MYRModel Year Report

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

● Typical for this model
1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:59.686Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
164
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 3 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 155 complaints 1997: 164 complaints 1997 164 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 125 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2003: 158 complaints 2004: 230 complaints 2004 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2007: 42 complaints 2008: 2 complaints 2008 2010: 2 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 3 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 155 complaints 1997: 164 complaints 1997 164 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 125 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2002 2003: 158 complaints 2004: 230 complaints 2004 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2006 2007: 42 complaints 2008: 2 complaints 2008 2010: 2 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 3 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 155 complaints 1996 1997: 164 complaints 1997 164 1998: 100 complaints 1998 1999: 125 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2002 2003: 158 complaints 2004: 230 complaints 2004 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2006 2007: 42 complaints 2008: 2 complaints 2008 2010: 2 complaints

1997: 164 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19822
19831
19843
19854
19866
19875
19883
19890
19900
19911
1995170
1996155
1997164
1998100
1999125
2000233
2001276
2002230
2003158
2004230
2005120
2006113
200742
20082
20102

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

23% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

Steering

18% · 30 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and pump.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering failed without warning, which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and crashed into the curb. Dealer diagnosed that the rack and pinion system was defective.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-23

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while driving 85 MPH, the steering wheel became loose and caused the contact to temporarily lose control of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-13

Electrical system

11% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and module.

FIRE

Air bags

9% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

During a snow storm I was in a car accident where the car in front of me abruptly stopped and because of the road conditions I was unable to decelerate fast enough and I tried to pull to the shoulder of the road to avoid hitting the other car but...

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-27

Passenger side air bag blew apart upon impact, resulting in chemical burns. Dup of 517398, added on 25-feb-98.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-07-17

Involved in a collision and the air bags deployed but the passenger side air bag exploded and the chemicals in the air bag burned the face and neck of the driver.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-03-26

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1998-04-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 1998-08-31 Degraded braking performance
  2. I
    1998-08-31Engineering analysisClosed 2001-12-13 Degraded braking performance
  3. R
    2001-09-26Service brakes, hydraulic01I014000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 1995-1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Z34…

    Remedy: Dealer will modify the front fender liners to remove a portion of the closeout panels in the front wheel wells at no charge to the consumer. This service will be available through August 2004.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2003-01-02Recall queryClosed 2003-09-15 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  5. I
    2003-09-15Engineering analysisClosed 2003-12-18 Power rack and pinion steering failure
  6. R
    2004-02-05Steering03V527000 Certain passenger vehicles have lower pinion bearings in the power rack and pinion assembly in which the retainer tabs were not crimped properly. These retainers could fail and permit the ball…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new lower pinion bearing unless inspect of the existing bearing indicates that replacement of the gear assembly is necessary. Owner notification began on February 5, 2004.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, and FP10027-11B1, sold after January 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The…

    Remedy: Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on April 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 38 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 30 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 30 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 01I014000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 03V527000 · Steering
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.