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EnginePart report

2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Engine Problems

Complaints
48about this part
Share
17%of 276 total for the year
Median mileage
123,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the engine of the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 17% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,000 miles. 19 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Upon attempting to start my car, the engine made a loud bang and saw some smoke coming out from the sides of the hood. I then noticed in the reflection of some water on the street and orange glow. I got out of the car, saw fire under the car, and called 911.”

NHTSA complaint #10556993, filed 2013-12, 195,000 miles

“I've had this automobile for several years now and without knowing the intake gaskets leak in the 3.8 engines. I was unaware of this severe condition. I should of been told of this issue when I purchase the car from the dealer since this is an ongoing problem with many of the chevy monte carlos 3.8 and I believe the 3.4 also. It will cost me about $480 to repair which I do not have and should not be responsible for this Chevrolet ongoing issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10534262, filed 2013-08, 80,220 miles

“I went to a dealership to deal with a key ignition recall 2 months ago. Now my car is stalling in the middle of the road which never happened before the recall..”

NHTSA complaint #10990718, filed 2017-05, 175,089 miles

“I was driving at highway speeds and the temp gauge droppef to zero, air conditioning stopped working, and car began to struggle. I pulled the car off the highway to see if was dumping coolant put. Took the vehicle to the shop and he new what was wrong because a lot of these cars come in with the problem. I had to have the timing cover replaced and the ect sensor. The mechanic said this happens often as GM cars have these issues. Was also told it looked as if the car overheated and was lucky it didn't blow up on the highway and cause an accident.”

NHTSA complaint #10896572, filed 2016-08, 180,453 miles

“I got into the vehicle to go to church sunday with my mother-in-law. I turned the key in the ignition and there was an explosion from under the hood that made the hood jump and some smoke came out of the sides. It scared my mother-in-law half to death. Our company mechanic checked the engine and determined the intake had exploded. He checked on-line as to a probable cause and discovered there was a recall on various pontiac, buick and chevy vehicles with 3.8l engines due to intake explosions due to faulty fuel pressure regulators. …”

NHTSA complaint #10745795, filed 2015-08, 73,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200725%
200665%
200543%
20042310%
20033220%
20023817%
20014817%
20002812%
199997%
199866%
199611%

Other parts of the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Electrical system
77 complaints
Engine cooling
48 complaints
Steering
38 complaints
Exterior lighting
36 complaints
Brakes
32 complaints
Air bags
26 complaints
Fuel system
20 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
17 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Equipment
6 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Suspension
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology