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1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems: 1 Known Issue

1998 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has 1 documented issue, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Oil onto Hot Exhaust Manifold Can Ignite — 3.8L V6 Monte Carlo Recall 09V116000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Monte Carlo Engine1
  • Recalls14
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Engine1
  • Recalls14
  • FAQ

All 1 Known Issue

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ALL YEARS2007200620052004200320022001200019991998

On the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, if your 1998-2003 Monte Carlo has the 3.8L naturally aspirated V6, it is named in GM safety recall 09V116000. Hard braking can sling drops of engine oil onto the exhaust manifold. A manifold that is hot enough, combined with oil running down below the heat shield, can start a small flame — and the plastic spark plug wire channel sitting nearby gives that flame somewhere to spread, escalating it into an engine compartment fire. Worth being clear about which engine you have: the supercharged 3.8L in the Monte Carlo SS is a different animal and this campaign is written specifically for the naturally aspirated 3.8L V6. The 1,497,516-vehicle figure NHTSA publishes is the total for the entire campaign across all GM models it touches.

Common Symptoms

  • Hot burning-oil smell entering the cabin, particularly after braking hard
  • Wisps of smoke from under the hood
  • Oil weeping from the front valve cover area
  • Flame in the engine compartment in severe cases

How to Fix

Dealers perform the repair at no cost. The work is to install a new improved-design front valve cover with a new front valve cover gasket, then remove the engine's plastic cover and the plastic oil fill tube extension. On a car this old the recall may already be closed out — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and if it still shows open, any Chevrolet dealer can do it free regardless of mileage or how many owners the car has had.

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Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
NHTSA Recalls14 recalls

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Campaign #15V70100026/10/2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Campaign #14V40000003/07/2014
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Other Chevrolet Models

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has 1 documented issue. The documented issue is: Oil onto Hot Exhaust Manifold Can Ignite — 3.8L V6 Monte Carlo Recall 09V116000. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?

The 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has 1 known issue compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Oil onto Hot Exhaust Manifold Can Ignite — 3.8L V6 Monte Carlo Recall 09V116000. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

What is the 1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Oil onto Hot Exhaust Manifold Can Ignite — 3.8L V6 Monte Carlo Recall 09V116000?

If your 1998-2003 Monte Carlo has the 3.8L naturally aspirated V6, it is named in GM safety recall 09V116000. Hard braking can sling drops of engine oil onto the exhaust manifold. A manifold that is hot enough, combined with oil running down below the heat shield, can start a sma… Severity: high.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Campaign #09V11600008/04/2009

STEERING

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Campaign #09E00500017/02/2009

STEERING

DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Campaign #08E06300017/10/2008

+ 9 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

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