Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 231 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V701000 Engine Oil Dripping On Manifold may Cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V400000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V116000 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E005000 STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING/LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08E063000 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT/LOSS OF STEERING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E021000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V222000 GM/AIR BAG INFLATOR NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 56 complaints
- Engine 38 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 33 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 30 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 26 complaints
- Air Bags 20 complaints
Of the 231 complaints on file, 11 report a crash and 24 a fire; across all 231 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has a history of recalls affecting the engine cooling and ignition systems, which may compromise safety and reliability. Despite these concerns, the variety of problems aligns with common issues seen in vehicles of this age and complexity, making it neither especially risky nor highly dependable.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine cooling | 50,000–100,000 miles | $400–$800 | very common |
| ignition system | 40,000–80,000 miles | $200–$600 | common |
| steering components | 70,000–110,000 miles | $300–$700 | occasional |
| fuel system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $150–$400 | occasional |
| airbag system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $600–$1,200 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Cooling system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Air filter replacement
- Spark plug and ignition check
- Tire rotation and alignment
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine overheating
- Steering wheel play
- Ignition switch jamming
- Unusual fuel smell
- Frequent airbag warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.