Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
While driving the speed limit (70 MPH) down the interstate I-20 returning home from a weekend vacation, my car (1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo) had a slight putter and smoke started roaring out the rear. I pulled over, turned off the engine, popped the hood and flames were all over the backside of the engine. I called 911 to come put the fire out. No person was injured but my engine is totaled. The engine is completely burned up and melted.
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire near the engine. The vehicle was destroyed. No further details were available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 05/11/16
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for remedy repairs. In addition, there was oil leaking onto the engine, which the contact stated could potentially start a fire. The contact believed the issue should have been addressed in the recent recall because it was a safety issue. The current and failure mileages were approximately 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Consumer writes in regards to his disapproval of exhaust manifold recall notice removal of the engine plastic "beauty" cover. The consumer was advised the recall included removing the beauty cover. The consumer stated the recall notice does say that the cover will be removed, but does not state that it wouldn't be returned. Updated 10/10/2017
1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Consumer writes in regards to engine compartment fire recall notice and seeks reimbursement. The consumer stated the vehicle caught fire, prior to receiving the recall notice. The vehicle was taken to a junk yard.
The vehicle has an internal coolant leak within the engine compartment. The leak occurred because the intake manifold gasket was made with a thin material which disintegrated and created an orange slug in the engine, per the dealership.
Related recalls
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.
Engine complaints in other Monte Carlo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 20% of the model year's 100 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-701 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Oct 26, 2015); NHTSA recall 09V-116 (engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 129,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 5 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.