1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling (1) and other or unknown (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 4 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling1 17%
- Other or unknown1 17%
- Seat belts1 17%
- Wheels1 17%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Transmission fails to come out of lock up causing car to stall and shift erratically when restarted. I failure analized the psolenoid which was removed and found the mal-function to be caused by a blistering of the phenalic core material due to overheating thus causing the solenoid piston to stick open and not allowing the feflow of fluid to the proper non lock up areas. I am not alone .... This is a factory design defect in the 400 transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #703845, filed 1999-02Engine cooling: “After being in an accident vehicle started to flip. Afterwards vehicle caught on fire. Dealership could not find out why vehicle caught on fire. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.”
NHTSA complaint #8007493, filed 2002-04Other or unknown: “Nar 02/10/2003. The consumers son was involved in an accident where all 4 occupants died. According to a previous complaint, the vehicle flipped over and caught on fire. No mention of possible defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10008674, filed 2003-01Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monte Carlo RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Monte Carlo RWD | 4.3L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Monte Carlo RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 86V131000Sep 19, 1986Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1986, Cavalier 1986, Pontiac 6000 1986 +30 more
The push pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving…
- 86V056000Apr 28, 1986Exterior lighting › Headlights › SwitchCovers: Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1986, Chevrolet Truck 1985–1986, GMC GMC 1985–1986 +16 more
The push-pull headlight switch may have electrical contacts which allow an intermittent headlight circuit causing headlight to flicker or suddenly go out. Consequence of defect: sudden loss of the headlights under severe weather or nighttime driving…
Recall details for the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
Other model years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 42 | 65,195 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 113 | 56,242 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 120 | 65,000 | 1 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 230 | 54,500 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 158 | 74,185 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 230 | 74,501 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 276 | 75,900 | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 233 | 85,000 | 5 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 125 | 78,962 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 100 | 86,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 164 | 86,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 155 | 81,000 | 1 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 169 | 120,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 6 | — | 2 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
All Chevrolet Monte Carlo model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 1.
Has the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Monte Carlo, 4.3L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.