1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

● Typical for this model

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:02:35.453Z

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 PER YEAR

1997: 164 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1980	0
1981	2
1982	2
1983	1
1984	3
1985	4
1986	6
1987	5
1988	3
1989	0
1990	0
1991	1
1995	170
1996	155
1997	164
1998	100
1999	125
2000	233
2001	276
2002	230
2003	158
2004	230
2005	120
2006	113
2007	42
2008	2
2010	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SERVICE BRAKES 23%

23% of complaints: service brakes — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%

18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

STEERING 18%

18% of complaints: steering — 30 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and pump.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20030723

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, 20121213

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 18 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing alternator/generator/regulator and module.

FIRE

AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY

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, 20030127

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BLEW APART UPON IMPACT, RESULTING IN CHEMICAL BURNS. DUP OF 517398, ADDED ON 25-FEB-98. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970717

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970326

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19980423 — PE (closed 19980831)

DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE

I 19980831 — EA (closed 20011213)

DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE

R 20010926 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 PASSENGE

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.

Campaign 01I014000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030102 — RQ (closed 20030915)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

I 20030915 — EA (closed 20031218)

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

R 20040205 — steering

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 BEARI

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.

Campaign 03V527000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (38 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (30 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for steering issues (30 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 01I014000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Verify recall 03V527000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2007 ▲ 1998 ● 2006

WORST YEARS

◆ 2001 ◆ 2000 ◆ 2002

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.