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 steering at 13.8%.
Complaints218
Crashes17
Fires3
Injuries13
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 16.5% · 36
Steering 13.8% · 30
Engine and engine cooling 13.8% · 30
Electrical system 8.3% · 18
Air bags 6.9% · 15
Power train 4.6% · 10
Seat belts 4.1% · 9
Exterior lighting 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…