Most common 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Share of the 100 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Monte Carlo complaints by model year
Best Monte Carlo years: 2007, 2003, 1998. Years to avoid: 2001. Compare all years →
1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
Steering › Rack and pinion
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM conducted a safety recall (NHTSA # 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…
Degraded braking performance
There is no summary currently available
Power rack and pinion steering failure
GM's letter to NHTSA dated December 11, 2003, expands its original recall (NHTSA 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…
Engine compartment fires
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…
What 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners say
Brakes all 24 →
On June 1, 2000 I was going to work, while driving down the highway I realized I was going a little faster than the speed limit and pressed the brakes. At that point in time my 1998 Monte Carlo ls veered to the left and I had no control. The car went through the median to oncoming traffic before I regained control. The marks on the road were felt to show that my brake system had locked up. (I do have the police report and pictures of the scene).
Consumer states while traveling 40 MPH when depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle highdroplaned into a ditch as a result. Ph consumer complained previously of delayed stopping especially in wet weather.
Engine & cooling all 20 →
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. …
On September 24, 2015, my wife was driving our Monte Carlo. Unbeknown 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. All documentation is available for review.
Steering
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. …
At approximately 4 pm I was driving with three other people in my car on the street in the south saint louis county(railroad crossing weber rd and close to new hampshire) and we were going across the railroad, when all functions of my car died and the brakes .steering. Engine , all went off and I got scared but in the heat of the moment I pulled my emergency break and pulled the car to a stop. All these happened on a very well paved street., and all happened just when I crossed the railroad tracks. I was very frighten as well all the people in my car. I was wondering if any of this that happened to my car has to do with the recalls that happened with GM ignition switches. I also talk to my friend and he said that he used to have a Chevy lumina 1995 and same thing happened to him on a highway in south saint louis and he did same thing and no one got hurt. …
1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo a good car?
Based on 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Monte Carlo rates average: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Monte Carlo at the same age. It is one of the best Monte Carlo years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
The brakes — 24 complaints, 24% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the engine & cooling (20) and steering (16).
How many recalls does the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, the most recent from October 26, 2015 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2003 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001. See the full Chevrolet Monte Carlo years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 87,000 miles; 37% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.