1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe steering that becomes stiff or locks, especially while turning left at low speed, and a second cluster of brake complaints about delayed or reduced stopping in wet weather. Cooling-system and intake-gasket leaks, intermittent electrical problems and non-deploying air bags also appear in the sampled complaints, mostly on higher-mileage vehicles.

1. 1
   Steering

   Steering locks or becomes very hard to turn

   Mentioned in 14 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the steering suddenly locking or requiring heavy effort, most often while turning left, sometimes at low speed and sometimes while driving. Several say a shop or dealer traced it to the rack and pinion assembly or its lower pinion bearing and replaced the rack; some mention the recall repair was done but similar resistance returned. Complaints also describe losing control and hitting a curb or pole when the steering bound up. Reported from about 63,000 to 127,000 miles in the sample, usually during left turns.

   Recall 03V5270001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 03V527000 was performed and keep the paperwork; have a shop inspect the rack and pinion and check steering effort on a slow left turn before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am having problems with my 1997 Monte Carlo. The power steering intermittently locks up and/or becomes very difficult to operate. Problem always occurs when turning to the left, usually at low speeds. Problem becoming progressively worse to the point where vehicle is not drivable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10052603, filed 2004-01, 70,122 miles

   “Power steering locked up when making a left turn. At first it happen with my son driving, was fine one day, and like something broke the next. I took my car to my mechanic, they said they have seen 3 monto carlo's that month having the same problem. I have owned numerous vehicles in my life and have never had this kind of problem. It is a very dangerous situation. Then when driving it to my mechanic, thank god my son was in the car with me, and helped me muscle the car through the turn, or there would have been a serious accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10016691, filed 2003-04, 118,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brakes slow to bite in wet weather

   Mentioned in 7 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the pedal going down further than usual or the car not slowing immediately when the brakes are applied in rain or very wet conditions, with stopping distance stretching out. Owners say the effect clears once the brakes dry, and some were told by technicians that water gets between the pad and rotor. Others report noise, squealing or brakes that drag or lock up. Reports span the whole mileage range, with symptoms tied to wet weather rather than a particular mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the brakes on a wet road if possible and ask about pad, rotor and ABS sensor service history; a scan for stored ABS codes is worth requesting.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes have been worked on at least 6 times this time they totally locked up and were smoking at the service desk. I also have been having trouble with my engine oil and engine running ruff and hard to start. A oil consumption test was started where I have lost more than 15qts of oil within the last several months. It is now at the dealer and the engine is out.”

   NHTSA complaint #707764, filed 1999-06

   “In very wet driving conditions, application of braking pressure to pedal does not initiate braking performance immediately. There is a delayed onset of braking of several seconds. This occurs regularly and predictably in very wet weather. It is clearly a dangerous defect and compensation has to be made for the deteriorated braking performance when conditions are wet. I can provide VIN number at a later time.”

   NHTSA complaint #708649, filed 1999-07
3. 3
   Air bags

   Air bag light on or bags not deploying

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • median 97,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1997–2004

   Owners describe the air bag warning light coming on and staying on, and several report that the bags did not deploy in a frontal impact. One complaint describes the driver-side bag inflating while the car was parked in a driveway. Dealers are variously described as replacing components, clearing codes, or having no explanation. Appears from low mileage upward, with several reports above 90,000 miles; triggered by collisions in most cases.

   What to check: Turn the key on and confirm the air bag light goes out after the bulb check; a history of impact or body repair and any stored air bag codes are worth checking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “During a snow storm I was in a car accident where the car in front of me abruptly stopped and because of the road conditions I was unable to decelerate fast enough and I tried to pull to the shoulder of the road to avoid hitting the other car but I still slid into the other car and then hit a tree. There was extensive damage(approx $5,000) done to the front end of my car and my air bags never deployed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10003502, filed 2003-01, 132,013 miles

   “While driving 50 MPH vehicle skidded on an icy patch on the road, driver lost control, and vehicle hit an embankment head on. Upon impact, dual airbags did not deploy. Driver sustained severe injuries to the face and neck, and passenger sustained a concussion and a black eye. Due to severe damage the vehicle was totaled.”

   NHTSA complaint #10065434, filed 2004-05, 94,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks from the intake manifold gasket

   Mentioned in 6 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report coolant loss traced to a leaking intake manifold gasket, with repair quotes commonly in the several-hundred-to-thousand dollar range. Some describe the same reseal being needed twice within a couple of years, and one mentions a blown head gasket alongside it; others report heavy oil use and rough running before the engine was pulled apart. Mostly reported between roughly 36,000 and 120,000 miles, sometimes within a few years of new.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for crusty residue or seepage at the intake manifold edges; ask for receipts showing whether the intake gasket has already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was recently diagnosed with an intake manifold gasket that needs to be replaced (due to leaking of engine coolant). Two mechanics informed me the repair costs would be between $800-$1000. After further research, I discovered several general motors vehicles between 1996-2002 had this same problem. Though no official recall was done, GM did publish a technical service bulletin regarding this problem a few years ago. I know canada has filed class action suits against canada GM concerning this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10232010, filed 2008-06, 119,000 miles

   “Vehicle was leaking oil. Oil is changed every 5000 miles, and vehicle is burning oil too fast. Took vehicle to a mechanic, and mechanic stated gaskets were cracked under the motor. Consumer did not know the cause. Consumer stated that they refused to fix the vehicle because mechanic stated it was the hardest engine to get out to replace gaskets.”

   NHTSA complaint #8010990, filed 2002-06
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signal and brake light faults

   • 5 complaints (3%)
   • median 103,000 mi at 8.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2006

   Complaints describe the turn signal switch failing so that brake lights or indicators stop working properly, with replacement of the switch described as the fix. One owner links it to smoke and a small fire from the steering column area after wipers and a blinker stopped working. Others report the dealer could not identify the cause. Reported from about 55,000 to 120,000 miles in the sample.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the key on, test both turn signals and have someone watch the brake lights while you press the pedal; ask whether the turn signal switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This is my second GM vehicle with the same malfunction. First, the windshield wipers would not turn on. Then the right blinker would not work (stays solid, doesn't flash). Then there was a small fire accompanied by a lot of smoke coming from the steering column. This is a 1997 chevy Monte Carlo. The other car I had with the same malfunction was a 1995 chevy beretta. All repairs are costly.”

   NHTSA complaint #10177137, filed 2006-12, 120,000 miles

   “The turn signal switch has an unnatural tendency to fail on all 95-99 Monte Carlo and 95- 00 lumina's made by Chevrolet this can cause a failure in the electrical system resulting in the failure of the brake lights. The turn signal switch will need to be replaced. This has resulted in the proper operation of the brake lights. Old part not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10168687, filed 2006-09, 55,000 miles

Buying note. Give the steering rack, brake feel in wet conditions and coolant seepage the most attention on a car this age, and ask for recall and service receipts. A pre-purchase inspection by a shop familiar with these cars is the most reliable way to judge condition.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.