1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo complaints

RACK AND PINION STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

VEHICLE CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCES ENGINE SHUT DOWN, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. MJS

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY ARE DEGRADING, AND NOT STOPPING THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. ON INSPECTION, BRAKE ROTORS WERE SEPARATING AND UNEVEN BUT BRAKE PADS STILL HAD MATERIAL ON THEM. METAL ON ROTORS WAS PEELING OFF. *AK *YC

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL OR OUT OF FOURTH GEAR, AND LOSE POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. CAN NHTSA HELP IN THIS MATTER. *AK

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSES CRUISE CONTROL NOT TO WORK WHEN IT WET OUTSIDE. *AK

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. *AK

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. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP AND NOTHING COULD BE FOUNDED. CAN NHTSA PROVIDE ADDTIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM.

AT 36,000 MILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, AND CONSUMER PULLED THE FUSE AND CHECKED FOR BLOWN FUSES. ONCE HE PUT FUSES BACK THE LIGHT WENT OFF. .AGAIN AT 37,000 MILES THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND STAYED ON. *AK

I AM ATTEMPTING TO NOTIFY YOU OF A PROBLEM THAT I BELIEVE IS VERY PREVALENT AMONG THE 1996-1997 MONTE CARLOS. I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE IN NUMEROUS SHOPS TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND I AM OFTEN TOLD THAT IT IS A "MONTE CARLO" PROBLEM. THERE IS A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE THAT OCCURS WHENEVER A STRONG LEFT TURN IS MADE WITH THE VEHICLE, AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE LEFT UPPER BEARING PLATE, ALTHOUGH IT IS UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT. WHEN ONE TURNS A LEFT CIRCLE AND ROCKS THE STEERING WHEEL, THE NOISE WILL OCCUR AND STOP WITH THE ROCKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED LEFT, THE NOISE OCCURS, WHEN THE WHEEL IS STRAIGHTENED OUT, THE NOISE CEASES. MANY OF THE MECHANICS I HAVE VISITED REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY TELL ME THAT IT MAY NOT BE FIXED JUST BY REPLACING THE BEARING PLATE AS THEY ARE UNSURE OF THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD NOW THAT THE ENTIRE LOWER CONTROL ARM (TO THE BALL JOINT) NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS WHAT MOST OF THE MONTE CARLOS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH. I ALSO SEE THAT THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL-JOINT STUDS ON THE 1995 LUMINAS AND MONTE CARLO'S HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IS IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THE MONTE CARLO'S IN NORTHERN IOWA? MY APOLOGIZES TO YOU FOR HAVING TO READ THIS AS I KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT THE MECHANICS AND STRUCTURES OF AUTOS, BUT MY THANKS TO YOU FOR LISTENING. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR OCC

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN WET WEATHER, HAVE TO PUSH HARDER AND HAVE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. *AK

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.

POWER STEERING RACK HAD CONSTANT LEAK. YH

TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING NOISE.

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, INTERMITTENTLY STARTS HARD OR RIDES ROUGH. DEALER CONTACTED AND SERVICE PROVIDED SEVEN TIMES. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. WARRANTY EFFECTIVE. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

SEAT BELT FAILED.

SUNVISOR RETAINER FAILED. MJS

STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FAILED. *YC

FUEL LEVEL GAUGE FAILED. YH

DOOR LOCKS FAILED. *YC

FUEL TANK SENSOR (K13.107) FAILED. *YC

EXPOSED WIRING TO THE STARTER MOTOR CAN BE EASILY CONTACTED WHEN CHANGING THE OIL FILTER WITH A METAL TYPE WRENCH. THIS SITUATION CAUSES A SHORT BETWEEN THE STARTER MOTOR WIRING AND THE WRENCH. A COVER FOR THE STARTER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS WOULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. BOTH PERSONAL INJURY AND MECHANICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ARE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS TO ANYONE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO THESE VEHICLES. *AK

SPARK PLUG WIRES HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS. GM HAS PUT TO SMALL A GAGE SPARK PLUG WIRE. SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 8MM SIZE WIRE.

CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER SMELLS GAS WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION, FUEL PUMP MAKES NOISE. ALSO, CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WIT ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. BRAKES DON'T STOP WHEN THEY SHOULD. THE DEFECT DESCRIBED ABOVE COMPLIES WITH INVESTIGATION NUMBER EA98019. *AK

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL HAS TO BE PRESSED EXTRA HARD. DEALER PUT NEW PADS ON THE VEHICLE. *AK

EA98-019, DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE; CONSUMER NOTICED NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEEL WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE COMING TO AN INCLINE AND TURNING AT THE SAME TIME. DEALER IS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET "NOT SEALING" CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK AND WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE IF THERE IS A SOURCE OF IGNITION. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

ENGINE HAS ERRATIC IDLE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. ENGINE STALLS AND WILL NOT START. ENGINE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND LEAVES YOU WITH NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. ENGINE HAS FAILED 11 TIMES. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR THE THIRD TIME . AFTER LAST DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT CAR, BRAKE PEDAL TURNED INTO GAS PEDAL. CAR IS NOW MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER. PURCHASED CAR JULY 1997. CURRENT MILAGE 5218 MILES. FILED COMPLAINT WITH BBB.

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELLING ABOUT 25 MPH, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THE CAR TURNED OVER. VEHICLE TOTALLED. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

PE98023; WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR IN WET CONDITION THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY OF BRAKING WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ALMOST RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK

OUTSIDE AIR IS ALLOWED TO ENTER VEHICLE THROUGH AIR CONDITIONER VENTS EVEN WHEN FAN IS OFF. AFTER TURNING AIR CONDITIONER OFF MUSTY AIR COMES IN VENTS ALONG WITH EXHAUST FROM OTHER VEHICLES.

SEATBACKS DO NOT LOCK IN PLACE, IN ONE INSTANCE WHEN HAD TO BRAKE FAST, THE SEATBACKS FLEW BACKWARD. *MJS

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES CONTINUE TO FAIL AFTER REPAIRS.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE IN WET WEATHER.

FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS WERE A DIFFERENT SHADE THAN THE REST OF THE VEHICLE.

DESIGN OF THE ENGINE ALLOWS FOR THE SPARK PLUG WIRES TO WRAP AROUND AND UNDER THE ENGINE CAUSING THEM TO OVERHEAT AND MELT RESULTING IN SHORTING OUT AND FAILURE OF THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, THREE REPAIRS DUE TO FAILURES.

ANTI LOCK BRAKES EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS.

THERE IS A LONG DELAY BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE ANY BRAKING ACTION IS NOTICED AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT A MILE OR MORE IN THE RAIN.

ABS BRAKES; WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN WET WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BRAKES FAILS TO STOP. REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. *AK

BRAKES: WHEN DRIVING IN VERY WET WEATHER THE BRAKES DO NOT CONTACT.WAS TOLD BY TECHNICIAN THAT WATER IS GETTING BETWEEN PAD AND ROTOR, AND THEY WON'T HOLD UNTIL THE BRAKES DRY OUT. *AK

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED ON WET SURFACES THE PEDAL GOES DOWN LONGER THAN NORMAL, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL TO STOP IN RAIN, REPAIRS MADE, HOWEVER PROBLEM CONTINUES.

BRAKES DO NOT ACTIVATE PROPERLY CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED.

WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THERE IS A 40-55 SECONDS DELAY BEFORE ACTUALLY ENGAGES THE GEAR. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL, HAS PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION, DEFECT IS STILL OCCURRING. *AK

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON.

WIDE C-PILLARS RESULT IN REDUCED VISIBILITY.

DRIVER SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED WITH KEY.