Model year record

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 218 owner complaints on file.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1995–1999 generation
Pictured: the 1995–1999 generation. BlueCrabRedCrab, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V527000

Steering: rack and pinion

Component
Steering: rack and pinion
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
750,283
Reported to NHTSA
2003-12-11
Owners notified
2004-02-05

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip24—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline17—
Steering: rack and pinion16118,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine868,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission7—
Air bags667,158 mi
Air bags: frontal694,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator692,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components596,450 mi
Vehicle speed control5100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4—
Seat belts: front: retractor4—
Structure: body475,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition3—
Electrical system: ignition: module3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe336,366 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights386,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump3—
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system3118,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seats: front assembly: recliner3—
Steering3220,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump3—
Suspension: front3—
Visibility: power window devices and controls3120,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2132,013 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2120,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2120,000 mi
Exterior lighting2—
Exterior lighting: turn signal286,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2—
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system264,897 mi
Suspension: front: control arm2—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control265,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Wheels2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system175,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1119,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1120,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch155,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1—
Interior lighting1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: manual transmission1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly1—
Service brakes, air1—
Service brakes, air: antilock150,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1120,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections167,035 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1—
Structure1—
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle1—
Unknown or other1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1120,000 mi

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Chevrolet Monte Carlo model years

All Chevrolet Monte Carlo recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.