Chevrolet / Monte Carlo / 1998

1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

Owners have filed 129 complaints about the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 18.6% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of steering at 13.2%.

Complaints129

Crashes19

Fires12

Injuries15

Deaths7

What owners report breaking

Service brakes, hydraulic 18.6% · 24

Steering 13.2% · 17

Engine and engine cooling 11.6% · 15

Electrical system 7.8% · 10

Fuel system, gasoline 7.0% · 9

Air bags 7.0% · 9

Engine 4.7% · 6

Visibility 3.9% · 5

Severity

Of those complaints, 19 describe a crash, 12 describe a fire, 15 report an injury and 7 report a death.

Reading the numbers

Across the 12 model years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo in this data, 1998 draws comparatively few complaints; 2001 is the outlier year.

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 98,000 miles.

In owners' own words

Hard pedal with brake fade when stopping from highway speeds - due to warped rotors. Since dealer turned rotors, brakes make klunking, clicking grinding noise during low speed application, but squealing noise at highway speeds with no application. Abs activates prematurely over the slight bumps and won't return control to driver, but no error lamp. Service manager advised gm feels this is normal operation. Service brakes, hydraulic

When brakes are applied, they cause headlights to dim. Also, a clicking sound would come from dashboard and front wheels would lock up momentarily. Dealer was notified. *Ak low track light would illuminate in dry conditions. The clicking and dimming lights seemed to be a short in the abs, abs reluctor was cracked. Cv axle was replaced. Service brakes, hydraulic

Brakes failed at 25 mph causing consumer to rearend another vehicle. Damage to vehicle was $2100. Vehicle had been taken to dealer numerous times in past, beginning in august of 2000. Dealer replaced calipers/pads, and turned rotors. Dealer said there was nothing wrong with brakes. Also, neither airbag deployed. *Ak *slc 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 1997 218 complaints · 16.5% 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 →