Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
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 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
Takata recall. I spoke to a representative at GM asking about the recall of my vehicle and said my warranty was expired. I just recently bought the car from another person so how I was suppose to know about the cars recall. The problem with the car is the ignition switch whenever I rotate it to turn it on it does not start. I would have to rotate it slowly to the start and as well let it go slowly for it to start. So its not functioning properly. I want to file a complaint to GM for I can get my car fix since it could be caused of my death and the death of other civilians that are near my car whenever it gives up or even worst.
There is a clicking noise when I turn the wheel, and I checked everything in the wheel and it all looked okay...so it must be in the steering... Ive read up on it and people are saying its the intermediate steering shaft.
After complaining for 5 years to a dealer and car manufacturer about a clanking noise in the steering column, I brought the car to a private mechanic, who determined the car was dangerous, and the manufacturers knew there was a steering column defect in a lot of their cars, so they were quietly fixing the problem, but only when customers complained. I called the manufacturer and brought the car to a dealer again, and they said there was little or no defect. However, when I told them what my mechanic said they agreed there was a problem and the car was dangerous, steering could fail at any moment. Then, they agreed to fix the problem at a large cost to myself. According to my private mechanic and various on-line resources this was a wide scale problem , and the manufacturers were trying to avoid negative publicity. In the process, they were putting the public at risk. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the steering shaft on the vehicle failed. The steering made a noise that the dealer was unable to duplicate. The dealer stated that the hub May have been affecting the steering. The hub was replaced at the cost of $3,000 at the contact's expense. The failure became louder and more frequent when making sharp turns. The dealer stated that the driver's side hub needed to be replaced for the second time within a year. They stated that the passenger side hub also failed. The dealer later determined that the steering shaft was the true cause of the failure. There was a recall issued by doorman products regarding the steering shaft, but it only pertained to aftermarket or replacement steering shafts. The contact was not the original owner of the vehicle and could not determine if the steering shaft was previously repaired. …
Series of high cost repairs at my expense with no warranty: driver infomation center has always been wrong and inaccurate and unfixable; at 24446 miles, replaced front rotors at my expense (; ac at 30825 worked intermittenly and battery light indicator stayed on and serpentine belt worn out (replaced with after market brand ($90) that has lasted perfectly at almost 80,000 miles; engine coolant leak notice by Chevrolet on July 2003 fixed on 7/30-03 at 58009miles; at 34607 vibration from intermid. Steering shaft and bushing replaced ($60); vibration back at 75,000miles and they would not fix it; chev diagnosis on 7/8/04 for left rear wheel speed sensor needs left rear wheel hub assembly (ABS brakes will not work and not fixed, $700) and turn signals work intermittenly (not fixed) and ac compressor leaking (not fixed, $900), and driver seat power seat heater defective (not fixed, $230).
Steering column vibration: at 16562 miles dealer found dry intermediate steering shaft and performed bulletin#01-02-32-001b(lubricated intermediate steering shaft).now at 33678 miles the problem is back.the fact that there is a service bulletin on this problem tells me that general motors is aware of this problems and as a result of searching this web sight I have found that I'm not the only one who has complained about this problem. This problem also is evident in the 2001 Chevrolet impola which is almost mechanically identical to the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.because this problem concerns the steering of the vehicle general motors should recall these cars and fix the problem before it causes injury or death.
I purchased this car in 09/01 it has been a problem ever since. Front end needed to be rebuilt at 1200 miles and then again at 2000 miles. Air conditioner has been a constant problem (I was told I needed to park some place else) the manifold gaskets had to be replaced at 48000 miles and now the wiper switch has gone bad. The front end feels real bad, but they claim there is nothing wrong. Just waiting for the front end to fall out from underneath the car on a hot, rainy, July morning. I'm going back to Ford. Oh yeah forgot, paint went bad 1 year after I bought it. GM says I drove through something.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact noticed that the steering column was extremely loose and he heard a grinding metal noise. He took the vehicle to a dealer on two occasions and they replaced and lubricated the steering shaft twice. One year later, the failure recurred with the steering shaft. The contact is in the process of having an identical repair made to the vehicle. The manufacturer did not assist. The failure mileage was 37,902 and current mileage was 49,000. Updated 10-30-08 updated 11/03/08.
Steering complaints in other Monte Carlo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 14% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is column (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.