2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo recalls and problems

The 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has 5 safety recalls and 276 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Chevrolet dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
276
Crashes / fires
13 / 31
Injuries / deaths
16 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo recalls

Recall 15V-701: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Oct 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Fix: 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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall 14V-400: Electrical System

Reported Jul 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-116: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Apr 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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 equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.

Risk: If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall 00V-244: Air Bags

Reported Aug 29, 2000 · 580 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag sensing and diagnostic modules (Sdm) could experience a memory error resulting in the air bags not deploying in a crash situation.

Risk: In a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more serious injuries.

Fix: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module.

Recall 00V-228: Seat Belts

Reported Aug 7, 2000 · 156,305 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System78
Engine and Engine Cooling50
Engine48
Steering40
Exterior Lighting39
Service Brakes, Hydraulic30
Air Bags26
Power Train18
Fuel System, Gasoline10
Fuel/Propulsion System9
Structure7
Seat Belts6

Most reported parts

  • Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal — 11
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 10
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 10
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 10
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 7
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 6
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe — 6
  • Exterior Lighting › Hazard Flashing Warning Lights › Switch — 6

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 76,800 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 90,000 miles · reported Apr 18, 2020
My 2001 montecarlo was hit in front with front end damage and the air bags didn't go off causing my girl friend to have a broken nose ..the vehicle was in motion on a city street in the turning lane
Electrical System · reported Aug 2, 2019
Cecking the fuses, none of them were blown. Gauge would be reading hot temperature, would check the hoses and radiator nothing. Fuel system is down now.
Engine · reported Mar 13, 2019
2001 monte carlo ss. Consumer writes in regards to leaking valve cover gasket. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired under recall, but the failure recurred.
Engine · at 134,000 miles · reported Feb 21, 2019
Engine backfired and exploded upon ignition after sitting for a week. Engine was cold and in cold weather. 3 foot flames, minor burns and injuries sustained er visit for smoke inhalation while extinguishing fire. Vehicle was parked on private property. A neighbor's car the same make and model similar year did the same thing a few weeks ago.
Electrical System · at 57,000 miles · reported Jul 12, 2017
The dealer years ago just put an insert into the key. Now the ignition does not properly work. You have to wiggle the key for operation. Sometimes the car won't start,other times the components won't work unless I wiggle the key. Car has 57,000 miles. Was part of the original recall for ignition problems.

Other Chevrolet Monte Carlo years

Compare all Chevrolet Monte Carlo years · All Chevrolet models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo: 15V-701 (engine and engine cooling), 14V-400 (electrical system), 09V-116 (engine and engine cooling), 00V-244 (air bags), 00V-228 (seat belts). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (78 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (50). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 76,800 miles.

Are Chevrolet recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Chevrolet dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.