Started car and heard a loud boom and then smoke under the hood and intake cover and harness on fire
2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems
68 complaints (30% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 68
- of this car's complaints
- 30%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Cooling system8
- Engine4
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe3
- Engine: gasoline2
- Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
- Exhaust system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Won't start 16Stalling 13Check engine light 5Loss of power 5
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- 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 engines 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
Engine and engine cooling
- 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 engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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
What 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The car's fuel gage stopped working. The car wouldn't turn over when I started it so I got a new battery since it said my old one was bad, but it's still not working. The security light is on and I don't understand why and if this is affecting it from turning on
2002 chevrolet monte carlo. Consumer writes in regards to engine failure and requests reimbursement for engine repairs. *smd the consumer stated the engine failed when oil got onto the engine and caught fire. The consumer had not received a recall until after the failure. The consumer had the engine replaced. The consumer would like to be reimbursed for the cost of the engine replacement.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. When the vehicle was started, the contact heard a loud popping sound. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire from the engine compartment. The fire department was notified and was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and a fire report was not filed. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. While the vehicle was undergoing a routine inspection, the technician noticed that the back cover gasket was leaking oil. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,571.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. While driving at any speed, the contact noticed a burning odor inside the vehicle caused by the emitting oil from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 57,000. .....updated 08/11/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a strong burning fuel odor was present inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the necessary recall repair part was unavailable. A remedy had not yet been determined for the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair part to become available to the public. The contact also stated that several appointments were secured to have the vehicle repaired; however, the dealer continuously cancelled and rescheduled appointments to their discretion without notifying the contact. The contact was unsure how the dealer was making appointments for repairs when there was no remedy available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, but provided no assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 05/11/16*lj updated 07/251/6.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part needed to perform the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, when the vehicle began to smoke both inside the vehicle and under the hood of the vehicle without warning. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle along with all the other occupants. A fire started under the hood of the vehicle. The contact attempted to put out the fire however, was unable to lift the hood of the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The two occupants received smoke inhalation and slight burns to their arms. No medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have engine problems?
Owners have filed 68 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 30% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 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).
Other 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Electrical 55Brakes 37Lights 33Airbags 20Fuel system 18Steering 18Body 8Transmission 7Visibility 7Driver assistance 5Acceleration 4Seat belts 4Tires 4Suspension 3Locks 2Seats 2
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