1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  9
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  7
• Cooling system
  5
• Engine › Gasoline
  4
• Cooling system › Radiator assembly
  1
• Exhaust system
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  15%
• 25k–50k
  314%
• 50k–75k
  314%
• 75k–100k
  941%
• 100k–150k
  314%
• 150k+
  314%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal odor coming into the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. It was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. 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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that after turning the ignition key to start the engine, an explosion occurred under the hood. The contact discovered that during the incident the intake manifold and the top of the engine were severely damaged. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 148,551.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that there was a leak coming from under the hood that was getting progressively worst. The leak would create a puddle on the floor. The contact also stated that upon turning the key in the vehicle, it started smoking. The vehicle was inspected by the contact who noticed that engine oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. The contact later received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine) and was to schedule a recall repair appointment once the parts became available. The contact was unable to determine when the vehicle would be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I was at a friends for several hours proceeding incident. I drove my 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo z34 about 1 mile from my friends to taco bell. The car had been running great. I went inside to order I was in their 10-15 minutes. When I came out smoke was coming from under the hood. I opened the hood and the top of the engine was on fire. Taco bell employees called 911 and then provided a fire extinguisher. The fire was put out by the extinguisher and they cancelled the 911 call. I called a tow company and had the car towed home due to the hour and my engine being melted.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. After refueling the vehicle, the contact noticed fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. In addition, the front driver and passenger side power windows and the air conditioner failed to function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced and the air conditioning unit needed to be recharged. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure with the air conditioner recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that there was a burning oil odor emitting from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 153,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

My 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo ls, engine 3100 v-6, has needed a particularly expensive repair twice. This repair was to fix a coolant leak near/on the intake manifold gasket. The first repair (at 52,000 miles) was done under warranty, the second (at 90,000 miles) was done at a local service station because the car was no longer under warranty. With this problem, the coolant leaks out fairly quickly, and could cause an engine fire if the engine gets too hot, also the coolant is flammable. This problem was the subject of a recall of several GM models with 2000 to 2002 model year cars (Chevy, Pontiac, etc) with the 3100 and 3800 engine models. However, the 1999 models have not been recalled, and my car with I know many others have the same problems with the same engine parts as the 2000 to 2002 model year cars. I paid the second repair at my own expense of approximately $825. …

We were preparing to take a long trip and took our 1999 Monte Carlo into our mechanic for a pre-trip once-over. He just called and informed us that the radiator was almost empty and that there is a leak in the intake manifold gasket, it can (and will) be fixed for a cost of $750.00. Our mechanic has a small shop and he has fixed the same problem at least once a month on GM products with a 3.1 liter engine, he just had a Buick last week with the identical problem. Doesn't anybody else see this as an issue that GM needs to take some kind of action about?? We would have been livid if this car had broken down in the desert on the way to las vegas!! We were really happy with this vehicle, but now plan to sell it and we will be looking for something witout a recurring problem of this magnitude!

Vehicle has a 3.1l v6 engine that was leaking coolant as a result of a cracked intake manifold gasket. I was told by my mechanic that they are replacing this gasket on at least one vehicle a week. And they are just a small shop. The first problem I noticed with this vehicle was a slow leak in the cooling system. This occurred in the summer of 2002. Later in the year, I noticed coolant on the garage floor and thought perhaps the radiator was leaking. When I took the car in to be repaired on December 16, 2002, it had 51,223 miles on it. The cost of just repairing the intake manifold gasket was $482.21 plus tax, for a total of $512.35.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Monte Carlo years