Chevrolet Monte Carlo Engine Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 13, 2026 · 197 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo across 11 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (48). The words owners use most often: “engine cooling” (32% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Engine cooling: mentioned in 64 of 197 complaints (32%)
  • Caught fire: mentioned in 20 of 197 complaints (10%)
  • Valve cover: mentioned in 14 of 197 complaints (7%)
  • Department extinguished: mentioned in 11 of 197 complaints (6%)

At what mileage do engine problems happen?

Based on 133 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles2 · 2%
10k–25k miles1 · 1%
25k–50k miles9 · 7%
50k–75k miles10 · 8%
75k–100k miles18 · 14%
100k–150k miles50 · 38%
150k+ miles43 · 32%

How serious are the reports?

Of 197 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 72 a fire, 11 an injury.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine complaints by model year

Peak: 2001, with 48 complaints
1996: 1199611998: 6199861999: 9199992000: 282000282001: 482001482002: 382002382003: 322003322004: 232004232005: 4200542006: 6200662007: 220072

n = 197 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearEngine complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2007 Monte Carlo25%38,200
2006 Monte Carlo65%72,141
2005 Monte Carlo43%107,700
2004 Monte Carlo2310%119,295
2003 Monte Carlo3220%123,928
2002 Monte Carlo3817%127,000
2001 Monte Carlo4817%123,000
2000 Monte Carlo2812%127,500
1999 Monte Carlo97%125,000
1998 Monte Carlo66%180,000
1996 Monte Carlo11%50,000

When owners reported it

Peak: 2016, with 68 complaints
2012: 7201272013: 122013122014: 322014322015: 382015382016: 682016682017: 122017122018: 6201862019: 9201992020: 5202052021: 4202142022: 1202212023: 1202312025: 1202512026: 120261

n = 197 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (3)

Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe; engine and engine cooling:engineOct 26, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles

Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

Problem: 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.

Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Fix: 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 engine’s 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.

Engine and engine cooling:engineApr 6, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V201000 · 330,742 vehicles

Model years: 2004

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.

Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.

Engine and engine coolingApr 8, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s 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.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

I keep rewriting this because for some reason it keeps timing out everytime I look for the video to attach. I brought the car to taska twice for underhood fire and ignition. No head gasket got fixed no spark plugs there is several issues water keeps getting in tires are rotted electrical problems…

Received Apr 13, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11730812

I took my car into Freeland Chevrolet for the recall my car was running great,when i picked it up it was idling rough and smoking on my way home it was stalling out at every stop causing me to loose control of power steering and braking creating a safty haszard called them the next day and told…

Received Dec 13, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11704820

The service manager told me the Engine cover will be removed and NOT replaced. This downgrades the vehicle as the engine cover is part of the appearance element and gives a certain amount of protection to some components and wiring harnesses. It will soon be a Classic and the engine cover is part…

Received Dec 10, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11559383

Engine, fire under hood. Have contacted dealer & GM, they said there is nothing they can do about it. Faulty replaced parts by dealer.

Received May 1, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11462937

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a burning odor blowing through the air vents into the cabin of the vehicle. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the oil gauge increased to high. Additionally, the engine overheated. The…

Received Dec 10, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11443389
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Click here for more car pictures at my Flickr site. O'Reilly Auto Parts Street Machine Summer Nationals Minnesota State Fairgrounds St. Paul, Minnesota July 201. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Chevrolet Monte Carlos have engine problems?

No. NHTSA has 197 owner complaints about engine for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.

Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine?

Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.

What do owners say about engine problems on the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling”, in 64 of 197 complaints, followed by “caught fire” (20).

Other Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

See all Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems.