Skip to content
Engine coolingPart report

2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
30about this part
Share
13%of 230 total for the year
Median mileage
51,500miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 13% of the 230 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,500 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“We own a 2002 chevy Monte Carlo. The vehicle started to overheat. The dealer told us it needs a new head gasket at a cost of $1000.00 plus. I called chevy to see if this was a common problem since the car only has 50,000 miles on it and they said yes. They have not issued a recall. After doing research I have found out that many people are experiencing this problem and chevy will not fix this defect.”

NHTSA complaint #10112728, filed 2005-03, 52,429 miles

“My 2002 Monte Carlo GM 3.4l engine leaks oil into cooling system. This is a known problem with the 3.4l engine. Several people I know that own this very engine experience the same problem. It is believed that dexcool antifreeze installed in the car when new, reacts with the intake manifold gasket causing deterioration of the gasket. This results in engine oil seeping into the cooling system contaminating the radiator, sensors and all parts related. Gm dealers would not fix, car just out of warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10267933, filed 2009-05, 38,000 miles

“I purchased the vehicle new in june of 2002. The car currently has 120,000 miles on it's 3.8 v6 engine. Every 40,000 miles we have had to put a new catalytic converter on the car. The check engine light comes on and the code reads catalytic converter bad. The dealership has made the repair under warranty each time, but can not identify the reason for the converter going bad. I have heard this is a common enough problem that GM extended the warranty on the converters for 10 years or 120,000 miles. The car runs well and gets good mileage. …”

NHTSA complaint #10158814, filed 2006-06, 40,000 miles

“I own a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 53,000 miles on it with intermediate shaft problems and intake manifold gasket problems. Both are apparently common on this make and model. Chevrolet should make these repairs. The steering can be affected, which is a hazard and the gasket could cause engine freeze up while driving, also a hazard.”

NHTSA complaint #10206697, filed 2007-10, 53,000 miles

“Low coolant light came on and after contacting and researching GM coolant systems failures it turned out to be a ban manifold having to also replace the waterpump and several oil changes my engine may never be the same. This is an engineering defect wich should be recalled instead of loosing customers”

NHTSA complaint #10121351, filed 2005-05, 51,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200665%
200533%
200473%
20032516%
20023013%
20014817%
20004218%
19993125%
19981414%
19973018%
19963925%
19951911%
1987240%
1986117%

Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Electrical system
55 complaintsEngine
38 complaintsBrakes
37 complaintsExterior lighting
33 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsSteering
18 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 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