2001 Chevrolet MONTE CARLO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
276 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
75,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 164 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 59 of 276 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 47 | 17.0% |
| Braking behavior | 35 | 12.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 29 | 10.5% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 5.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 59 |
| Engine | 48 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 |
| Steering | 18 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 10 |
Electrical System: 59; Engine: 48; Engine And Engine Cooling: 18; Steering: 18; Air Bags: 17; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 29 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 27 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 31 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 21 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 29; 50,000 to 74,999: 27; 75,000 to 99,999: 31; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 21
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (36). 112 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 25 |
| 2003 | 29 |
| 2004 | 30 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 9 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 7 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 18 |
| 2015 | 15 |
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2000: 2; 2001: 15; 2002: 25; 2003: 29; 2004: 30; 2005: 18; 2006: 17; 2007: 4; 2008: 12; 2009: 22; 2010: 9; 2011: 8; 2012: 7; 2013: 6; 2014: 18; 2015: 15; 2016: 24; 2017: 7; 2019: 6; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 47 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 35 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 29 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001551 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER GETS STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE IDOL HIGH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001552 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER GETS STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE IDOL HIGH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003382 · 2003-01-25 (January 25, 2003)
I TOOK MY MONTE CARLO IN AT 25,000 MILES FOR BAD STEERING WHEEL VIBRATIONS WHEN BRAKING AND BRAKES NOT HOLDING IN DAMP WEATHER (EITHER RAIN OR CAR WASH). THE SERVICE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THAT WHOEVER ROTATED MY TIRES USED THE WRONG TORQUE WHEN PUTTING THE WHEELS BACK ON. HE SAID THAT MESSED UP MY ROTORS. I TOLD HIM THAT I HAD NEVER ROTATED MY TIRES. HE SAID THAT MY WARRANTY WOULDN'T BE HONORED BECAUSE I HAD NOT ROTATED MY TIRES. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER CHEV DEALER AND HE SAID THAT BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS NOT UNUSUAL TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004970 · 2003-01-30 (January 30, 2003)
I OWN A 01 MONTE CARLO AND 40,000 MILES I STARTED GETTING AN ANTI-FREEZE LEAK. MY DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME IT WAS A LEAK IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THEY SEE 2-3 MONTE CARLO'S A MONTH IN WITH THIS PROBLEM AND 5-6 MALIBU'S AND LUMINA'S WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY WANT $600 TO FIX SINCE IT IS PAST THE WARRENTY. IF CHEVY KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM THEY SHOULD FIX IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD I NEED IS ON A 2 MONTH BACK ORDER DUE TO SO MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 1/2 YEARS.
Owner-reported narrative. 39,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005218 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
ACCIDENT CONTRIBUTED TO DRIVING IN SLUSH AND HYDROPLANING DUE TO LOW PROFILE WIDE TIRES 2001 MONTE CARLO WITH 36,045 MILES. MAN WHO TOWED MINE SAID HE HAS TOWED 6 MONTE CARLOS IN 4 DAYS
Owner-reported narrative. 36,045 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005218 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005742 · 2003-02-12 (February 12, 2003)
I DRIVE A 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS REPLACED TWICE AND A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB DONE ALL BEFORE MY FACTORY WARRANTY IS UP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT ROTORS ARE A WEARABLE ITEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL BE A CONTINUAL PROBLEM WITH REPEAT TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE PART AND IT'S CONTINUAL USE AS A REPLACEMENT PART. 90% OF MY DRIVING IS INTERSTATE DRIVING AND THE FEAR OF BRAKING IRREGULARITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS IS FRIGHTENING TO ME. SOMETHING NEEDS TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 17,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007938 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
THE 2001 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO I PURCHASED IN FEBRUARY, 2001 HAS HAD SERIOUS AND NUMEROUS DEFECTS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR TWO YEARS AGO. THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE, CALIPHERS, AND BREAKS HAVE EACH BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AT LEAST TWICE. ON FEB.15, 2003, THE KEY GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION OF THE CAR, AND BECAUSE THE CAR WAS THEN OUT OF WARRANTY, I WAS FORCED TO PAY $406.00 FOR A REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. ON FEBRUARY 20TH, 2003, THE CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL AND THE TRANSMISSION "JUMPS" FROM THE PARKING GEAR INTO DRIVE WHENEVER IT IS TURNED ON. I A…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008049 · 2003-02-24 (February 24, 2003)
HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY ROTORS TURNED AND THEN REPLACED IN UNDER 40,000 MILES. NOW AT 56,000- I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. DEALER PAID FOR TURNING THE FIRST TIME. WHEN THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED- WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. I WENT DIRECTLY TO CHEVY WHO REFUSED (THEY WERE ALSO EXTREMELY RUDE AND UNPROFESSIONAL, DID NOT RESPOND TO MESSAGES AND REFUSED TO LET ME SPEAK TO A MANAGER!) TO REPLACE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008049 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V228003 · Seat Belts
Reported: 2000-08-07 (August 7, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, AND MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH TRW SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES. THE BUCKLE BASE OF THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED AND THEREFORE DO NOT PASS THE LOAD BEARING REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY DATE CODES AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE ANY SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗00V244000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2000-08-29 (August 29, 2000)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULES (SDM) COULD EXPERIENCE A MEMORY ERROR RESULTING IN THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING IN A CRASH SITUATION.
Consequence: IN A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SERIOUS INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SENSING AND DIAGNOSTIC MODULE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V116000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2009-04-08 (April 8, 2009)
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V400000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-07-03 (July 3, 2014)
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) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: 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.
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 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
NHTSA campaign record ↗