2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Cooling system
  8
• Engine › Gasoline
  4
• Engine
  4
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  3
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  1
• Exhaust system
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  36%
• 25k–50k
  1020%
• 50k–75k
  918%
• 75k–100k
  48%
• 100k–150k
  1327%
• 150k+
  1020%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, when the vehicle began to smoke both inside the vehicle and under the hood of the vehicle without warning. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and exited the vehicle along with all the other occupants. A fire started under the hood of the vehicle. The contact attempted to put out the fire however, was unable to lift the hood of the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The two occupants received smoke inhalation and slight burns to their arms. No medical attention was needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, fumes of smoke emitted from the hood before it caught on fire. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact extinguished the fire. No fire report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an offer to buy the vehicle was given but the contact declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part for the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to smoke under the hood and stalled without warning. The contact stated that the engine caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and a police report was filed for the incident. The contact stated there were no injuries that required medical attention. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) after the failure occurred. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 225,000. The VIN was not available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle jerked and the computer turned on and off as smoke emitted under the hood. The contact extinguished the fire. A police and a fire report were not filed and there were no injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in 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 failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

As the NHTSA is aware, GM has recently issued a third recall for leaking valve cover gaskets that have started fires in this same vehicle. By sheer coincidence on the same day that GM announced this third recall I paid my mechanic over $300.00 to replace these valve cover gaskets and I want GM to reimburse me for this. It was posing a fire hazard and we transport our young grandchildren in this vehicle. I have repeatedly asked GM why I never received any recall notices relative to the leaking valve covers. They have not answered this question. I want GM to reimburse me for this repair.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. When the vehicle was started, the contact heard a loud popping sound. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire from the engine compartment. The fire department was notified and was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries and a fire report was not filed. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a strong burning fuel odor was present inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 193,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Whenever the vehicle was started, a burning odor was noticed from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact took the vehicle in for the recall repair and informed the dealer of the burning odor; however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 147,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Went to start car one day. Turned key and heard loud pop. Rushed to lift good and top of motor on fire. Luckily had extinguisher right inside garage door and immediately extinguished. Plastic intake cover was blown apart in multiple pieces. After searching on the internet I found there have been many of this same incident, somewhere claiming that it comes from a faulty fuel shift of valve or something. If you notice with low miles, this car is barely driven and always babied.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While adding engine oil to the vehicle, smoke fumes appeared before the engine suddenly caught fire. The contact extinguished the fire. There were no reports filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,356.

Related recalls

Engine complaints in other Monte Carlo years