Chevrolet / Monte Carlo / 1997

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

Owners have filed 218 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 16.5% of them, narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 13.8%.

Complaints218

Crashes17

Fires3

Injuries13

Deaths0

What owners report breaking

Service brakes, hydraulic 16.5% · 36

Engine and engine cooling 13.8% · 30

Steering 13.8% · 30

Electrical system 8.3% · 18

Air bags 6.9% · 15

Power train 4.6% · 10

Exterior lighting 4.1% · 9

Fuel system, gasoline 4.1% · 9

Severity

Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 13 report an injury.

Reading the numbers

Across the 12 model years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo in this data, 1997 sits 7th by complaint volume. 2001 draws the most.

Filings are rising, 10 in the last three years against 8 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 95,225 miles.

In owners' own words

In very wet driving conditions, application of braking pressure to pedal does not initiate braking performance immediately. There is a delayed onset of braking of several seconds. This occurs regularly and predictably in very wet weather. It is clearly a dangerous defect and compensation has to be made for the deteriorated braking performance when conditions are wet. I can provide vin number at a later time. Service brakes, hydraulic

Brakes require excessive stopping distances when wet, creating for very dangerous conditions when conditions are wet. You apply brakes and there is nothing for several seconds and conditions worsen with time. Dealer was contacted they say everything ok no problems they said they adjusted rear brakes no difference. Also all lights go on and off without warning randomly. Service brakes, hydraulic

Brakes have been worked on at least 6 times this time they totally locked up and were smoking at the service desk. I also have been having trouble with my engine oil and engine running ruff and hard to start. A oil consumption test was started where I have lost more than 15qts of oil within the last several months. It is now at the dealer and the engine is out. Service brakes, hydraulic

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Chevrolet Monte Carlo years

1995 244 complaints · 23.0% service brakes, hydraulic 1996 255 complaints · 21.6% electrical system 1998 129 complaints · 18.6% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 170 complaints · 34.1% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 332 complaints · 13.9% electrical system 2001 417 complaints · 18.7% electrical system

Compare all 12 model years →