Tl* the contact owned a 2001 chevrolet monte carlo. While driving 35 MPH, another motorist informed the contact that flames were coming from the front of her vehicle. While pulling off the roadway the steering wheel locked and all power was lost. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Two weeks prior to the failure, a diagnostic test was performed but no failure codes were found. The contact also mentioned that she received a recall notification for a key fob, but not the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v70100 (engine and engine cooling). The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire report and a police report were filed. The contact received medical treatment for elevated carbon monoxide in the blood and post traumatic stress disorder. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The recall details for the key fob were not provided. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. Updated 06/28/17*lj updated 9/28/18
Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering lock-up problems
12 of the 2,120 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Monte Carlo describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 65,000
By model year
- 20041
- 20031
- 20011
- 20002
- 19976
- 19951
Often reported together
Engine failure 2Brake failure 2No deployment 2Stalling 1Fuel gauge 1Fire or smoke 1Ball joint 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number:14v400000 (electrical system); however, while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the power steering seized. Also the entire warning panel illuminated and all electrical power seized. The failure occurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 7/29/15*cn the consumer stated the vehicle would also buck like it was about to stall. The consumer discontinued driving the vehicle. Updated 11/13/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the accelerator pedal became unresponsive and the steering wheel seized causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle and crash. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the back, neck and the head that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.
While driving 55 MPH steering wheel locked up. Consumer tried to unlock it but was unable to do so. Consumer applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor. Consumer lost control of the vehicle, and hit a median steel barrier. Then, vehicle rolled three times and landed upside down on the highway. Upon impact, both frontal airbag did not deploy. Driver sustained neck and back injuries and was transported by ambulance, to the hospital. Vehicle was totaled.
When making a left turn, the steering wheel locked up. The dealer has been contacted. The dealer is replaced the rack and pinion. *jb
When turning the steering wheel towards the left, the steering locked up, which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. *ak the rack and pinion was replaced *jb
Vehicle continuously experienced an electrical system failure. As a result, there'was an electrical shut down which resulted in the engine dying/ steering wheel locking up, and loss of brake power.
While driving, the steering wheel lock up without warning. Dealer notified.*ak the power steering gear and tie rod was replaced. *ts
Power steering locked up when making a left turn. At first it happen with my son driving, was fine one day, and like something broke the next. I took my car to my mechanic, they said they have seen 3 monto carlo's that month having the same problem. I have owned numerous vehicles in my life and have never had this kind of problem. It is a very dangerous situation. Then when driving it to my mechanic, thank god my son was in the car with me, and helped me muscle the car through the turn, or there would have been a serious accident. Also the gas gauge has never given a accurate reading. When my mechanic told me they had been seeing a lot of monte carlos with this problem, it alerted me that there must be a serious problem with the power steering, and I starting checking the recalls, and sure enough, gm has recalled 96 - 98's chevrolet luminas, which is a sister car to the monto carlo, the only major difference between these two cars is the body style coupe (2 door) to sedan (four door). They have the same mechanical working parts. Hopefully they'll get the monte carlo recalled soon before there are serious consequences.
While driving 15mph, steering wheel locked up. *ak vehicle would not turn from left to right, consumer had to stop to unlock steering.
Related recalls
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
Questions about the Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering lock-up
Which Chevrolet Monte Carlo years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (6 complaints), 2000 (2 complaints) and 1995 (1 complaints).
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