Fuel System complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 2% | 160,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% | 51,000 miles |
| 2005 | 9 | 8% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 3% | 65,000 miles |
| 2002 | 18 | 8% | 119,000 miles |
| 2001 | 20 | 7% | 119,000 miles |
| 2000 | 28 | 12% | 117,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 3% | 189,000 miles |
| 1998 | 9 | 9% | 39,000 miles |
| 1997 | 13 | 8% | 118,000 miles |
| 1996 | 17 | 11% | 148,000 miles |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car has a strong gas odor particularly in colder weather. I noticed it last winter and it went away during the summer. Now that the temps are getting cooler, it has started again. I turn on the heat and have to drive with the windows down for ventilation. I've had three different mechanic shops check it out. None have been able to find the cause. It is embarrassing in the school car rider line or in a drive through. Someone always comments on it. I am worried it May catch fire.
I began having trouble with this car a few months after I purchased it. I can't drive the car at night with the lights on bright, because when I do the lights shut completely off and the only way to get them to come back on is to flip the dimmer switch. I have been on the interstate and highway both, driving the posted speed limit when this has happened. This problem, in my opinion is a big hazard and very unsafe. I had to have the cruise control switch replaced, the instrument panel replaced, because it failed completely while I was going on vacation, I had no idea how much gas was in my car or what speed I was going all gauges were out of whack. The car smells like gasoline, I've taken this to the dealer auto repair shop, they claim they can't find the problem, even though they could smell the gas both on the outside and inside of car. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While the vehicle was parked the contact turned the steering wheel and heard a clicking sound in the steering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing who stated the steering knuckles detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. NHTSA recall campaign id number: 09e005000 (steering) May be related to the failure. The contact also noticed fuel leaking from the fuel regulator that could be associated with NHTSA recall campaign number: 07e021000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices); however, the recall was for an after market pressure regulator. The contact confirmed that the vehicle had original parts. The manufacturer was made aware of both failures and stated the VIN was not included in either recall. The vehicle was not repaired. …
We have had hardship due to job lost and major car maintenance that could have been avoided and should have been resolved before we purchase the vehicle doing a recall on March 12,2007 fuel system. We purchase feb 2008 and fuel system failure started in 2010 and cost a lot of money!! When u pull up the VIN number you will see this had not been done and it was in carmax possession and cost me and my son because this was not handle!!! I am so angry about what carmax is doing to my credit and my son due to alot money paid out on recall work in which we were never notified about the recalls we purchase this car in feb 2008 I can show receipts and get the man name [redacted] a license mechanic to come forward this is horrific to know carmax contribute to our struggles maintaining and paying out alot of money into work that was under recalls and took away from having the money to pay the car …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo .the contact stated that while jump starting the battery, it caused a combustible fire which damaged the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where they diagnosed that the fuel pressure regulator was faulty. An authorized dealer was informed of the failure and they stated that there were no recalls and would not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 147,000.
My car has the engine 3.1 L automatic. On January 4, I was going to go run errands so I went out to my car and cranked it to start the engine but instead, I heard a loud explosion, causing the front tires of the car to go up in the air and then land back on the ground. Smoke started coming out from the hood and a fire almost got started. I was scared to half to death causing me to almost have a heart attack. Morning inspection, I found that the intake manifold had exploded on the car and pieces of it were all over the engine. I feel that the pressure regulator may have been the culprit, but the plastic upper intake just literally blew up. Nobody was injured neighbors came out to see what the explosion had been, the window on my windshield cracked and major damage has been done to the Plenum. I have pictures but I've been unable to upload them but they are available. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving 2 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact observed flames under the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. The fire department stated that the fire occurred due to a fuel leak. Prior to the fire, there were no leaks present. The contact also stated that the fire occurred after the vehicle was fueled. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a case manager would be assigned to the case. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
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.
Related recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line.
Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel pressure regulators with improved diaphragms. The recall will be conducted in phased mailings. Phase 1 began on June 30, 2004, and phase 2 began on September 30, 2004.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Monte Carlo years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (28), 2001 (20), 2002 (18), 1996 (17) and 1997 (13) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Monte Carlo fuel system problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 04V-090 (delivery, Feb 24, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Monte Carlo fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 108,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the fuel injection system (12 mentions), followed by the storage › tank assembly (11).
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.