Chevrolet Monte Carlo brake failure problems

Filed Nov 19, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 60,000 miles · IN

About october 10th, 2017 I was coming up on a traffic light and when I applied the brakes, the pedal would not go down. I was going about 45 MPH by the grace of god I was able to blast through an intersection and miss everyone, everything!. Rattled I guess I shut the car off when I regained my composer I started the car and everything was fine. I did not want to believe this happened! I thought I did something wrong maybe had my foot under the brake pedal or something. Have been driving the car since 2 weeks ago was stranded in a parking lot, would not start. Had the car towed home, tried to start it and started right up. Now service track light is on and anti lock brakes is on and service engine light is on sometime and the cruise light is on. Yesterday wife was driving the car and same thing no brakes, you could not push the pedal down it is as if there is something under the pedal it's that solid. My concern for my own safety as well as other monte carlo owners is most important. If either time we would have been on a expressway where we could not turn to a shoulder this would be catastrophic . Called the service manager where the car was purchased, also harbor chevy in michigan city, in and gates chevy in south bend, indiana, all said they have never heard of this before. Got on the internet and found similar posts in car complaints without any problem, seems odd gm does not know anything about this. For every ones own safety this should be a redundant system in older cars you would not lose all brakes. Could understand if you lost anti lock part but still could stop. This has to be a overlooked flaw in design and gm should be made to correct this before someone gets killed. If someones been killed by this how could they tell you that he lost his brakes? Thank you mike

Filed Dec 26, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 190,000 miles · PA · crash · fire · 1 injury

On september 24, 2015, my wife was driving our monte carlo. Unbeknownst to her the car began smoking underneath, causing loss of control with neither steering nor braking capability. Other drivers, noticing the smoke, were attempting to notify her of the impending fire. She was able to drive about another mile before losing control and crashing into a tree on my neighbor?s yard. The car became completely engulfed in flames and was destroyed. Were it not for several good samaritans, and police and fire personnel, she would have been killed. The following is a history of issues with this car, documented fully by service records from its purchase in 1998. 1.brake lights working intermittently or not at all. 2.turn signal failure. 3.unable to start due to short in electrical system. 4.wheel hub assembly replaced. 5.power steering pump replaced. 6.rear suspension (passenger's side) broken. 7.premature alternator failure. 8.premature brake replacement, I.e., pads, calipers, rotors. 9.total brake failure from hard braking (incident not connected with fire) 10.intake manifold gasket replaced due to coolant flowing into cylinders and crankcase. 11.premature radiator replacement. 12.electrical spike distributed through system when starting, causing full-scale deflection of instrumentation and lights to become extremely bright.

Filed Jul 31, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 90,250 miles · TX

While backing out of the driveway the ABS lite came on with warning bells along with the service traction light and trac turned off. Later as I was driving on freeway with these lights on it began to make a grinding noise. I pulled onto the service road and the brakes failed to stop the car so I blew thru the stop sign and pulled into a lot. I turned the car off and let it sit a few minutes. When I restarted I was able to return home with all the lights on. Since then the brakes have been serviced, the tie rod ends replaced, a number of failed repair attempts and $2000 later, same problem. After every trip to the mechanic and 500 plus dollars the problem comes back in about a month. This car often will not start, dead as a door nail. By leaving the key in the ignition, turning it to on and not touching anything for ten minutes, it will reset and start right up. Replacing starter does not solve problem.

Filed May 14, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 123,401 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that the traction control warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle. The failure was located at the tail light assembly wires. The tail light wiring was wired incorrectly and caused the brake light and the traction control to fail. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 123,401. Updated 6/6/12 *cn the consumer believed during assembly at the gm factory, the tail light/stop light wiring was improperly routed. On the left side, the wiring harness was wrapped around a mounting bolt and the right side, the wires were pinched between the sheet metal of the vehicle's body and the housing of the tail light assembly. Over time, the insulation on the wires became worn and caused a short and loss of brake light function. Updated 06/11/12

Filed May 15, 2010 · Brakes · 54,000 miles · MI

Having the common traction control and ABS problems with my 2003 monte ss. Cant believe this isn't part of a recall and only a tsb. At this point there doesn't seem to be an exact answer on what to have replaced to fix the problem. Just spend alot of money and hope you had the correct repair. Traction active comes on at slow speed and dry roads. Usually after backing up and then turning sharply. Anti locks have even engaged when they shouldn't. Again at slow speeds and dry roads. I'm appalled because I had the same problem with my chevy truck that caused me an accident. I'm very fearful of another accident. Gm had an investigator check my truck and they took responsibility for that brake failure. Going to try the wiring harness first and go from there I guess.

Filed May 14, 2008 · Brakes, Fuel system · 36,200 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stopped at a gas station and noticed that the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. Once he returned home, he noticed a large amount of brake fluid had leaked onto his driveway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the failure was due to the salt used on the roads during the winter. The contact had the service center order the parts to repair the failure. The failure mileage was 36,200 and current mileage was 36,646. Updated 6/2/08 *cn the brakes failed due to a rusted out brake line. The consumer stated the brake line should have been stainless steel. The gas line was also in the process of rusting.

Filed Jan 28, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · 9,000 miles · WV

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet monte carlo. While decelerating from 45 MPH, the brakes failed. The contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a guard rail. There were no injuries. The dealer cleaned the rotors and brakes; however, the vehicle continued to hesitate when attempting to stop. The manufacturer stated that the dealer should diagnose the failure. The current mileage was 31,498 and failure mileage was 9,000. Updated 02-19-08 *bf the consumer stated they did not hit the guard rail, there were limited brakes the vehicle pulled to the right. The consumer further stated this is the second incident and the remedy for the dealer is to machine the rotors, however the defect persists and pedal pulsates. The consumer stated after vehicle starts the starter stays engaged and A/C is inoperable. Updated 02/14/08

Filed Jul 14, 2005 · Brakes · 54,000 miles · AL

Dt: febuary of this year ABS traction sensor and brake system warning light illuminated. When backing iout of driveway or in normal driving at any given speed the brakes would grab and the traction active lights would illuminate. Took vehicle to a dealer, they said it was the left rear wheel hub sensor that failed, but could not duplicate problems consumer was having at that time. The dealer did not replace this, but did reset the sensor. When vehicle was driven away from dealer brakes still had the same problem. Within 24 hours the same issue was actived on the vehicle. Returneds to dealer, this time they replaced the left rear wheel hub sensor. About a month later this happened again. Did phone dealer about this. Consumer made another trip to the dealer, who noted again the left rear wheel sensor had gone bad again. Currently, car is again at the dealer for the 4th time for the same problem. The last occurrence was at a at stop sign, and when applying brake pressure discovered no brakes. Afterwards, immediately drove to dealership, where car is now. Also has had rotors resurfaced, and replaced rear brake pads as well during this process.

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Brakes · 34,000 miles · NJ

Consumer states: brakes failed, the brakes were fine all of a sudden brake pedal went to the floor. The brake line rusted completely. Brake lines were made out of cheap steel and were coated with some type of heavy paint. They only rusted in one spot, and that was on the portion of the brake line that was not coated in the heavy paint.*ak the brake line components were replaced. *tt

Filed Feb 16, 2005 · Suspension · 137,000 miles · MO · crash

While driving 35 MPH the front control arm and lower ball joints broke. As a result, the steering and brakes failed , and the vehicle collided into brick wall. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. No injuries reported. *ak *sc