2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine6822.7%
- Electrical5217.3%
- Brakes3712.3%
- Exterior lighting3311.0%
- Airbags206.7%
- Steering186.0%
- Fuel system186.0%
- Body & structure82.7%
- Other / unspecified82.7%
- Visibility72.3%
- Interior & seats62.0%
- Powertrain (other)51.7%
- Driver assistance51.7%
- Seat belts41.3%
- Tires & wheels41.3%
- Suspension31.0%
- Transmission20.7%
- Heating & air conditioning20.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTED CAR AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND THEN SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND INTAKE COVER AND HARNESS ON FIRE
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL RESET WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE GUAGES WILL SWEEP AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL DING AS IF IT WAS JUST STARTED HOWEVER THE CAR NEVER STALLS AND THE RADIO STAYS ON ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.
WAS GOING ABOUT 55-60 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY RPMS STARTED TO DROP AND I LET OFF GAS AND IT JUST DIED. IT CRANKS AND TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT FIRE
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT CAR ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES IT IS SITTING OUTSIDE BUT ON BLACKTOP IN OUR DRIVE WAY. WE WENT TO USE IT AND THE DASH LIT LIKE MAD CHECKED BRAKE FLUID IT WAS LOW DROVE IT AND ALMOST DID,NT MAKE IT HOME WITH BRAKES.
ABS LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ARE CONSTANTLY ON..,SINCE IVE OWNED IT
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK AND HEADLIGHTS GO OFF WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE OR LOCAL ROADS. SOMETIMES THE HEADLIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON IN A FEW SECONDS, OTHER TIMES IT TAKES AS LONG AS THIRTY SECONDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LAMP LENSES HAD BEEN OXIDIZED AND THAT THERE WAS A FILM BUILD UP WHICH AFFECTED THE VISIBILITY OF THE LOW BEAMS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION CAUSING THE LIGHTING TO BE DIM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY LESS ENTRY FUNCTION FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE THE OWNERS MANUAL TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM BY EITHER DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLE OR RESETTING THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS LIGHT TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ARE CONSTANTLY ON..,SINCE IVE OWNED IT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE FLOORMAT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO FUNCTION ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 08E063000 (STEERING) AND 09E005000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
I WAS DRIVING (WITH MY CHILDREN IN CAR) AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD NO POWER BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. LUCKILY, ONE CHILD WAS IN DRIVERS ED & KNEW TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL & WE COASTED TO A STOP. ONCE I CALMED DOWN, I DROVE MY MONTE SS TO THE DEALER AND DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED. THE KEPT CAR FOR A WEEK AND INSISTED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG! I DRIVE 1-3 HRS FOR WORK DAILY AND I DIDN'T TRUST THE VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE. I PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE 6 DAYS LATER BUT GAVE THIS CAR TO MY CHILD FOR IN TOWN DRIVING. I WAS NEVER THE WISER UNTIL I HEARD ABOUT THE RECALL YESTERDAY & IT'S DESCRIPTION. THE MONTE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN RECALL TOO. I WAS PREPARING TO PURCHASE A NEW IMPALA BUT NOW I BELIEVE GM IS STILL NOT BEING HONEST ABOUT ALL THE MAKES & MODELS INVOLVED WITH IGNITION PROBLEMS. *TR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE FLOORMAT BECAME STUCK UNDER THE PEDAL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BOULDER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FLOOR MATS, WHICH HAD BECOME STUCK OVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AND REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *TR UPDATED 07/09/13*LJ UPDATED 07/15/2013 *JS
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE ABS WIRING FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ
CAR PART RECALLED. GOT NOTICE IN JULY 09. CAR CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF PART IN SEP 09. 2002 MONTE CARLO. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT! PART WAS JUST RECALLED THIS YEAR. THEY JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE. DENIED CLAIM. 9 MO OLD AND 3 YR OLD IN CAR WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE ON EXPRESSWAY. *TR
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WINDOW REGULATOR HAS GONE OUT THREE TIMES ON TWO WINDOWS. 2008, 2010, 2014. THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS A BAD DESIGN AND CABLE JUMPS TRACK AT THE LEAST OF BIT JARRING. THIS IS A SCARY THING TO HAPPEN AS WHEN THE WINDOW FALLS IT IS A LOUD POPPING SOUND. TWICE WINDOW FELL DOWN AT CAR WASH. ONCE TRAVELING 55 MILES AN HOUR. THOUGHT SOMEONE SHOT AT THE CAR. IF WINDOW FALLS WHILE NO ONE IS AROUND THEFT COULD OCCUR OR IF RAINING IT WILL SOAK YOUR CAR. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE HOW THESE WINDOW REGULATORS ARE MADE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SAFE. TALKED TO PERSON WHO INSTALLED THEM AND HE HAD TWO REGULATORS GO OUT ON IS F150 FORD TRUCK AND HE REPORTED IT TOO. ALSO HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY MEMBER TOO TWO OF HIS REGULATORS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON HIS F150 TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY COMPLAINTS YOU RECEIVE BUT SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. THIS A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT AND I NOTED THAT THIS A MAJOR COMPLAINT TO YOUR SITE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK FAILED AND CAUSED THE DRIVERS DOOR TO REMAIN UNLOCKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 191,671.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAS GONE BACK AND FORTH WITH THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. FOUR YEARS AFTER THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN WARM FROM A STANDING STOP THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHUDDER UNDER HARD ACCELERATION . ALSO UP SHIFTS BECOME ERRATIC AND VERY HARSH.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN VERY ERRATICALLY. WHEN THE SPEEDO WOULD START BOUNCING IT WOULD DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. AT SOME POINTS IT WOULD BOUNCING UP AND DOWN BUT NOT COME BACK ABOVE 40 OR SO MPH. WHEN IT WOULD DO SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT AND REV WAY UP THEN THE NEEDLE WOULD COME BACK UP AND THE TYRANNY WOULD SHIFT BACK UP. I HAD THE NEEDLE GO TO 0 AND NOT COME BACK UP AT ALL AND WHEN SAT FOR A SECOND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD KICK COMPLETELY OUT AND I WOULD BE STUCK ON THE ROAD FOR A MINUTE. AFTER SITTING FOR A BIT I COULD MOVE BUT THE NEEDLE STAYED AT 0 AND THE TRANSMISSION ACTED TO BE STUCK IN 1ST. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABOUT OCTOBER 10TH, 2017 I WAS COMING UP ON A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT GO DOWN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MPH BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO BLAST THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND MISS EVERYONE, EVERYTHING!. RATTLED I GUESS I SHUT THE CAR OFF WHEN I REGAINED MY COMPOSER I STARTED THE CAR AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I DID NOT WANT TO BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED! I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING WRONG MAYBE HAD MY FOOT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL OR SOMETHING. HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR SINCE 2 WEEKS AGO WAS STRANDED IN A PARKING LOT, WOULD NOT START. HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME, TRIED TO START IT AND STARTED RIGHT UP. NOW SERVICE TRACK LIGHT IS ON AND ANTI LOCK BRAKES IS ON AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON SOMETIME AND THE CRUISE LIGHT IS ON. YESTERDAY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SAME THING NO BRAKES, YOU COULD NOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN IT IS AS IF THERE IS SOMETHING UNDER THE PEDAL IT'S THAT SOLID. MY CONCERN FOR MY OWN SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHER MONTE CARLO OWNERS IS MOST IMPORTANT. IF EITHER TIME WE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON A EXPRESSWAY WHERE WE COULD NOT TURN TO A SHOULDER THIS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC . CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED, ALSO HARBOR CHEVY IN MICHIGAN CITY, IN AND GATES CHEVY IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ALL SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. GOT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SIMILAR POSTS IN CAR COMPLAINTS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, SEEMS ODD GM DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. FOR EVERY ONES OWN SAFETY THIS SHOULD BE A REDUNDANT SYSTEM IN OLDER CARS YOU WOULD NOT LOSE ALL BRAKES. COULD UNDERSTAND IF YOU LOST ANTI LOCK PART BUT STILL COULD STOP. THIS HAS TO BE A OVERLOOKED FLAW IN DESIGN AND GM SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. IF SOMEONES BEEN KILLED BY THIS HOW COULD THEY TELL YOU THAT HE LOST HIS BRAKES? THANK YOU MIKE
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN VERY ERRATICALLY. WHEN THE SPEEDO WOULD START BOUNCING IT WOULD DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. AT SOME POINTS IT WOULD BOUNCING UP AND DOWN BUT NOT COME BACK ABOVE 40 OR SO MPH. WHEN IT WOULD DO SO THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT AND REV WAY UP THEN THE NEEDLE WOULD COME BACK UP AND THE TYRANNY WOULD SHIFT BACK UP. I HAD THE NEEDLE GO TO 0 AND NOT COME BACK UP AT ALL AND WHEN SAT FOR A SECOND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD KICK COMPLETELY OUT AND I WOULD BE STUCK ON THE ROAD FOR A MINUTE. AFTER SITTING FOR A BIT I COULD MOVE BUT THE NEEDLE STAYED AT 0 AND THE TRANSMISSION ACTED TO BE STUCK IN 1ST. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT SHE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. SHE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES ,AND NO CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THE ROTORS WERE BENT, AND BRAKES LEAK FLUID. THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND SHOOK TERRIBLY. THE AIR BAGS WERE FELL OUT OF THE DASHBOARD. THE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERMITTENTLY WORKED. THE DEALERSHIP INSISTED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE REGARDING THE LEMON LAWS. SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK, BUT THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IT HAD ONLY 10,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELT EQUIPMENT LOCKING TIGHT WHETHER ENGINE IS ON OR OFF. *MR THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED TO THE POINT THAT IT COULD NOT BE USED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE OFF OR ON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS PUZZLED AS TO WHY THE BELT WAS LOCKING AND THE FACT THAT THEY COULD NOT GET IT UNLOCKED. THE DEALER NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE SEAT BELT FOUR TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TS *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED TWO CLASSIC P225/60R16 TIRES DESIGN # 8938N ABOUT 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO. THEY STILL ARE LIKE NEW. THEY BOTH ARE STARTING TO HAVE CRACKS IN THE RUBBER AROUND THE RIM. LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE DRY ROTTING. THEY WERE PLACED ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT 29K MILES, WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL CONSUMER DETECTED A SQUEALING SOUND THAT HE THOUGHT COULD BE CAUSED BY THE FRONT TIRES. (NAR) *PH CLOCK SPRING BROKEN. *CB
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXTREMELY HARD. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A LEMON OF A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR. STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS, COST $200.00 TO FIX, CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, COVERED BY WARRANTY THANK GOD. TODAY IT IS IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR LEAKY GASKET AND WHEEL BEARING/ HUB REPLACEMENT WHICH IS COSTING ANOTHER $500.00. THIS WAS BAD BECAUSE THE ABS BREAKS DIDN'T ALWAYS WORK WHICH WAS SCARY SINCE I WONDERED WHEN THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE OUT TOTALLY AND I WOULD BE IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH COST US ANOTHER $700.00. IS THERE ANY HELP FOR US? I WONDER WHAT WILL BE NEXT WITH THIS CAR, IT IS A NICE LOOKING CAR, BUT IT SUCKS MECHANICALLY!! PLEASE HELP! ANY SUGGESTIONS? *TR
WHILE STOPPING ON AN INCLINE, AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, VEHICLE WILL ROLL BACKWARDS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED.*AK. VEHICLE ROLLS WHILE IN DRIVE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ALL VEHICLES DO THAT. *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS COUPE AT 40 MPH, SHE TURNED THE SEAT WARMER ON AND THE SEAT GOT HOTTER THAN USUAL VERY QUICKLY. THE CONTACT TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF, THEN PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND NOTICED A BLACK MELTED SPOT ON THE LOWER BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN HOME. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAD A WIRE REPLACED ON THE SEATS IN THE PAST. UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB
FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT HEATER WILL NOT SHUT OFF, EVEN IF VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING. CONSOLE MODULE WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP, BUT HEATER ENGAGED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE SYSTEM FAILED, RESULTING IN AN INTERIOR FIRE.*AK *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .