
- Electrical108.2%
- Airbags97.4%
- Fuel system97.4%
- Interior & seats64.9%
- Visibility54.1%
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
5 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.govENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
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.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
EA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GMEA02-030 IS CLOSED WITH GM?S ACTIONS IN 03V-473 AND 04V-090 RECALLING APPROXIMATELY 529,000 MY 1998-99 C- AND H-BODY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS THAT ARE UNABLE TO CONTAIN PRESSURES THAT OCCUR IN SOME BACKFIRE EVENTS AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS WITH LEAKING DIAPHRAGMS THAT CAN PROVIDE A SOURCE OF FUEL TO PRODUCE A COMBUSTIBLE AIR-FUEL MIXTURE IN THE MANIFOLD.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY ODI THAT NO SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN THE VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN GM?S RECALLS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE INCIDENCE OF MANIFOLD RUPTURES AND RELATED FIRES IN OTHER MY 1995-2002 GM PASSENGER CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE SUBJECT INTAKE MANIFOLD.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
There is no summary currently available
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HIS DISAPPROVAL OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD RECALL NOTICE REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE PLASTIC "BEAUTY" COVER. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THE RECALL INCLUDED REMOVING THE BEAUTY COVER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL NOTICE DOES SAY THAT THE COVER WILL BE REMOVED, BUT DOES NOT STATE THAT IT WOULDN'T BE RETURNED. UPDATED 10/10/2017*JS
- NHTSA ID
- 10913415
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2017
ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2015, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR MONTE CARLO. UNBEKNOWNST TO HER THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING UNDERNEATH, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WITH NEITHER STEERING NOR BRAKING CAPABILITY. OTHER DRIVERS, NOTICING THE SMOKE, WERE ATTEMPTING TO NOTIFY HER OF THE IMPENDING FIRE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT ANOTHER MILE BEFORE LOSING CONTROL AND CRASHING INTO A TREE ON MY NEIGHBOR?S YARD. THE CAR BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS DESTROYED. WERE IT NOT FOR SEVERAL GOOD SAMARITANS, AND POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE FOLLOWING IS A HISTORY OF ISSUES WITH THIS CAR, DOCUMENTED FULLY BY SERVICE RECORDS FROM ITS PURCHASE IN 1998. 1.BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL. 2.TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. 3.UNABLE TO START DUE TO SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 4.WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY REPLACED. 5.POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED. 6.REAR SUSPENSION (PASSENGER'S SIDE) BROKEN. 7.PREMATURE ALTERNATOR FAILURE. 8.PREMATURE BRAKE REPLACEMENT, I.E., PADS, CALIPERS, ROTORS. 9.TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE FROM HARD BRAKING (INCIDENT NOT CONNECTED WITH FIRE) 10.INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACED DUE TO COOLANT FLOWING INTO CYLINDERS AND CRANKCASE. 11.PREMATURE RADIATOR REPLACEMENT. 12.ELECTRICAL SPIKE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH SYSTEM WHEN STARTING, CAUSING FULL-SCALE DEFLECTION OF INSTRUMENTATION AND LIGHTS TO BECOME EXTREMELY BRIGHT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10937463
- Incident
- Sep 24, 2015
- Mileage
- 190,000 mi
ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2015, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR MONTE CARLO. UNBEKNOWN TO HER THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING UNDERNEATH, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WITH NEITHER STEERING NOR BRAKING CAPABILITY. OTHER DRIVERS, NOTICING THE SMOKE, WERE ATTEMPTING TO NOTIFY HER OF THE IMPENDING FIRE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ABOUT ANOTHER MILE BEFORE LOSING CONTROL AND CRASHING INTO A TREE ON MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE CAR BECAME COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND WAS DESTROYED. WERE IT NOT FOR SEVERAL GOOD SAMARITANS, AND POLICE AND FIRE PERSONNEL, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. ALL DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.
- NHTSA ID
- 10881372
- Incident
- Sep 24, 2015
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
- NHTSA ID
- 10876459
- Incident
- Feb 19, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE NEAR THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NO FURTHER DETAILS WERE AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/11/16*BF *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10811160
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10786395
- Incident
- Apr 23, 2015
- Mileage
- 198,000 mi
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. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10640636
- Incident
- Jun 30, 2014
- Mileage
- 175,000 mi
FATAL CAR ACCIDENT ON 270 ON MAY 18TH 2008 4 TEENS KILLED AND 3 OTHERS INJURED. WITH ALL THE GM RECALLS WE ARE CERTAIN THIS WILL END UP BEING PART OF THE RECALL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10608140
- Incident
- May 18, 2008
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 |
| 1998Viewing | 100 | 5 | 4 | 64.7 |
| 1997 | 164 | 3 | 4 | 59.3 |
| 1996 | 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.