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2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is engine and cooling, typically around 96,745 miles. It has 2.3 times the complaints of a typical Monte Carlo model year.

Year to avoid2.3x the typical complaints
Year score
41/100
Owner complaints
276
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
430
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21-22mpg

The worst 2001 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.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Fire or smoke 16Stalling 16Won't start 14ABS 12Headlights 10Check engine light 9Airbag light 8Overheating 7No deployment 6Fuel gauge 6Steering noise 6Harsh shifting 5Wipers 5

Recalls 5

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Risk
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy
The remedy applied under recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, and 15V‑201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V‑118, 09V‑116, or 15V‑201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, Buick customer service at 1‑800‑521‑7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1‑800‑442‑6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall number 15V701000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignitionReported July 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles affected
What is wrong
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Recall number 14V400000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
Risk
If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537, and pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall number 09V116000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported August 29, 2000 · 580 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag sensing and diagnostic modules (sdm) could experience a memory error resulting in the air bags not deploying in a crash situation.
Risk
In a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more serious injuries.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module.

Recall number 00V244000 · Recall details

Seat beltsReported August 7, 2000 · 156,305 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the occupant may not be properly restrained.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.

Recall number 00V228003 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Defect investigations

Engine compartment firesOpened October 22, 2002, closed March 9, 2004

Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v‑473 and 04v‑090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold ruptures and related fires in other my 1995-2002 gm passenger cars equipped with the subject intake manifold.for additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA02030

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 430

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 430 bulletins for the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.4L 6‑cylFWD192922
3.8L 6‑cylFWD172821

What 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 20, 2020 · Engine · 80,000 miles · PA

Leaks timing and head gaskets

Filed Apr 18, 2020 · Airbags, Body · 90,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

My 2001 montecarlo was hit in front with front end damage and the air bags didn't go off causing my girl friend to have a broken nose ..the vehicle was in motion on a city street in the turning lane

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Fuel system · 117,166 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

I purchased a 2001 chevy monte carlo ss in 9-01. I did not realize until recently the engine was built 2000. I would not have purchased. My car has had multiple problems. The recent occurred july 20th 2019. My odometer is 117,166 original miles. The intake manifolds and upper intake manifold is all made of a plastic. I went to start my car which has been running fine. Around 6-7:00 pm I heard a loud boom. It startled me and my nieghbors even came out. I noticed smoke coming from the front drivers side. I popped the hood and flames were shooting straight up the firewall onto the inside hood. I immediately screamed get me water and noticed the fire extinguisher. I smashed the glass grabbed it and began to put out the fire. Remind you the car has a cover I was using both hands removed the oil cap pulled the cover and still spraying I put the cover out and continued with the engine placing the oil cap to prevent cross contamination. I was able to put out the fire I had cuts to my hand and it singed the hair on my arms and my wrist had a slight burn. However, I have know idea how I was over looked on the 5-17-04 fuel pressure regulator recall part #03064b my car is a 3.8 litre k series. If I would have had my granddaughter she is in a car seat the damage would have been much worse. The flames were so high they almost reached the tree branch. The scary part is gmac is aware of the possible fire and is trying to settle with me for minimal amount. I just spent thousands because the car hit 100,000 so new radiator, tune up etc. This was a very expensive purchase and to think I have been driving a time bomb. Luckily I wasn't in traffic or in a place where I had to pull my granddaughter out and the car seat because the entire car would have burned. I honestly thought it was going to blow up. I can actually shove my fist in that upper intake manifold. See complaint odi112351110

Filed Aug 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Cecking the fuses, none of them were blown. Gauge would be reading hot temperature, would check the hoses and radiator nothing. Fuel system is down now.

Filed Jul 26, 2019 · Engine · 117,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that when she started her vehicle, she heard a loud boom from under the hood. The ignition was turned off and there was smoke coming from the hood. The hood was opened and a fire was discovered. The contact got a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire. The police and fire department were not called and no reports were filed. There were no injuries reported. The contact called the dealer future chevrolet of sacramento (4811 madison ave, sacramento, ca 95841 (916) 265-2473) and they suggested that the vehicle be towed over so they could inspect it for the cause of the fire. The vehicle had a the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v-116000 (engine and engine cooling) that may have contributed to the vehicle catching on fire. The contact had not moved the vehicle over to the dealer yet. The manufacturer took the incident down and gave the contact a case number and a case specialist to call back. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2019 · Engine · OK · fire

Engine fire claim# [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Engine · KY

2001 monte carlo ss. Consumer writes in regards to leaking valve cover gasket. *ld *tr the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired under recall, but the failure recurred.

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 134,000 miles · WA · fire · 1 injury

Engine backfired and exploded upon ignition after sitting for a week. Engine was cold and in cold weather. 3 foot flames, minor burns and injuries sustained er visit for smoke inhalation while extinguishing fire. Vehicle was parked on private property. A neighbor's car the same make and model similar year did the same thing a few weeks ago.

Filed Jul 13, 2017 · Engine · FL

2001 chevrolet monte carlo. Consumer requests reimbursement for repairs. *smd updated 07/13/2017

Filed Jul 12, 2017 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · MA

The dealer years ago just put an insert into the key. Now the ignition does not properly work. You have to wiggle the key for operation. Sometimes the car won't start,other times the components won't work unless I wiggle the key. Car has 57,000 miles. Was part of the original recall for ignition problems.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?

Owners have filed 276 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 2.3 times a typical Monte Carlo model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo year score?

The 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo scores 41 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

Engine and cooling, with 95 complaints, typically around 96,745 miles. Next is electrical (77).

How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?

5 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, electrical system and air bags.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chevrolet Monte Carlo have bad engine?

The Chevrolet Monte Carlo model years with the most engine complaints are 2001 (95 complaints), 2000 (70 complaints) and 2002 (68 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo range from 21 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 29 highway.

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