Problems · by component

2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems

38 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo cite engine, 16% of all 243 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
38
16% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
17
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“THE CAR'S FUEL GAGE STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR WOULDN'T TURN OVER WHEN I STARTED IT SO I GOT A NEW BATTERY SINCE IT SAID MY OLD ONE WAS BAD, BUT IT'S STILL NOT WORKING. THE SECURITY LIGHT IS ON AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY AND IF THIS IS AFFECTING IT FROM TURNING ON”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 11, 2019Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11207045
“2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FAILURE AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR ENGINE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHEN OIL GOT ONTO THE ENGINE AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONSUMER HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL UNTIL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. *JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 8, 2017EngineODI 10955888
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2017EngineFire reportedODI 10990882
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE BACK COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,571.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 15, 2016EngineODI 10926128
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2016Fuel system, gasoline, EngineFire reportedODI 10855363
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 21, 2016EngineODI 10850863

Showing 6 of 38 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.