RecallRepo

1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 750,283 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 03V527000 2003-12-11 750,283 affected
Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION…

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC…

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
24
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
17
STEERING:RACK AND PINION
16
2crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7
AIR BAGS
6
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
6
6crashes5injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
1crashes1injuries
Total complaints218

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that while driving 85 mph, the steering wheel became loose and caused the contact to temporarily lose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the lower pinion bearing for the…”

STEERING · reported 2012-12-01

“My 97 monte carlo z34 started dying on me whenever I came to a complete stop and after I had been driving it for a while. And it would shoot forward after I started it again in neutral(the only way it would start). Placing myself in the middle of intersections unwillingly, I would have to start my…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2009-07-20

“My 1997 chevrolet monte carlo was recently diagnosed with an intake manifold gasket that needs to be replaced (due to leaking of engine coolant). Two mechanics informed me the repair costs would be between $800-$1000. After further research, I discovered several general motors vehicles between…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM · reported 2008-05-23

“My 97 chevy monte carlo has had no lower brake lights for some time . I had my car checked by an auto electrician and was told that the problem was so severe and it would probably never find the source of the problem. I am very concerned with this issue being it may cause serious injury to my…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · reported 2007-05-10

“My 97 chevy monte carlo has had no lower brake lights for some time . I had my car checked by an auto electrician and was told that the problem was so severe and it would probably never find the source of the problem. I am very concerned with this issue being it may cause serious injury to my…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS · reported 2007-05-10

“My 97 chevy monte carlo has had no lower brake lights for some time . I had my car checked by an auto electrician and was told that the problem was so severe and it would probably never find the source of the problem. I am very concerned with this issue being it may cause serious injury to my…”

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · reported 2007-05-10

“My 97 chevy monte carlo has had no lower brake lights for some time . I had my car checked by an auto electrician and was told that the problem was so severe and it would probably never find the source of the problem. I am very concerned with this issue being it may cause serious injury to my…”

SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · reported 2007-05-10

“My 97 chevy monte carlo has had no lower brake lights for some time . I had my car checked by an auto electrician and was told that the problem was so severe and it would probably never find the source of the problem. I am very concerned with this issue being it may cause serious injury to my…”

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP · reported 2007-05-10

Defect investigations

Investigation EA03019 Opened 2003-09-15 · closed 2003-12-18

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS…

Investigation EA03019 Opened 2003-09-15 · closed 2003-12-18

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS…

Investigation EA98019 Opened 1998-08-31 · closed 2001-12-13

DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE

There is no summary currently available

Investigation PE98023 Opened 1998-04-23 · closed 1998-08-31

DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS…

Investigation RQ03001 Opened 2003-01-02 · closed 2003-09-15

POWER RACK AND PINION STEERING FAILURE

GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.