Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that while driving 85 MPH, the steering wheel became loose and caused the contact to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the lower pinion bearing for the steering rack needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 03v527000 (steering:rack and pinion) however, the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 220,000.
The worst 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes36
- Engine30
- Steering30
- Electrical17
- Airbags15
- Fuel system13
- Lights9
- Seat belts9
- Suspension8
- Transmission8
- Visibility8
- Acceleration7
- Body6
- Seats5
- Locks2
- Wheels2
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
ABS 7No deployment 6Power steering loss 6Stalling 6Steering lock-up 6Ball joint 5
Recalls 1
Steering: rack and pinion
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 03V527000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Defect investigations
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm's letter to the federal safety agency dated december 11, 2003, expands its original recall (the federal safety agency 02v286) to include certain w-body vehicles: 96-97 olds cutlass supreme; 98 olds intrigue; 97-98 olds cutlass; 97-98 chevy lumina, monte carlo and malibu; 96 pontiac grand prix; and 96-98 buick regal.the number of vehicles recalled is 750,283.gm determined that failure of the rack and pinion is related to damage of the lower pinion bearing and the level of the pinion bearing pre-load spring force.gm states, higher rack pre-load spring force (133 lb.) is the design characteristic most closely associated with higher bearing damage rates in most of the vehicle applications that used the general bearing company (gbc) bearing.all of the vehicles covered in the expanded recall have the 133 lb spring force.the 96 lumina/monte carlo and 97-98 century w-body vehicles included in this investigation utilize a lower spring force and are not included in the recall.
EA03019
Power rack and pinion steering failure
Gm conducted a safety recall (the federal safety agency # 02v286) to address a steering defect pertaining to a lower pinion bearing (lpb) within the rack and pinion steering gear (r&p). The recall covered 1,159,156 model year 1997-1998 pontiac grand prix vehicles built between march 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997, 1996-1998 pontiac trans sport, chevrolet lumina apv, chevrolet venture, oldsmobile silhouette minivans, and chevrolet cavalier and pontiac sunfire sedans built between january 1, 1996 and october 31, 1997.odi opened this rq after receiving reports that other vehicles were exhibiting the same symptoms as the recalled vehicles.based on odi's review of technical and complaint data collected during the rq, the w-cars are associated with either a higher steering complaint rate or a higher lpb failure rate than the other vehicles investigated under the rq and are above or near the rates for the recalled vehicles.thus, odi will further examine the w-cars (1996-1997 oldsmobile cutlass supreme, 1996-1998 buick regal, chevrolet lumina, chevrolet monte carlo, 1997-1998 buick century, and 1998 oldsmobile intrigue) under a new investigation, engineering analysis (ea)03-019.
RQ03001
Degraded braking performance
There is no summary currently available
EA98019
Degraded braking performance
PE98023
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 57
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy...
- Fuel system, gasoline
- This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Equipment
- This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information with the field action courtesy...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest...
- Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices
- Vehicle Recalls
- This informational bulletin provides the technician with information on what E85 fuel may due to a non E85...
What 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 97 monte carlo z34 started dying on me whenever I came to a complete stop and after I had been driving it for a while. And it would shoot forward after I started it again in neutral(the only way it would start). Placing myself in the middle of intersections unwillingly, I would have to start my car and make sure no cars were coming any way or else I would have crashed! Now my car is completely undrivable and dies whenever I hit my brakes, I took the car to several mechanics since this started and have had the following changed/repaired: upper and lower intake gasket set, throttle body gasket, thermostat, spark plugs and wires, air filter, numerous vacuum leaks, valve covers.
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. The car only has 120k miles on it, and the bluebook states the value to be around $2200. Does the state of maryland have information on this issue requiring gm to perform this work under some kind of warranty?
My 97 chevy monte carlo has had no lower brake lights for some time . I had my car checked by an auto electrician and was told that the problem was so severe and it would probably never find the source of the problem. I am very concerned with this issue being it may cause serious injury to my self/family or others. As I drive on the road I notice many autos of the same year and type have the same problem so I know its not only my vehicle .I thought it could of been the factory installed security system so I had it uninstalled to come to the fact that it was not the security system after all. Please help with this issue . This is my only source of transportation as I am disabled and cannot afford another vehicle . I have put constant repairs on this car , fuel inj tank, etc. Again please address this urgent issue.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet monte carlo. While driving 5 MPH, the engine fell out of the vehicle. The mechanic stated that the failure was caused by the sub frame bolts not being tightened. The bolts were re-attached. As of august 14, 2007, no other failures have occurred. The current and failure mileages were 145,000.
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.
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.
Decrease braking ability on wet pavement.
Dt: 1997, monte carlo, cruise control was set for 68 MPH. Consumer went to turn off at an exit and the cruise control would not shut off. Because of this vehicle would not slow down ,causing a collision. Consumer and other occupants were injured. *ak the driver was braking hard but could not slow down vehicle. The vehicle was on a interstate highway, when accident occurred.
Dt: consumer had recall 03v527000 repairs done in february which was suppose to be preventive recall work. Vehicle was still experiencing loss of power steering. Consumer said when she turned left the vehicle demonstrated high resistance. Took vehicle to dealer after manufacturer advised her to take it to any dealer. The dealer insisted that she go back to dealer who did the original recall repairs. Dealer checked vehicle after she agreed to pay for the labor. Mechanic checked vehicle and claimed it was rack and pinion problem.
Compare the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
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Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Is the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?
Owners have filed 164 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 1.4 times a typical Monte Carlo model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
Brakes, with 36 complaints. Next is engine (30).
How many recalls does the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
1 recall, covering steering.
What year does the Chevrolet Monte Carlo have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo model years with the most brakes complaints are 1999 (49 complaints), 1996 (47 complaints) and 1995 (45 complaints).
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