1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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.
28% of complaints: service brakes — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.
CRASH INJURY17% of complaints: steering — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and hydraulic power assist system.
CRASH FIRE INJURY15% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
1998 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE RECALL NOTICE AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE, PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130207
10% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing wiring and horn.
CRASH FIRE INJURY9% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CONSUMER STATE AS A RESULT OF HIGHDROPLAINED INTO A DITCH AT 40 MPH VEHICLE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
NHTSA ODI report, 20021209
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, VEHICLE HAD DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, FAILING TO PROTECT OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990630
SAFETY TIMELINE
DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
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
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE
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
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
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPP
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINEÂS FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINEÂS PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE
Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineÂs front valve cover and gasket.
Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (28 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (17 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 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.
- Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
5 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.