1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 100 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1998 chevrolet monte carlo. Consumer writes in regards to his disapproval of exhaust manifold recall notice removal of the engine plastic "beauty" cover. *smd the consumer was advised the recall included removing the beauty cover. The consumer stated the recall notice does say that the cover will be removed, but does not state that it wouldn't be returned. Updated 10/10/2017*js”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2016
“On september 24, 2015, my wife was driving our monte carlo. Unbeknown to her the car began smoking underneath, causing loss of control with neither steering nor braking capability. Other drivers, noticing the smoke, were attempting to notify her of the impending fire. She was able to drive about another mile before losing control and crashing into a tree on my neighbor's yard. The car became completely engulfed in flames and was destroyed. Were it not for several good samaritans, and police and fire personnel, she would have been killed. All documentation is available for review.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owned a 1998 chevrolet monte carlo. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The contact stated that all of the air bags deployed. The contact was injured and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact owned a 1998 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire near the engine. The vehicle was destroyed. No further details were available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 05/11/16*bf *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2014
“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. The vehicle was taken to a junk yard.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2013
“1998 monte carlo 29,000 miles, no accidents. Brake lights stopped working except for the third light in the back window. Read on forum a similar issue, lightly massaged the wiring harness going from steering column to turn signal lever, brake lights then began working again. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 09v116000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for remedy repairs. In addition, there was oil leaking onto the engine, which the contact stated could potentially start a fire. The contact believed the issue should have been addressed in the recent recall because it was a safety issue. The current and failure mileages were approximately 98,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2010
“While driving the speed limit (70 mph) down the interstate I-20 returning home from a weekend vacation, my car (1998 chevrolet monte carlo) had a slight putter and smoke started roaring out the rear. I pulled over, turned off the engine, popped the hood and flames were all over the backside of the engine. I called 911 to come put the fire out. No person was injured but my engine is totaled. The engine is completely burned up and melted. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet monte carlo. The vehicle caught fire without warning while at a stop sign. The fire department concluded that the fire was caused by faulty wires. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 198,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 13 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN WET WEATHER OR WET ROAD CONDITIONS IS REDUCED MORE THAN A DRIVER WOULD EXPECT.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
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.
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 BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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.
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 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Monte Carlo by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?
NHTSA has 100 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.