Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At driving the speed of 30 miles per hour, going around a bend, there was a popping noise, I then lost control of the steering and had no brakes. Trying to steer the car left around the bend the car proceeded to go straight. Causing the car to go up the driveway apron through a yard lodging the car into a shrub ,stopping 5 inches from going into a garge. I had the car towed to metro Chevrolet, was contacted by dealer saying it sounded like a mechanical error. Again contacted by the service department, the next day saying the car was driven over a curb, or hit something. I explained the car went through the driveway apron, did not hit curb, and resting on a shrub will not cause the damage that it substained. Dealer refused to take responibility. I proceeded to take pitcures of the sceen of the accident, showing the path of the car. …
About October 10th, 2017 I was coming up on a traffic light and when I applied the brakes, the pedal would not go down. I was going about 45 MPH by the grace of god I was able to blast through an intersection and miss everyone, everything!. Rattled I guess I shut the car off when I regained my composer I started the car and everything was fine. I did not want to believe this happened! I thought I did something wrong maybe had my foot under the brake pedal or something. Have been driving the car since 2 weeks ago was stranded in a parking lot, would not start. Had the car towed home, tried to start it and started right up. Now service track light is on and anti lock brakes is on and service engine light is on sometime and the cruise light is on. …
2002 Monte Carlo ss started: at about 13000 miles started vibrating when braking. Took it in to the dealership at about 15000 miles and they said the rotors needed to be turned. I paid for that to be done. At about 28,000 again started vibrating while braking. Took it to a brake specialist and he said the rotors needed replacing. Called the dealership and they said they could not pay for this to be done (not in warranty coverage) so we had the outside specialist put on rotors with a 50,000 mile warranty. I see many other folks have this same problem. Why does GM not cover this? I thought when I bought a new vehicle I wouldn't have to sink more money into repairs until after the 36,000 warranty was up. Hope GM straightens this out. I was looking at a used 2001 grand am for my daughter but I see there are many of the same complaints on that vehicle. …
Dt: since buying the vehicle the consumer had a problem with the rotors. They have been replaced twice. While braking the rotors caused the steering wheel to shake violently. Took vehicle to the dealer for a third time yesterday. The dealer said this was an issue with the lamination on the rotors. The consumer did not have rotors replaced because he was afraid he would be charged for the repair as well the dealer placing the same type of rotors that have been rusting in the past. The mechanic noted air bubbles in the casting in the rotors which the caused the rusting. When the vehicle was driven at speeds of 60 MPH or even 30 MPH, the consumer noticed pulsation in the brake pedal, however, when approaching exit ramps and when more pressure was applied to the pedal, a more severe pulsation would cause the steering wheel to vibrate violently. …
While backing out of the driveway the ABS lite came on with warning bells along with the service traction light and trac turned off. Later as I was driving on freeway with these lights on it began to make a grinding noise. I pulled onto the service road and the brakes failed to stop the car so I blew thru the stop sign and pulled into a lot. I turned the car off and let it sit a few minutes. When I restarted I was able to return home with all the lights on. Since then the brakes have been serviced, the tie rod ends replaced, a number of failed repair attempts and $2000 later, same problem. After every trip to the mechanic and 500 plus dollars the problem comes back in about a month. This car often will not start, dead as a door nail. By leaving the key in the ignition, turning it to on and not touching anything for ten minutes, it will reset and start right up. …
Dt: the contact was under the impression that she purchased a brand new vehicle. She experienced several problems since the purchase of this vehicle. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership three times ,and no corrections have been made. The dealer discovered the rotors were bent, and brakes leak fluid. The vehicle stalled, and shook terribly. The air bags were fell out of the dashboard. The seat belts on the driver's side intermittently worked. The dealership insisted there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. She contacted the attorney general's office regarding the lemon laws. She attempted to get the dealership to take the vehicle back, but they will not offer any assistance. The vehicle was no longer under warranty even though it had only 10,000 miles on it at this time.
I was driving (with my children in car) and the car just shut off. I had no power brakes or power steering. Luckily, one child was in drivers ed & knew to put car in neutral & we coasted to a stop. Once I calmed down, I drove my Monte ss to the dealer and described what happened. The kept car for a week and insisted there was nothing wrong! I drive 1-3 hrs for work daily and I didn't trust the vehicle on interstate. I purchased another vehicle 6 days later but gave this car to my child for in town driving. I was never the wiser until I heard about the recall yesterday & it's description. The Monte should be involved in recall too. I was preparing to purchase a new impala but now I believe GM is still not being honest about all the makes & models involved with ignition problems.
I own a lemon of a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo ss. Nothing but problems since I bought it last year. Steering column problems, cost $200.00 to fix, catalytic converter replaced, covered by warranty thank god. Today it is in the shop again for leaky gasket and wheel bearing/ hub replacement which is costing another $500.00. This was bad because the ABS breaks didn't always work which was scary since I wondered when they were going to give out totally and I would be in an accident. The transmission solenoid also needed to be replaced which cost us another $700.00. Is there any help for us? I wonder what will be next with this car, it is a nice looking car, but it sucks mechanically!! Please help! Any suggestions?
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While braking from 40 MPH, the vehicle made a loud clicking noise. The vehicle was difficult to brake and the pedal extended to the floorboard when depressed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection and the tires were rotated and the brakes were inspected, however, the failure continued. The dealer stated that her VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 04V287000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 64,000 and failure mileage was 62,000.
I have a 2002 Monte Carlo ss. Without warning the ABS light came on. Notified dealer and they said was OK to drive until they could look at it. Turned out to be a sensor as they thought. The problem was fixed but at significant cost. GM has designed the sensor such that it is part of the hub, so the whole thing had to be replaced. Instead of $200 I had to pay $775. At 46000 miles I would not expect this. I have had other vehicles with ABS with over 100000 miles and never had the first problem.
Brake complaints in other Monte Carlo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 16% of the model year's 230 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, though it has 4 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 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.