RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
95
Latest Oct 20, 2020
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.
34%
of 276 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.
27
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 95 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 95, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2020

LEAKS TIMING AND HEAD GASKETS

NHTSA ID
11365402
Incident
Sep 1, 2020
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 2, 2019

CECKING THE FUSES, NONE OF THEM WERE BLOWN. GAUGE WOULD BE READING HOT TEMPERATURE, WOULD CHECK THE HOSES AND RADIATOR NOTHING. FUEL SYSTEM IS DOWN NOW.

NHTSA ID
11241335
Incident
Jul 2, 2019
Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2019
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED HER VEHICLE, SHE HEARD A LOUD BOOM FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE HOOD WAS OPENED AND A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE NOT CALLED AND NO REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FUTURE CHEVROLET OF SACRAMENTO (4811 MADISON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95841 (916) 265-2473) AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TOWED OVER SO THEY COULD INSPECT IT FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD A NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V-116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT MOVED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE DEALER YET. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK THE INCIDENT DOWN AND GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER AND A CASE SPECIALIST TO CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID
11235110
Incident
Jul 20, 2019
Mileage
117,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2019
Fire reported

ENGINE FIRE CLAIM# [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID
11202937
Incident
Feb 6, 2019
Engine
Filed Mar 13, 2019

2001 MONTE CARLO SS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKET. *LD *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS

NHTSA ID
11184070
Incident
Mar 9, 2016
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 21, 2019
Fire reported1 injury reported

ENGINE BACKFIRED AND EXPLODED UPON IGNITION AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK. ENGINE WAS COLD AND IN COLD WEATHER. 3 FOOT FLAMES, MINOR BURNS AND INJURIES SUSTAINED ER VISIT FOR SMOKE INHALATION WHILE EXTINGUISHING FIRE. VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. A NEIGHBOR'S CAR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SIMILAR YEAR DID THE SAME THING A FEW WEEKS AGO.

NHTSA ID
11181640
Incident
Feb 16, 2019
Mileage
134,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2017

2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *SMD UPDATED 07/13/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10933549
Incident
Aug 6, 2013
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 20, 2017

I WENT TO A DEALERSHIP TO DEAL WITH A KEY IGNITION RECALL 2 MONTHS AGO. NOW MY CAR IS STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHICH NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THE RECALL..

NHTSA ID
10990718
Incident
May 20, 2017
Mileage
175,089 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed May 1, 2017
Fire reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF HER VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING OFF THE ROADWAY THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND ALL POWER WAS LOST. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE FOUND. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR A KEY FOB, BUT NOT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V70100 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR ELEVATED CARBON MONOXIDE IN THE BLOOD AND POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE RECALL DETAILS FOR THE KEY FOB WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. UPDATED 06/28/17*LJ UPDATED 9/28/18*JB

NHTSA ID
10981679
Incident
Apr 9, 2017
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2017
Fire reported

INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLOSION RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO NEARBY VEHICLE. ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE ONE CRANK FOLLOWED BY LOUD EXPLOSION FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD BEEN BLOWN APART INTO 15 - 20 PIECES. A SMALL FIRE ERUPTED. WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE QUICKLY ONE PIECE OF THE DESTROYED MANIFOLD HIT A NEARBY VEHICLE RESULTING IN PAINT DAMAGE.

NHTSA ID
10978676
Incident
Apr 11, 2017
Mileage
155,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 14, 2016

IN LATE 2015, AND AGAIN IN JANUARY 2016, WE RECEIVED NOTICE FROM GM THAT THE FOLLOWING RECALL APPLIED TO OUR VEHICLE: NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 15V701, MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: N150757 THIS IS A RECALL TO REMEDY LEAKING VALVE COVER GASKETS. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER FROM WHOM WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND WERE INFORMED THAT "PARTS ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER." WE HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER REPEATEDLY SINCE THEN, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD EACH TIME THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER, AND THAT WE WOULD BE CONTACTED WHEN THEY WERE IN STOCK. THE LAST SUCH CALL WAS 7/29/2016. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER. THIS MIGHT BE UNDERSTANDABLE IF THE RECALL INVOLVED PRECISION PARTS SUCH AS AIRBAGS, OR COMPLEX ASSEMBLIES SUCH AS A TRANSMISSION. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. IT'S A VALVE COVER (PLASTIC MOLDED) AND GASKET FOR THE MOST POPULAR ENGINE GM EVER MADE - POSSIBLY THE MOST POPULAR ENGINE IN HISTORY. WE SUSPECT THAT EITHER THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER IS RELUCTANT TO INVEST THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TIME IN THIS LOW-VALUE, LOW-PROFILE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10906728
Incident
Jul 29, 2016
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 17, 2016

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE TEMP GAUGE DROPPEF TO ZERO, AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED WORKING, AND CAR BEGAN TO STRUGGLE. I PULLED THE CAR OFF THE HIGHWAY TO SEE IF WAS DUMPING COOLANT PUT. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP AND HE NEW WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE CARS COME IN WITH THE PROBLEM. I HAD TO HAVE THE TIMING COVER REPLACED AND THE ECT SENSOR. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS HAPPENS OFTEN AS GM CARS HAVE THESE ISSUES. WAS ALSO TOLD IT LOOKED AS IF THE CAR OVERHEATED AND WAS LUCKY IT DIDN'T BLOW UP ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10896572
Incident
Aug 5, 2016
Mileage
180,453 mi
AirbagsElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Jul 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE AND FUEL GAUGES DISPLAYED INCORRECT READINGS. IN ADDITION, THE LOW COOLANT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS COOLANT IN THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. UPDATED 09/20/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IF THE VEHICLE SAT FOR TWO DAYS, THE BATTERY WAS DRAIN AND DIE. HIS MECHANIC STATED IT WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. ALSO ,THE REAR DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK, THE FAN SWITCH DID NOT WORK RIGHT AWAY, AND THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT DID NOT WORK UNLESS HE TAPPED THE DASHBOARD, AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED HARD. UPDATED 10/13/16. *JB

NHTSA ID
10887671
Incident
Apr 6, 2016
Mileage
163,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 12, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID
10884193
Incident
Dec 12, 2015
Engine
Filed Jul 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, A CLANKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE RECALL REPAIR SPOT. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED OIL AND COOLANT SPEWING AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,536.

NHTSA ID
10883684
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Mileage
112,536 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE MANIFOLD AND UNDER THE HOOD, WHICH PENETRATED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SMOKE WAS NOT DUE TO THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
10881672
Incident
Jun 24, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 10, 2016

2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR FRONT VALVE COVER AND GASKET RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 15V701000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10863894
Incident
Feb 16, 2016
Engine
Filed May 6, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 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 MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10863666
Incident
Oct 26, 2015
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 27, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLODING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND REALIZED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ID
10861648
Incident
Apr 16, 2016
Mileage
98,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 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 NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10860949
Incident
Oct 30, 2015
Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 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
10852163
Incident
Mar 22, 2016
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE EXPELLED FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT FOR TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10850839
Incident
Dec 15, 2015
Engine
Filed Mar 16, 2016
Fire reported

UPPER INTAKE EXPLOSION ON THE 3800 SERIES II ENGINE. TRY TO START CAR. IT TURNED OVER TWICE AND EXPLODE CATCHING FIRE. CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
10850038
Incident
Feb 16, 2016
Mileage
222,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND LEAKING OIL AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

NHTSA ID
10849796
Incident
Mar 2, 2016
Mileage
129,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE POWER STEERING FLUID, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE REAR VALVE MOUNT WAS LEAKING MOTOR OIL INTO THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VALVE COVER FOR THE REAR INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDES THE FRONT INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10846406
Incident
Nov 12, 2001
Mileage
40,000 mi

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .