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Chevrolet Monte Carlo — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet Monte Carlo model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
36
Years to Avoid
2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000
Best Years
1994, 1989, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1977, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1970
2010
6 complaints0 recalls265 TSBs
2008
3 complaints0 recalls181 TSBs
2007Avoid
54 complaints2 recalls853 TSBs
2006Avoid
146 complaints2 recalls1 invest.773 TSBs
2005Avoid
155 complaints4 recalls546 TSBs
2004Avoid
275 complaints7 recalls479 TSBs
2003Avoid
204 complaints9 recalls469 TSBs
2002Avoid
319 complaints7 recalls1 invest.440 TSBs
2001Avoid
417 complaints8 recalls1 invest.430 TSBs
2000Avoid
332 complaints8 recalls1 invest.364 TSBs
1999
170 complaints5 recalls1 invest.72 TSBs
1998
129 complaints5 recalls4 invest.60 TSBs
1997
218 complaints3 recalls4 invest.57 TSBs
1996
255 complaints3 recalls5 invest.41 TSBs
1995
244 complaints5 recalls1 invest.57 TSBs
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1991
1 complaints1 recalls3 invest.
1990
0 complaints1 recalls2 invest.
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.
1988
5 complaints2 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1987
9 complaints3 recalls2 invest.1 TSBs
1986
6 complaints4 recalls3 invest.1 TSBs
1985
7 complaints2 recalls4 invest.1 TSBs
1984
3 complaints3 recalls1 invest.
1983Best Year
1 complaints2 recalls
1982Best Year
2 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1981Best Year
2 complaints2 recalls1 invest.
1980
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.
1979
0 complaints5 recalls1 invest.
1978
0 complaints8 recalls1 invest.
1977Best Year
0 complaints3 recalls
1976
0 complaints4 recalls
1975Best Year
0 complaints2 recalls
1974Best Year
1 complaints3 recalls
1973Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1970Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet Monte Carlo Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet Monte Carlo, consider the 1994, 1989, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1977, 1975, 1974, 1973, 1970 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

36 model years analyzed