Most common 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Share of the 276 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 →
2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo recalls (5)
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.
Electrical system › Ignition
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
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.
Air bags
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag sensing and diagnostic modules (sdm) could experience a memory error resulting in the air bags not deploying in a crash situation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the sensing and diagnostic module.
Seat belts
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, light duty trucks, sport utility vehicles, and Mini vans equipped with trw seat belt buckle assemblies. The buckle base of these seat belt assemblies were not properly heat treated and therefore do not pass the load bearing requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's safety belt buckle assembly date codes and, if necessary, will replace any safety belt buckle assembly.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo:
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 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners say
Engine & cooling all 95 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that when she started her vehicle, she heard a loud boom from under the hood. The ignition was turned off and there was smoke coming from the hood. The hood was opened and a fire was discovered. The contact got a fire extinguisher and was able to put out the fire. The police and fire department were not called and no reports were filed. There were no injuries reported. The contact called the dealer future Chevrolet of sacramento (4811 madison ave, sacramento, ca 9584[phone]) and they suggested that the vehicle be towed over so they could inspect it for the cause of the fire. The vehicle had a NHTSA campaign number: 09v-116000 (engine and engine cooling) that May have contributed to the vehicle catching on fire. The contact had not moved the vehicle over to the dealer yet. …
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 NHTSA 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. …
Electrical system all 77 →
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 NHTSA 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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the key was difficult to turn over to start the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and, upon further inspection under the hood, it was noticed that there was a fire near the engine compartment which burned various components. The parts that fractured ejected from the vehicle in flames. The driver did not sustain any injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact was able to get a fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for further inspection. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.
Steering all 38 →
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 NHTSA 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 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo I purchased in February, 2001 has had serious and numerous defects since I purchased the car two years ago. The transmission, engine, caliphers, and breaks have each been repaired by the dealer at least twice. On feb.15, 2003, the key got stuck in the ignition of the car, and because the car was then out of warranty, I was forced to pay $406.00 for a repair of the vehicle. On February 20th, 2003, the car started leaking oil and the transmission "jumps" from the parking gear into drive whenever it is turned on. I am asking that the GM manufacturer. The compalints on this vehicle are ongoing. The date indicated below is only the date of the latest incident with this car. To repurchase the vehicle for the monthly payments and interest I have already paid
2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 29 / 22 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 28 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo a good car?
Based on 276 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Monte Carlo rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Monte Carlo at the same age. It is one of the Monte Carlo years we suggest avoiding. 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 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
The engine & cooling — 95 complaints, 34% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (77) and steering (38).
How many recalls does the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2001 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 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 77,000 miles; 30% 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.