CarModelProblems.com

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
164Complaints
3Recalls
14Crashes
1Fires
10Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (14.6% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.4× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip24 · 14.6%RecalledRecall 01I014000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline17 · 10.4%not available
Steering:rack And Pinion16 · 9.8%RecalledRecall 03V527000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine8 · 4.9%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission7 · 4.3%not available
Air Bags6 · 3.7%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE17 · 10.4%
STEERING:RACK AND PINION16 · 9.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8 · 4.9%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7 · 4.3%
AIR BAGS6 · 3.7%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL6 · 3.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR6 · 3.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS5 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 3%

Percentages are the share of the 164 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices

NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

NHTSA campaign 01I014000 · 2001 · reported 09/24/2001

THE BRAKING COULD FEEL DELAYED MOMENTARILY WHEN LIGHT OR MODERATE FORCE IS APPLIED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE DRIVING ON WET ROADS OR AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:rack And Pinion

NHTSA campaign 03V527000 · 2003 · reported 12/11/2003

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE LOSES POWER, AND ABS BRAKING SYSTEM BECOMES INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. RESULTS FROM COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP WHERE…”NHTSA complaint 891279 — filed 06/26/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“ABS PREMATURELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT ONLY 38,000 MILES. CAUSE UNKNOWN.”NHTSA complaint 881226 — filed 02/23/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“ENGINE LEAKS OIL OUT OF THE TOP SOME WHERE AND THE ABS HAS FAILED ABS LIGHT IN DASH STAY'S ON ALL THE TIME COST TO…”NHTSA complaint 740916 — filed 02/15/2001 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

18199729451999301720011419200328220055120078120091

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 24 of 164 NHTSA complaints (14.6%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (17), steering:rack and pinion (16), engine and engine cooling:engine (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?

164 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 10 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07E021000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.