2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Fuel system Problems

My car has the engine 3.1 L automatic. On January 4, I was going to go run errands so I went out to my car and cranked it to start the engine but instead, I heard a loud explosion, causing the front tires of the car to go up in the air and then land back on the ground. Smoke started coming out from the hood and a fire almost got started. I was scared to half to death causing me to almost have a heart attack. Morning inspection, I found that the intake manifold had exploded on the car and pieces of it were all over the engine. I feel that the pressure regulator may have been the culprit, but the plastic upper intake just literally blew up. Nobody was injured neighbors came out to see what the explosion had been, the window on my windshield cracked and major damage has been done to the Plenum. I have pictures but I’ve been unable to upload them but they are available. If you need them I went to Mission Chevrolet where I purchased the car but was referred to contact you in general. no recalls sent over this issue, but have I been driving when the explosion occurred it may have caused fatalities to myself, and perhaps other drivers on the freeway.

NHTSA ID

11564051

Incident

Jan 4, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT APPLE VALLEY CHEVROLET (650 FOXCROFT AVE, MARTINSBURG, WV 25401) FOR A FUEL CONTROL SENSOR REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER IT WAS SERVICED AT THE DEALER THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS TRYING TO START IT UP. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH A HOSE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11407573

Incident

Apr 8, 2021

Mileage

96,000 mi

STARTED CAR AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND THEN SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND INTAKE COVER AND HARNESS ON FIRE

NHTSA ID

11318928

Incident

Mar 12, 2020

Mileage

126,000 mi

THE CAR'S FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER WHEN I STARTED IT SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY SINCE IT SAID MY OLD ONE WAS BAD, BUT IT'S STILL NOT WORKING. THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ON AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY AND IF THIS IS AFFECTING IT FROM TURNING ON

NHTSA ID

11207045

Incident

May 11, 2019

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FLAMES UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED DUE TO A FUEL LEAK. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THERE WERE NO LEAKS PRESENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FIRE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT A CASE MANAGER WOULD BE ASSIGNED TO THE CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000.

NHTSA ID

11001693

Incident

Jun 13, 2017

Mileage

32,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A STRONG BURNING FUEL ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 193,000.

NHTSA ID

10855363

Incident

Apr 13, 2015

Mileage

193,000 mi

WENT TO START CAR ONE DAY. TURNED KEY AND HEARD LOUD POP. RUSHED TO LIFT GOOD AND TOP OF MOTOR ON FIRE. LUCKILY HAD EXTINGUISHER RIGHT INSIDE GARAGE DOOR AND IMMEDIATELY EXTINGUISHED. PLASTIC INTAKE COVER WAS BLOWN APART IN MULTIPLE PIECES. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OF THIS SAME INCIDENT, SOMEWHERE CLAIMING THAT IT COMES FROM A FAULTY FUEL SHIFT OF VALVE OR SOMETHING. IF YOU NOTICE WITH LOW MILES, THIS CAR IS BARELY DRIVEN AND ALWAYS BABIED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10763394

Incident

Aug 14, 2013

Mileage

44,143 mi

I HAVE A 2002 CHEVY MONTE CARLO SS AND I AM HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T ALWAYS FUNCTION PROPERLY NEITHER DO THE TURNING SIGNALS MY SEATS WILL MOVE ON THERE OWN ,THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DOORS ONCE KEYS ARE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION ALSO I HAVE A PROBLEM WHEN PUMPING GAS INTO THE CAR THE PUMP KEEPS SHUTTING OFF UNLESS I HOLD IT AT A CERTAIN ANGLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10574100

Incident

Feb 27, 2014

Mileage

119,450 mi

WENT OUT TO START CAR. TURNED ON KEY, SET RADIO. THEN TURNED KEY TO START ENGINE WITH A RESULTING LOUD EXPLOSION FROM UNDER HOOD. IN HURRY TO GET UP HOOD AND EXTINGUISH FIRE EXPERIENCED BURNS ON HANDS FROM LIFTING HOOD AND A FUEL LINE THAT WAS SQUIRTING FUEL/FLAMES. FIRE EXTINGUISHER EXTINGUISHED FLAMES. UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD IS BLOW APART WITH MULTIPLE SENSORS DESTROYED. THANK GOD THIS HAPPENED AT HOME WITH AN EXTINGUISHER HANDY AND NOT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO TIME TO SLOW DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10562438

Incident

Jan 31, 2014

Mileage

45,513 mi

I STARTED THE CAR UP AND I HEARD A POP AND SAW A BLUE FLAME. AFTER REPAIRING THE CAR COSTING $3240.74 IT ONCE AGAIN CAUGHT ANOTHER FIRE PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID

10515289

Incident

Feb 8, 2011

Mileage

150,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING AND MY GAS NEEDLE STARTED GOING UP AND DOWN. NOW IT DON'T WORK . IF I PUT $5 OF GAS IN IT GO TO FULL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10488046

Incident

Dec 2, 2012

Mileage

150,000 mi

3 NEW FUEL PUMP RAILS INSTALLED FROM RECALL ( GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK). THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, THE GAUGE WORKS FOR A SMALL AMOUNT OF TIME AFTER NEW FUEL RAIL IS INSTALLED, THEN FAILS, LEAVING NO WAY TO CHECK THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEFT IN THE TANK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10357096

Incident

Jul 30, 2005

GAS GAUGE ALL OF A SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING AND I RAN OUT OF GAS! *TR

NHTSA ID

10354375

Incident

Sep 2, 2010

Mileage

133,153 mi

MY 2002 CHEVY MONTECARLO SS THE GAS GAUGE IS VERY ERRATIC IT SHOWS YOU HAVING A FULL TANK OF A GAS WHEN YOU DON'T IT BOUNCES BACK AND FORTH LIKE THIS NO MATTER IF IT'S FULL OR NOT VERY FRUSTRATING TO KNOW WHEN TO FILL UP... *TR

NHTSA ID

10352510

Incident

Oct 23, 2006

Mileage

100,000 mi

2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO WITH ABS AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS**CC THE TRACTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 2 MONTHS AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD GEAR. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS LUBRICATED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE EBCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WITHOUT THE REPLACEMENT, THE ABS WOULD NOT WORK SO THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. THE WATER PUMP AND INTAKE GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE THEM LEAKING. THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING STUCK OPEN. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER SEALED THE REAR WHEELS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10182677

Incident

May 16, 2002

TL *- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. ON FEBRUARY 3, 2007 THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THEN TURNED IT OFF QUICKLY AFTER REALIZING SHE HAD FORGOTTEN SOMETHING IN HER HOME. THE CONTACT WENT BACK INSIDE THE HOME, THEN RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME AND HEARD AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE LOUD ENOUGH THAT THE NEIGHBORS CAME AND OFFERED ASSISTANCE. WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OPENED THE HOOD AND WITNESSED A FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE RIZZA CHEVROLET 8200 SOUTH HARLEM AVE, BRIDGEVIEW IL 60455, TEL 708-594-9090 FOR SERVICE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC #71-478219613, AND WAS TOLD TO WAIT 48 HOURS FOR AN AGENT TO BE ASSIGNED TO THE CASE. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2000 MONTE CARLO MODELS FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE FAILURE MAYBE RELATED TO RECALL 04V0900000 UPDATED 02/27/07. *JB

NHTSA ID

10181715

Incident

Feb 3, 2007

Mileage

50,000 mi

THE DRIVER INFORMATION CENTER-FUEL USED IS ALWAYS OFF AT LEAST 1.5 GALLONS WHEN FILLING THE TANK. THIS IN TURN CAUSES THE MILES PER GALLON TO ALSO BE OFF. ONE DEALER MECHANIC SAID THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE UNIT. BUT MY DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. WHEN ON A TRIP, MY BROTHERS TWO CADILLACS BOTH READ CORRECT FUEL USED. THE GM 800 HELP LINE NEVER RETURNS MY CALLS. *LA

NHTSA ID

10047068

Incident

Jun 10, 2002

Mileage

3,000 mi

THESE ISSUES LISTED BELOW ARE TROUBLES I HAVE HAD WITH MY 2002 MONTE CARLO BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW 4/15/02 AND 21/02, FRONT BUMPER PAINT BEGAN TO PEEL. BUMPER REPAINTED./5/02 REAR SPEAKERS BEGIN TO CRACKLE AND QUIT WORKING. REPLACED./30/03 TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET GARAGE DUE TO VEHICLE PULSATING WHEN STOPPING AND THE CAR HAVING TROUBLE STARTING. FRONT AND REAR ROTORS FOUND WARPED AND RESURFACED. CARS FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FOUND TO BE LEAKING DOWN AND WAS REPLACED. 8/21/03 CAR PULSATING AGAIN WHEN STOPPING. RETURNED VECHICLE TO CHEVY GARAGE. FOUND REAR ROTORS RUSTED AGAIN AND REPLACED REAR ROTORS. WAS TOLD TIRES WERE CUPPING IN REAR. ROTATED TIRES ON 8/22/03 AND FOUND SCORE MARK ON REAR DRIVERS SIDE ROTOR. 8/22/03 RETURNED VEHICLE TO CHEVY GARAGE SHOWED SERVICE MANAGER THE DEFECT AND WAS TOLD THE PART WOULD NOT BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME EEVN THOUGH ROTOR WAS SCORED. S.MGR STATED THIS WAS NORMAL CONDITION DUE TO BRAKE PAD METALLIC LINING. 8/24/03 CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT ISSUE. ASKED TO HAVE NEW ROTORS AND BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE. RESPONSE WAS "GM IS AWARE OF ISSUES WITH OUR BRAKES AND ROTORS, BUT IF THERE IS NO DEFECT THE PART WOULD NOT BE REPLACED." I RESTATED ABOUT THE SCORE MARK ON THE NEW ROTOR AND WAS TOLD SORRY NOTHING THEY COULD DO AT THIS POINT. 9/2/03 WHILE OIL WAS BEING CHANGED TWO BOLTS WHERE NOTICED MISSING FROM THE TRANSMISSION PAN. WILL BE SERVICED ON 9/4/03 REPAIR PENDING. 9/3/03 VEHICLE HAVING TROUBLE STARTING AGAIN. ENGINE HESITATES FOR 10-20 SEC. WILL BE ADDRESSED ON 9/4/03 THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 24,000 MILES ON IT. I NEED NEW BRAKE PADS AND NEW ROTORS DUE TO DEFECTS IN PARTS. VEHICLE HAS 7YR/100,000 MILE WARRANTY. DO I HAVE A LEMON?

NHTSA ID

10037176

Incident

Sep 3, 2003