RoadVitals

2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
113
Latest May 22, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jun 23, 2014
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
11
15 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 113 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most frequently naming the electrical, steering and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 772 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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

2 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.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Jun 23, 2014
3,141,731 units potentially affected
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne, 2000-2005 Cadillac DeVille, 2006-2011 Cadillac DTS, 2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala, and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, and power braking, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), and 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). GM's number for this recall is 14299.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 14299View on NHTSA.gov

STEERING

Feb 17, 2009
979 units potentially affected
The defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
The risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
DORMAN PRODUCTS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE09025ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS - FIRES

Opened May 13, 2009
Closed Oct 2, 2009

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER OF 2006 TO ADDRESS A FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE AND/OR CLAMPS THAT COULD OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED IN VEHICLES PRIMARILY OPERATED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES THAT EXPERIENCE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES:ALASKA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN AND WYOMING.AT THE TIME THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE) WAS OPENED, ONLY 1 OF THE 33 COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) WAS FROM A STATE COVERED BY THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST SENT BY THE ODI, GM PROVIDED INFORMATION THAT INCLUDED 6 ALLEGED FIRES AND 1 ALLEGED MINOR CRASH POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. ONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRES IS A DUPLICATE OF A REPORT RECEIVED BY ODI.OF THE FIRE INCIDENTS, 2 OF THE 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTER THE REMEDY DETAILED IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WAS PERFORMED.ONE OF THE VEHICLES WAS TOTALED AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT.IT IS UNDETERMINED WHETHER THE INCIDENTS WERE RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT OR WERE A BY PRODUCT OF THE REPAIR.OF THE OTHER FOUR ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS, 1 INCIDENT INVOLVED SMOKE ONLY AND NO VISIBLE FLAMES.BASED ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED, THE REMAINING 3 FIRE INCIDENTS WERE LOCALIZED EVENTS THAT PRIMARILY INVOLVED DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING COMPONENTS AND SURROUNDING WIRING.ALL 3 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED.NONE OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNATTENDED.ODI IS AWARE OF 1 ADDITIONAL ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENT THAT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN GM'S INFORMATION REQUEST RESPONSE.BASED ON THE CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE INCIDENT, THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED BY A FRIEND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP.IN TOTAL ODI IS AWARE OF 6 ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS WHERE THE CONSUMER ALLEGED FLAMES WERE VISIBLE.ALL OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ATTENDED. ODI IS AWARE 1 MINOR CRASH ALLEGED TO BE RELATED TO A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK.THE CONSUMER ALLEGED A MINOR CRASH OCCURRED AS THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HAD DIFFICULTY NEGOTIATING THE TURN DUE TO EXPERIENCING HIGH POWER STEERING EFFORTS AND STRUCK A SNOW BANK.IN A LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2009, GM INFORMED ODI THAT A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL COMMENCE IN DECEMBER OF 2009 FOR THE ENTIRE US. AS A REMEDY THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR VEHICLES WITH V8 ENGINES AND THE POWER STEERING RETURN HOSE AND CLAMPS FOR VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WILL BE REPLACED WITH UPGRADED COMPONENTS.BASED ON THE LOW FREQUENCIES AND MINOR SEVERITIES OF THE ALLEGED FIRE INCIDENTS AND CRASH,NO SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.GM'S EXPANDED CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE FREE REPAIRS TO VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed May 22, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle; however, the failure returned soon after restart. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11590196
Incident
Feb 1, 2024
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 27, 2022

These issues have been spotadic since I aquired the vehicle in october of 2021. Not infrequently the ABS system feels like it is trying to engage at low speeds with light braking such as in a parking lot. This also happens after coasting(no gas, no brake no cruise control))and then accelerating The radio will randomly stop playing or begin playing. The turn signal indicator chimes randomly stop chiming when the turn signal is in use though the interioir indicator light will flash normally. I have not been able to stop when this occurs with the turn signal still active to get out and verify it the turn signal is actually working At random times a loud clacking sound will come from behind the dash in the general vicinity of the radio and there will be no out put from the dash vents until the clacking stops. The use of any controls whether radio or climate does not seem to cause this nor will it stop it. Actuator doorb and/or solenoid perhaps?

NHTSA ID
11458512
Incident
Feb 22, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 8, 2020

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT FLASHES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. IT LOSES POWER AND GAUGES DROP AS IF THE CAR SHUT DOWN. WILL DO THIS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327836
Incident
Jun 8, 2020
Mileage
135,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance
Filed Nov 28, 2019
Crash reported4 injuries reported1 death reported

CAR MALFUNCTION MY PASSENGER WHO WAS MY BABYMAMMA PASAED AWAY

NHTSA ID
11282774
Incident
Sep 3, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 25, 2018

PAINT PEELING IN WHEEL WELLS

NHTSA ID
11122330
Incident
Oct 5, 2014
Mileage
10,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V355000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BY WHALEN CHEVROLET INC. (1258 NY-29, GREENWICH, NY 12834, (518) 692-2241). HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT REMEDY. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE INSTANCES WHEN THE KEY HAD TO BE MANEUVERED BACK AND FORTH IN ORDER TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES FLICKERING AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11118244
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
25,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 9, 2018

THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER NO LONGER WORKED. THE REASON BEING THAT THE REAR DEFROSTER WIRING HAD BURNED AT THE CONNECTOR BLOCK. CONNECTOR BLOCK IS LOCATED BEHIND THE PASSENGERS SIDE KICK PANEL. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE VIDEOS ON THE INTERNET SHOWING HOW TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM SO IT MUST HAPPEN FREQUENTLY! YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE BURN OCCURED IN THE ATTACHED PHOTO. I REPAIRED THIS ON 3/9/2018, HOWEVER, IT HAPPENED AT LEAST TWO YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ID
11078398
Incident
Mar 9, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 30, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE ILLUMINATED AFTER THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE IGNITION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONCORD CHEVROLET (1330 CONCORD AVE, CONCORD, CA 94520 (925) 682-6400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11051467
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

PIT5074Q

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel.

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

Chevrolet Monte Carlo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010200
2008200
2007422048.3
2006Viewing1132152.3
20051204047.3
20042307053.4
20031589058.0
20022307160.2
20012768160.6
20002338161.9
19991255156.0
19981005464.7
19971643459.3
19961553560.1
19951695160.3
1994000
1991113
1990012
1989001
1988322
1987532
1986643
1985424
1984331
1983120
1982221
1981221
1980041
1979051
1978081
1977030
1976040
1975020
1974130
1973010
1970010

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.