2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Monte Carlo Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 3 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 155 complaints 1997: 164 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 125 complaints 1999 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2002 2003: 158 complaints 2003 2004: 230 complaints 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2007: 42 complaints 2007 2008: 2 complaints 2010: 2 complaints 2010
2002: 230 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19822
19831
19843
19854
19866
19875
19883
19890
19900
19911
1995169
1996155
1997164
1998100
1999125
2000233
2001276
2002230
2003158
2004230
2005120
2006113
200742
20082
20102

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%

20% of complaints: electrical system — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE SHIFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20121211

ENGINE 17%

17% of complaints: engine — 38 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

STARTED CAR AND HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND THEN SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND INTAKE COVER AND HARNESS ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI report, 20200322

I STARTED THE CAR UP AND I HEARD A POP AND SAW A BLUE FLAME. AFTER REPAIRING THE CAR COSTING $3240.74 IT ONCE AGAIN CAUGHT ANOTHER FIRE PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130605

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. A FIRE ERUPTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130123

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9%

9% of complaints: exterior lighting — 21 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 13 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 6%

6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 13 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2002 — complaint volume: 230
R 20020815 — air bags

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER O

Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20021022 — EA (closed 20040309)

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

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

R 20081016 — steering

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOL

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.

Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090223 — steering

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEM

Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D

Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090409 — engine and engine cooling

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 ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE

Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — electrical system

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160219 — engine and engine cooling

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 engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (38 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V222000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2007 ▲ 1998 ● 2006

WORST YEARS

◆ 2001 ◆ 2000 ◆ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.