1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED BELOW HAS OCCURRED ON 3 PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.(1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE - "DEX COOL" COOLANT LEAK FROM INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. 2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES - LOSS OF COOLANT LEADING TO ENGINE OVERHEATING OR FAILURE. (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED (AND IF OLD PART IS AVAILABLE) - GM STARTED USING "DEX-COOL" EXTENDED LIFE COOLANT IN 1996 IT DIDN'T TEST THE LONG TERM AFFECTS ON IT'S EXISTING GASKET TECHNOLOGY. ONE ARTICLE I READ STATED "IT APPEARS THAT ON SOME ENGINES, THE USE OF CONVENTIONAL PLASTIC-AND-RUBBER GASKETS IN COMBINATION WITH MORE AGGRESSIVE OAT (ORGANIC ACID TECHNOLOGY) ENGINE COOLANTS HAS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF SEALING RELATED ISSUES FOR CONSUMERS AND AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE PROVIDERS", SAID FEL-PRO CHIEF ENGINEER JERRY ROSENQUIST -- PER P://WWW.THEAUTOCHANNEL.COM/NEWS/2004/10/14/252583.HTML. DEX-COOL IS AN OAT COOLANT MANUFACTURED BY TEXACO FOR GM. OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT GM INTAKE GASKET LEAKS AND IT SEEMS MORE LIKELY THAT THE COOLANT, RATHER THAN THE GASKET ITSELF, IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM.*AK

Incident Jan 14, 2005

ROUGH IDLE, RANDOM MISFIRES, STRONG ODOR WHEN MISFIRE OCCURS, FLUCTUATING GAS GAUGE. *AK

Incident Jan 14, 2001

DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK (THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE) I HAD TO STOP TO ADD COOLANT IN ORDER TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. HAD I NOT NOTICED THE PROBLEM THIS POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER GETTING TO A SAFE LOCATION I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR. ALSO, AS I STATED ABOVE THIS IS MY FOURTH TIME DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE; IN ADDITION, I KNOW OF PERSONALLY 3 OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ENGINE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY TOO HAVE CHANGED THE INTAKE GASKET SEVERAL TIMES.*AK

Incident Mar 18, 2004

I HAD TO REPLACE THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET DUE TO ANTIFREEZE LEAK, AND NOW THE HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE.*AK

Incident Nov 18, 2003

RACK AND PINION HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 5 TIMES. EACH TIME CAUSES METAL SHAVINGS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING. *CB

Incident Jan 14, 2004

BRAKES DO NOT WORK DURING INCLIMATE WEATHER. LOSES A QUART OF OIL PER 500 MILES. BLOWS BY SMOKE THROUGH EXHAUST WHEN STARTING.

Incident Aug 15, 2003

THE RADIATOR LOOKED DIRTY AND SLIMY AFTER HAVING IT FLUSHED. SINCE THEN THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING HOT AND LEAKING ANTIFREEZE. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE "HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN."*AK

Incident Dec 23, 2003

DEFECTIVE TIMING BELT - TIMING BELT FAILS COMPLETELY AT 25,700 MILES, LESS THAN HALF THE MILEAGE LISTED IN OWNER DOCUMENTATION (60000 MILES, NO TIME GIVEN). FAILURE AT HIGHER SPEEDS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE FUNCTION. *LA

Incident Nov 19, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Incident Sep 29, 2003

REOCURRING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN EVEN 100 MILES THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF BECAUSE IT WONT PASS INSPECTION. THE EMISSION SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR WE'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SYSTEM AND THE WINDOWS KEPT GOING OFF TRACK. AS OF NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. I CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED SINCE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH "CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE" AND I'M ON PERMANENT DISABILITY THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY.

Incident Mar 6, 2002

THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKED FLUID WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENGINE OVER HEATING. *JB

I OWN A 1996 Z34 WITH 78000 MILES ON IT. IN THE LAST MONTH MY ANTI LOCK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON IN THE DASH ALSO THE LOW TRACK WOULD COME ON SOMETIMES I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER YESTERDAY 5-2-03 TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, THEY FOUND COMPUTER SCAN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH OPEN. LEFT REAR SENSOR, LEFT REAR EXCESSIVE SPEED VARIATION, LEFT REAR OPEN SHORT THEY ORDERED A LEFT REAR HUB AND SENSOR AT MY COST I HAD TO PAY UP FRONT 469.19 FOR THE PART TO BE ORDERED ALSO 65.00 FOR THE LABOR PLUS WHEN THE PART COMES IN I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER 130.00 FOR R/R THE LEFT REAR HUB . ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AT WORK THE LEFT REAR WHEEL LOCK UP AND STARTED TO SKIP MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES CAME OVER TO MY CAR AND ASK WHAT HAD HAPPENED AN IF I WANTED THEM TO FOLLOW ME HOME AFTER MOVING ANOTHER 10 FEET IT UNLOCKED IT SELF IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHO KNOWS WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH THE 1996 CHEVROLET Z34 ABS. *JB

Incident Apr 22, 2003

BRAKING PROBLEMS: I OWN A 1996 CHEVY MONTE CARLO AND I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKING PROBLEMS. THE LOW TRACK LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY AND I LOSE ALMOST ALL OF MY BRAKES. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AND I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, IT SEEMS THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY CONSUMER WITH BRAKING CONCERNS AND PROBLEMS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. *JB

Incident Apr 13, 2003

THE TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED TWICE.*JB

Incident Feb 25, 2003

I WAS RECENTLY DRIVING MY 1996 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS (VIN # [XXX]) ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM. I KEEP NOTICING THAT THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE NOT WORKING WHEN I APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. AFTER A SHORT WHILE THE BRAKES WOULD BEGIN TO FEEL AS THOUGH THEY WERE FUNCTIONING AND THE CAR WOULD SLOW DOWN. AFTER NOTICING THIS PROBLEM, I SEARCHED FOR RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AND CONTACTED MY DEALER. THE DEALER'S RECORDS SHOWED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE NHTSA WEB SITE INDICATED TWO PROBLEMS. ONE WAS A RECALL, WHICH APPLIES ONLY TO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED DURING A SPECIFIC TIME PERIOD. THE OTHER NOTICE WAS FOR A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN (APPARENTLY DIFFERENT FROM A RECALL). THE NHTSA NUMBER FOR THIS CAMPAIGN IS 011014000. THE NHTSA WEBSITE STATES THAT THIS CAMPAIGN ONLY APPLIES TO THE Z34 VERSION OF THE 1996 MONTE CARLO. THE PROBLEM THAT IS DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHEN DRIVING MY LS MONTE CARLO IN WET CONDITIONS. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE Z34 AND THE LS VERSIONS OF THE 1996 MONTE CARLO HAVE IDENTICAL FENDER WELLS AND LINERS AND WOULD EXPERIENCE IDENTICAL WET BRAKING PROBLEMS, THEREBY REQUIRING THE SAME FENDER LINER MODIFICATION. THUS, THIS SAFETY PROBLEM IS NOT LIMITED TO THE ONLY Z34 MODEL AND THIS CAMPAIGN SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL 1995-1999 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO VEHICLES. I WOULD LIKE THE MANUFACTURER TO MODIFY MY VEHICLE SO THAT I WILL NOT EXPERIENCE WET BRAKE FADING AND BE ABLE TO PROPERLY STOP MY CAR WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Incident Feb 9, 2003

MY INTAKE MANIFOLD IS LEAKING. I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON BUT UNFORTUNATELY HAS NOT LEAD TO A RECALL YET. TS

Incident Jan 17, 2003

TRANSMISSION SLIPS. WHEN TRYING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY, THERE IS NO PULL, I'VE NEARLY BEEN HIT TWICE BECAUSE OF THIS. TOLD THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM SO THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. EVERYONE I KNOW WHO OWNS THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAS EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE PERSON COMPLAINED ENOUGH THAT THE DEALERSHIP SAID YES THERE WAS A RECALL ON A PART IN THE TRANS.MISSION,AND THEY REPLACED IT. I CAN'T GET G.M. TO VERIFY THIS. ALSO, THE TRUNK LID HAS NO HYDRAULICS TO KEEP THE LID UP AND IF THE WIND IS BLOWING JUST RIGHT, IT SLAMS SHUT. IT HAS HIT ME IN THE HEAD TWICE AND ONCE ON THE BRIDGE OF MY NOSE AND ALSO, IT HAS COME DOWN ON MY BROTHERS NOSE. I SURE HOPE YOU CAN HELP.*AK

WHILE DRIVING STARTED TO SMELL EXHAUST FUMES IN VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED, AND DETERMINED THAT MANIFOLD IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND.*AK

Incident Jul 1, 2002

WHEN I PURCHASED THIS CAR, IT WAS THE CAR OF MY DREAMS. I HAD IT FOR LESS THAN 2 WEEKS, WHEN I NOTICED SLUDGE IN THE OIL AND AROUND THE CAP. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS CONDENSATION! IT WASN'T. IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WHEN I FIRST COMPLAINED TO SUNSHINE FORD, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN IT FINALLY BLEW, THANK GOD 10 FEET FROM MY DRIVEWAY, IT WAS 300 MILES OVER THE WARRANTY. I HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS TRYING TO GET THEM TO FIX IT. THEY DIAGNOSED IT WRONG TO BEGIN WITH! IT ENDED UP COSTING ME AROUND 250.00. TWO WEEKS AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK I WAS DOING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN SOMETHING BIG DROPPED OUT FROM UNDER MY CAR. IT WAS THE COMPUTER AND THE FRONT GUARD! THEY CHARGED ME FOR THAT TOO. NOW, I STARTED UP THE CAR THE OTHER DAY AND HEARD A MUFFLER NOISE IN THE FRONT DOWN IN THE ENGINE. MY DRIVERS SIDE MANIFOLD IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY AROUND! NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS ANOTHER $6-700.00 I HAVE TO PUT IN THIS CAR! ALSO, MY STEERING COLUMN, TURN SIGNALS SHORTED OUT, WERE REPLACED, BUT I STILL GET SURGING IN MY LIGHTS. I AM NOT AT ALL HAPPY WITH THIS CAR, OR CHEVY. OH! AND LET'S NOT FORGET THE SNAPPED FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT!*AK

Incident Jan 26, 2002

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-90-582. *SLC

Incident Oct 1, 2001

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FRONT FENDER, NO SPECIFIC TIRE INFORMATION WAS GIVEN, OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT #10-90-582. *SLC

Incident Oct 1, 2001

THIS CAR ALSO HAS BRAKE AND INJECTOR PROBLEMS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR STRUTS IN JUNE TOO. THIS CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE AND I THINK IT IS HIGHLY UNUSAL TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS.

Incident Aug 17, 2001

THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD IS GETTING WET AND KEEPS CORRODING. MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP GOING OUT,HORN,LIGHTER .THEY SHOULD HAVE PUT IT IN A BETTER PLACE.THANK YOU!. *AK

PASSENGER'S SEATBELT WILL GO INSIDE RETRACTOR. BUT, IT WILL NOT SECURE PASSENGER. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

Incident Aug 6, 2001

LOW TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON, THEN BRAKES GO OUT. BUT IF ABS AND TRACTION LIGHTS COME ON TOGETHER, BRAKES SOMETIMES WORK. *AK

Incident May 12, 2001

ALTERNATER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. DEFECTIVE ALTERNATER WOULD NOT ALLOW ENGINE TO COOL. *AK CONSUMER STATED ALTERNATOR IS LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE, BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION IT DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY, TO GET THE PART THE ENGINE MUST BE DROPPED, CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS A POOR DESIGN.*SLC

Incident Feb 1, 1998

SPARK PLUGS ARE CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRIVE POORLY.*AK

Incident Jul 13, 2000

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR GAS TANK, BUT WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP THAT PARTS WERE NOT IN STOCK. *JB

Incident Apr 16, 2001

FOUND ODI ID 735734 ON YOUR WEB SITE, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY RECALL NOT ISSUED?. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

Incident Oct 28, 2000

PROBLEM WITH BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE. CONSUMER RAN A RED LIGHT GOING 30 MPH BECAUSE VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP. BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, BUT IT STARTS TO SLOW DOWN. DEALER HAS HOOKED VEHICLE UP TO A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, BUT PROBLEM DOESN'T SHOW. DEALER IS CONVINCED THAT'S THE WAY THEY SHOULD WORK.*AK THE CONSUMER HAD TWO ACCIDENTS AS THE RESULT OF BRAKE FAILURES. *YH

Incident Aug 7, 1998

1ST PUMP REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT 63,000 MILES PUMP FAILED AGAIN $150 PLUS LABOR TO REPAIR. *AK

Incident May 29, 1998

2ND TRANSMISSION HAD TOTAL FAILURE AT 31000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED AGAIN. 3RD TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AT 67000. WILL COST $$$$$$$$$$ TO FIX.

Incident Feb 7, 1997

APPEARS DESIGN FLAW IN THE LOCATION OF ALTERNATOR CAUSING FAILURE?*AK

Incident Aug 9, 1999

UPON COLD START, IDLE RACED AT 2800 RPM AND WOULDN'T DROP TO NORMAL 800 RPM EVEN AFTER BRAKING AND BRIEF STEPS ON GAS PEDAL. RACING EVEN CONTINUED WHEN CAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL FROM DRIVE. PROBLEM CONTINUES EVEN AFTER DEALER SERVICING ON 11/24/2000WHERE SERVICE BULLETINS CHECKED, FINDING NOTHING ($46.41 CHARGE) AND THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND LINKAGES LUBED. DANGEROUS CONDITION CONTINUES. ONLY SOLUTION I HAVE FOUND--TURN ON IGNITION, LET CAR IDLE RACE A FEW MINUTES, THEN TURN OFF IGNITION. WHEN IGNITION IS THEN TURN ON AGAIN, IDLE APPEARS TO FUNCTION NORMALLY AT AROUND 800 RPM. OTHERS, INCLUDING SENIOR CITIZENS, MAY NOT DISCOVER THIS FIX AND CONFRONT AN OUT OF CONTROL, NONE BREAKABLE CAR RESULTING IN SERIOUS COLLISION. SUSPECT SOME OTHER PROBLEM, POSSIBLY DEFECTIVE COMPUTER CHIP--WHATEVER ALLOWS IDLE SPEED TO DROP AFTER WARM UP UNDER COLD CONDITION.*AK

Incident Nov 22, 2000

TOO MUCH PEDAL PRESSURE REQ'D TO STOP CAR. BRAKES/ROTORS WORN OUT AT 36,OOO MILES , FRONT AND REARS. *AK

PREMATURE ALTENATOR FAILURE, CAUSED BY ALTENATOR BEING POSITIONED UNDER CAR , WHICH CAUSES IT TO BE OUT OF A "COOLING AIR FLOW" AND TO OVERHEAT/BURN UP,INTERNALLY. PLUS, DUE TO IT'S LOCATION, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE, AND SUB FRAME HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE ALTENATOR. ALTENATORS SHOULD NOT FAIL AT THIS MILEAGE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL OTHER 96-Z-34 OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. CLEARLY A BAD DESIGN BY GM, AND IT PASSES AN UNNEEDED/UNWANTED BURDEN ON TO PEOPLE WHO BUY THEIR PRODUCTS AND HOPE THEM TO BE TROUBLE FREE,. MODERN TECHNOLOGY SHOULD ALLOW THEM TO BUILD A SYSTEM THAT IS MORE DURABLE. I HAVE TWO OTHER VEHICLES, THAT ARE MUCH OLDER THAN THIS CAR THAT ARE MUCH MORE RELIABLE AND LESS COSTLY TO MAINTAIN. THIS POOREST / AND MOST UNRELIABLE OF MONTE CARLO NOW HAS A REPUTATION IN THE MARKET PLACE AND THE RESALE VALUE HAS PLUMMMENTED. THERE SHOULD BE SOME LIABILITY ON GM'S PART.*AK

Incident Aug 23, 2000

AT 70208 MILES DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP AT MY COST, AGAIN AT 91000 MILES DEALER TO REPLACE WATER PUMP, AFTER COMPLAINING TO GM DEALER AGREED TO WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOR. 2 WATER PUMPS IN 91000 MILES! #2 BRAKES AT 48911 DEALER REPLACED FRONT DISC AND WARPED ROTORS. AGAIN AT 91000 DEALER SAYS ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN AND REPLACED, BOTH TIMES AT MY COST. 2 SETS OF ROTORS IN 91000 MILES! NEITHER TIME WERE THE ROTORS VISUALLY DAMAGED OR WORN FROM DISC PADS.

AT 70208 MILES DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP AT MY COST, AGAIN AT 91000 MILES DEALER TO REPLACE WATER PUMP, AFTER COMPLAINING TO GM DEALER AGREED TO WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOR. 2 WATER PUMPS IN 91000 MILES! #2 BRAKES AT 48911 DEALER REPLACED FRONT DISC AND WARPED ROTORS. AGAIN AT 91000 DEALER SAYS ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN AND REPLACED, BOTH TIMES AT MY COST. 2 SETS OF ROTORS IN 91000 MILES! NEITHER TIME WERE THE ROTORS VISUALLY DAMAGED OR WORN FROM DISC PADS.

AT 70208 MILES DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP AT MY COST, AGAIN AT 91000 MILES DEALER REPLACED WATER PUMP. AFTER COMPLAINING TO GM THE DEALER AGREED TO WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOR. 2 WATER PUMPS IN 91000 MILES! #2 BRAKES AT 48911 DEALER REPLACED FRONT DISC AND WARPED ROTORS. AGAIN AT 91000 MILES DEALER SAYS ROTORS ARE WARPED AGAIN AND REPLACED, BOTH TIMES AT COST. 2 SETS OF ROTORS IN 91000 MILES! NEITHER TIME WERE THE ROTORS VISUALLY DAMAGED OR WORN FROM DISC PADS. *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734293

BRAKES REPLACED TWICE WITH UNDER 50,000 MILES. *AKY

Incident Sep 10, 2000