2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Fuel System Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  00%
• 25k–50k
  215%
• 50k–75k
  18%
• 75k–100k
  18%
• 100k–150k
  431%
• 150k+
  538%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While attempting to start the vehicle, the contact heard an exploding noise coming from the engine compartment. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed smoke and realized that the intake manifold had exploded. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the intake manifold and fuel pressure regulator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Engine backfired and exploded upon ignition after sitting for a week. Engine was cold and in cold weather. 3 foot flames, minor burns and injuries sustained er visit for smoke inhalation while extinguishing fire. Vehicle was parked on private property. A neighbor's car the same make and model similar year did the same thing a few weeks ago.

I got into the vehicle to go to church Sunday with my mother-in-law. I turned the key in the ignition and there was an explosion from under the hood that made the hood jump and some smoke came out of the sides. It scared my mother-in-law half to death. Our company mechanic checked the engine and determined the intake had exploded. He checked on-line as to a probable cause and discovered there was a recall on various Pontiac, Buick and Chevy vehicles with 3.8l engines due to intake explosions due to faulty fuel pressure regulators. In some cases it seems to have bent a fuel rail and pulled an injector out of the head, which it looks to have done to mine also. He towed the vehicle to the dealership and they told him there were 3 recalls listed for this car and that was not one of them. One of the listed recalls was for the ignition which we took it in for and it still sticks. …

I purchased a 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo ss in 9-01. I did not realize until recently the engine was built 2000. I would not have purchased. My car has had multiple problems. The recent occurred July 20th 2019. My odometer is 117,166 original miles. The intake manifolds and upper intake manifold is all made of a plastic. I went to start my car which has been running fine. Around 6-7:00 pm I heard a loud boom. It startled me and my nieghbors even came out. I noticed smoke coming from the front drivers side. I popped the hood and flames were shooting straight up the firewall onto the inside hood. I immediately screamed get me water and noticed the fire extinguisher. I smashed the glass grabbed it and began to put out the fire. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving 60 MPH, the temperature and fuel gauges displayed incorrect readings. In addition, the low coolant warning light illuminated even though there was coolant in the vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 163,000. Updated 09/20/16 the consumer stated if the vehicle sat for two days, the battery was drain and die. His mechanic stated it was due to an electrical problem. Also ,the rear defroster did not work, the fan switch did not work right away, and the turn signal light did not work unless he tapped the dashboard, and the transmission shifted hard. Updated 10/13/16.

I was driving at highway speeds and the temp gauge droppef to zero, air conditioning stopped working, and car began to struggle. I pulled the car off the highway to see if was dumping coolant put. Took the vehicle to the shop and he new what was wrong because a lot of these cars come in with the problem. I had to have the timing cover replaced and the ect sensor. The mechanic said this happens often as GM cars have these issues. Was also told it looked as if the car overheated and was lucky it didn't blow up on the highway and cause an accident.

Car would not start again, raised hood and proceeded to attach jump cables, and at the moment just before attachment, my daughter turns the key and wow, what an explosion! I was injured very bad the whole center of the motor was all over my driveway and I was thrown away from the car. Over 25,000 in medical bills and months of disability and still seeking medical attention to this day.

Upon attempting to start my car, the engine made a loud bang and saw some smoke coming out from the sides of the hood. I then noticed in the reflection of some water on the street and orange glow. I got out of the car, saw fire under the car, and called 911.

After charging the battery l then started the car an had a back fire. When the car back fired it blew out the intake manifold an there was a lot of smoke . Was wondering if ther was a recall on the fuel pump pressure regulater . Which could be the cause of it .

6/2003 - fuel pump replaced. 9/2004 cool pressure test found inter gasket leaking - replaced upper & lower internal gaskets; low cool sensor replaced. 12/2004 - missing on incline and with cruise - nothing found. 11/2005 - missing on accel, using lots of gas - wanted to replace plugs, etc. 2/2006 - missing on incline and cruise - nothing found. 6/2008 - numerous issues - BCM replaced. 7/2008 - after BCM replaced, dash lights , cruise indicator, heat and A/C did not function properly - dealer stated there would be cost to fix items even though they worked prior to replacement of BCM. 9/29/2011 - learned about "special policy adjustment-catalytic converter #05551(9/14/2005)" although I was never advised by dealer and did not receive notification. …

NHTSA investigations

Fuel System complaints in other Monte Carlo years