1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year write most often about brakes, particularly brake performance in wet weather and ABS behavior at low speed, and about coolant leaks at the intake manifold gasket on the 3.1L V6. Many complaints were filed on vehicles with 50,000 to 100,000 miles, though brakes and gasket leaks also appear at much lower mileage. A separate group of reports concerns early-2000s oil-leak-on-exhaust-manifold recalls, where owners describe waiting for parts.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Weak or delayed braking in wet weather; ABS acts up at low

   • 42 complaints (34%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2019

   Complaints describe the brake pedal feeling hard or going toward the floor when driving in rain, snow, or after a car wash, with the car taking much longer to stop than expected. Several owners also describe the ABS engaging on its own at low speeds on dry pavement, or the ABS light coming on and the system shutting down. Some report that dealers replaced pads, rotors, or the master cylinder, and others say the dealer could not duplicate the condition or called it normal for anti-lock brakes in wet weather. Reported across a wide mileage range, from near-new vehicles to over 140,000 miles, and consistently tied to wet or cold conditions.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the car in wet conditions if possible and note pedal feel and stopping distance; ask whether the ABS light has come on and whether wheel speed sensors or the ABS relay/fuse block have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1999 Monte Carlo that repeatedly has engaged the ABS brake system for no apparent reason at low speeds only, often decreasing the ability to stop the car. I have seen many published reports of this problem in GM trucks and would like it known its not limited to trucks/SUV's.”

   NHTSA complaint #10134813, filed 2005-08, 90,000 miles

   “I started to hear a slight clicking sound when I pressed on my brakes, only every once in a while, like the sound I would hear when I would hit a pot hole in the road while I was braking and my low traction light would come on. It progressively had started to get worse over the course of the month. I have had two garages look at my car, and they cannot figure out what is making the repeated and very evident clicking sound everytime the brakes are touched. I have had a diagnostic test done on the car and no codes are showing up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10248837, filed 2008-11, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leak at intake manifold gasket (3.1L V6)

   • 20 complaints (16%)
   • median 77,800 mi at 5.3 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $650 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2015

   Owners describe slowly losing coolant, then finding puddles of antifreeze under the car or a low radiator, traced by mechanics to a failed intake manifold gasket. Complaints mention the plastic-and-rubber gasket breaking down, sometimes within a few years, and repairs quoted in the range of several hundred dollars. Some report the engine overheated or stalled when coolant entered the engine, and a few mention smoke or fire under the hood. Many reports fall between about 35,000 and 100,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage; several note the problem appeared just after warranty ended.

   What to check: Check the coolant level and look for crusty residue or leaks around the intake manifold, and ask whether the intake gasket has been replaced and with which part.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Intake manifold coolant leak, happened to my 3.1 engine, and to several of my friends, each with the 3.1 engine. Each stated a cost of $ 650.00 for this repair, seems this happens to all the 3.1 liter engines, shouldn't Chevrolet own up to this problem? When it happens to a select few thats one thing, when it happens to all of then is it not a design flaw?”

   NHTSA complaint #10068207, filed 2004-05, 85,000 miles

   “My 1999 Monte Carlo stated leaking antifreeze dips at a time. Then the next thing I know there was puddles of anti-freeze under my car. I took the car to a shop and the mechanic said I needed a intake manifold gasket and that's going to be $450.00. I didn't have the money so I had the car pushed home and now I am waiting to get the car fixed when I can come up with the money.”

   NHTSA complaint #10104355, filed 2004-12, 91,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Oil dripping onto exhaust manifold (recall-related)

   • 10 complaints (8%)
   • median 134,275 mi at 13.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2016

   Owners describe oil leaks, a burning oil smell, and in some cases smoke from the engine compartment, and several say they were notified of a recall for oil dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold. Many complaints focus on the repair being delayed because parts were unavailable at the time. A few describe a fire, or an explosion under the hood on startup with intake manifold damage. Mostly reported on vehicles above 100,000 miles, often years after the original recall notices.

   Recall 15V701000Recall 09V116000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 15V701000 (and earlier related campaigns) was completed; check for oil residue around the exhaust manifold and for a burning oil smell after a drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was at a friends for several hours proceeding incident. I drove my 1999 chevy Monte Carlo z34 about 1 mile from my friends to taco bell. The car had been running great. I went inside to order I was in their 10-15 minutes. When I came out smoke was coming from under the hood. I opened the hood and the top of the engine was on fire. Taco bell employees called 911 and then provided a fire extinguisher. The fire was put out by the extinguisher and they cancelled the 911 call. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10243150, filed 2008-09, 189,457 miles

   “The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that after turning the ignition key to start the engine, an explosion occurred under the hood. The contact discovered that during the incident the intake manifold and the top of the engine were severely damaged. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 148,551.”

   NHTSA complaint #10781126, filed 2015-10, 148,551 miles

Buying note. Given the age of these vehicles, brake behavior in wet weather and coolant leaks at the intake manifold gasket are the things owners mention most, so test both on a wet day if you can. Ask for records showing whether the oil-leak recall work was completed and whether the intake gasket has already been replaced.

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.