CarBrief

Owners filed 512 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Lumina/Monte Carlo, and steering is the largest group[1][2]. There is one recall, for the rack and pinion steering[3].

512owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
18–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 512 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 49 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 41 an injury, and 7 deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here is how the complaints split by component group:

Component group Complaints
Steering[2] 118
Engine[6] 82
Brakes[7] 73
Fuel system, gasoline[8] 51
Air bags[9] 51
Electrical system[10] 43
Power train[11] 29
Visibility[12] 27

Steering. Of 118 complaints, 12 mention a crash and 5 an injury. The median mileage at failure is 92,000[2]. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 9 describe steering or power assist suddenly locking up, cutting out or failing while driving, and 5 name the rack and pinion as the failed part[2].

Engine. The 82 engine complaints include 1 fire and 1 injury, with a median mileage of 72,817[6]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 9 describe the engine stalling or cutting off while driving, and several say the dealer could not find the cause[6].

Brakes. There are 73 brake complaints, with 6 crashes and 4 injuries[7]. The median mileage is 87,056[7]. In a sample of 12, 11 describe brakes that responded late, stopped poorly or failed to stop, and several of these mention wet weather[7].

Air bags. Only 51 complaints, but 31 mention a crash and 21 an injury[9]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 6 describe a deployment that burned, hit or damaged something, 5 describe bags that did not deploy in a collision, and 2 mention the warning light staying on[9].

Fuel system. The 51 complaints include 3 fires, with a median mileage of 55,490[8]. We did not read a sample of these, so we can only report the counts.

The electrical (43)[10], power train (29)[11] and visibility (27)[12] groups are smaller. Only the electrical group mentions a crash, just 1[10][11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[4].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists two engines for this model, both 6-cylinder with an automatic 4-speed and front-wheel drive:

Engine City / highway / combined MPG Yearly fuel cost
3.1L 6-cyl[5] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.4L 6-cyl[13] 15 / 24 / 18 $3,700

Both use regular fuel. The yearly cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA has not rated the 4-door or the 2-door in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[14][15].

Engine and size

Engines listed by the EPA are a 3.1L and a 3.4L six-cylinder[5][13].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications[16] for the Lumina 4-door sedan (BASE/LS/LTZ), converted from metric. They can differ slightly from US models.

Measurement Value
Length[16] 201 in
Width[16] 72 in
Height[16] 55 in
Wheelbase[16] 107 in
Curb weight[16] 3,377 lb

How 1997 compares with other years

1995: 765 complaints, 8 recalls19951996: 435 complaints, 3 recalls19961997: 512 complaints, 1 recalls51219971998: 325 complaints, 3 recalls19981999: 231 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 263 complaints, 9 recalls2000
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Lumina/Monte Carlo model year. The 1997 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19957658
19964353
19975121
19983253
19992313
20002639

NHTSA complaint and recall counts for each Lumina/Monte Carlo model year:

Year Complaints Recalls
1995 765 8
1996 435 3
1997 512 1
1998 325 3
1999 231 3
2000 263 9

All figures are from[4]. By complaints, 1997 is second highest of the six years, behind 1995. By recalls, 1997 has the fewest. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat the comparison as rough.

Should you buy a used 1997 Lumina/Monte Carlo?

The file shows steering, engine and brake complaints at the top, and owners describe sudden steering problems, stalling and weak wet-weather braking in the samples we read[2][6][7]. The one recall is for steering, so ask whether the car was repaired under it[3]. Air bag complaints are fewer, but 31 of the 51 mention a crash[9]. The 3.4L is rated lower in MPG than the 3.1L[5][13]. A pre-purchase inspection that covers steering, brakes and stalling is a sensible step, and these unverified reports show what owners raised rather than how often a part fails.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on a 1997 Chevy Lumina?
Steering has the most NHTSA complaints at 118, then engine at 82 and brakes at 73[2][6][7].
Is there a recall on the 1997 Lumina or Monte Carlo?
NHTSA lists one, 03V527, for rack and pinion steering bearings. Dealers install a new lower pinion bearing, or the gear assembly if needed[3].
What gas mileage does a 1997 Lumina get?
The 3.1L 6-cylinder is rated 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined MPG[5]. The 3.4L 6-cylinder is rated 15, 24 and 18[13].
Which year of the Lumina/Monte Carlo has the fewest complaints?
Among 1995 to 2000, 1999 has the fewest at 231[4]. 1997 has 512[4].
How safe is the 1997 Lumina?
NHTSA has not rated it in its 5-Star program[14][15].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 512 owner complaints on file for the 1997 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo (49 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 41 injuries, 7 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 118 complaints name the steering component group (12 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 03V527, filed December 11, 2003: Steering › Rack And Pinion. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 82 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,817). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 73 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,056). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 51 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,490). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 51 complaints name the air bags component group (31 crashes, 0 fires, 21 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 43 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 29 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 27 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LUMINA 4DR SEDAN BASE/LS/LTZ: length 201 in, width 72 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,377 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.