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2000 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 263 owner complaints for the 2000 Lumina/Monte Carlo, and 35 of them mention a fire[1]. Check every recall by VIN before you buy[2]., so check each one by VIN before you buy[2].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 263 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Lumina/Monte Carlo[1]. Of those, 35 mention a fire, 13 a crash and 13 injuries, and 1 reports a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports[1].
The biggest groups by component[4][5][6][7]:
- Engine: 78 complaints, 26 of them with a fire[4]. The median mileage at failure is 103,767[4].
- Electrical system: 48 complaints, 6 with a fire[5]. The median mileage is 111,000[5].
- Steering: 28 complaints, 3 with a crash and 3 with injuries[6]. The median mileage is 52,000[6].
- Power train: 22 complaints, 1 with a fire[7]. The median mileage is 66,000[7].
- Suspension and brakes: 18 complaints each[8][9].
We also read a small sample of the complaint texts. In the engine sample, owners describe the engine stalling or cutting out while driving, often with no warning and no cause found by the dealer[4]. A couple describe oil or coolant leaks[4]. In the electrical sample, owners describe a car that will not start or that stalls, sometimes with the anti-theft or warning lights on[5]. Some describe dash or headlight lights flickering out[5].
In the power train sample, the transmission comes up in 7 of the 11 different texts we read[7]. Owners describe hard shifting, surging, slipping, leaks and replacements[7]. In the steering sample, owners describe a popping, rattling or clunking noise. Some say the rack and pinion or the intermediate shaft was replaced more than once[6]. This is a small sample, so it shows what owners wrote about, not how often it happens.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Exhaust manifold oil drip (15V701). An earlier fix for engine oil dripping onto the hot exhaust manifold did not remove the risk. Oil on the hot manifold can cause a fire. The improved fix is a new front valve cover and gasket. The recall began on February 19, 2016, and GM advised owners to park outside until the improved fix is done[10].
- Ignition switch (14V400). The weight on a key ring or a jolt can move the ignition switch out of the run position. That turns off the engine, and the air bags may not deploy in a crash. The fix is a pair of key rings and an insert or a cover on the key head, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014[11].
- Engine oil on manifold (09V116). Oil drops can land on the exhaust manifold during hard braking and may start a small flame that spreads in the engine bay. It covers vehicles with a 3.8L V6[12]. The fix is a new front valve cover and gasket, free of charge, and the fact lists the start as expected in May 2016[12].
- Fuel pressure regulator (04V090). Certain regulators on 3800 V6 (L36) engines can leak fuel into the intake[13]. A backfire can then break the intake manifold and cause a fuel leak and possible fire. The fix is a new regulator, done in two mailing phases that began in 2004[13].
- Seat belt buckles (00V228). Some buckle bases were not heat treated properly, so an occupant may not be held in a crash. Dealers check date codes and replace buckles if needed[14].
- Fuel fill hose clamp (00V160). A loose clamp can let the fill hose separate and leak fuel. Dealers inspect the clamp and tighten it if needed[15].
- Rear spindle bolts (00V143). On cars with rear drum brakes, a bolt head can separate. The rear wheel can shift and steer the car, and the driver could lose control. Dealers replace the bolts[16].
- Front brake hose (99V357). A hose routed wrongly can be cut or come off at the caliper, which can reduce braking in half of the system. Dealers replace and reroute the hose[17].
- Passenger air bag (99V283). An undersized inflator opening can make the inflator burst in a crash and throw debris at the passenger. Dealers replace the module[18].
Several of these cover only certain vehicles or equipment[13][14][16]. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's recall site.
Fuel economy
The EPA rates all three listed engines at 21 MPG combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200[3][19][20]. The cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
| Engine | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6-cyl, automatic 4-speed[3] | 18 | 27 | 21 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl, automatic 4-speed[19] | 17 | 29 | 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl, automatic 4-speed[20] | 17 | 27 | 21 |
All three are front-wheel drive and use regular fuel[3][19][20].
Safety ratings
NHTSA's 5-star ratings page shows this model year as not rated[21]. Safety-related recalls are listed above.
Engine and size
Engine sizes in the EPA data are 3.1L, 3.4L and 3.8L, all 6-cylinder[3][19][20].
Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications, and they are for the Monte Carlo 2-door coupe LS/SS[22]. They can differ slightly from US models.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 198 in |
| Width | 72 in |
| Height | 55 in |
| Wheelbase | 111 in |
| Curb weight | 3,347 lb |
All figures are from[22].
How 2000 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 765 | 8 |
| 1996 | 435 | 3 |
| 1997 | 512 | 1 |
| 1998 | 325 | 3 |
| 1999 | 231 | 3 |
| 2000 | 263 | 9 |
NHTSA's counts for the Lumina/Monte Carlo by model year are 1995: 765 complaints and 8 recalls, 1996: 435 and 3, 1997: 512 and 1, 1998: 325 and 3, 1999: 231 and 3, and 2000: 263 and 9[2].
The 2000 year has fewer complaints than 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and more than 1999[2]. It has the most recalls of any year listed[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the comparison as rough.
Should you buy a used 2000 Lumina/Monte Carlo?
This model year has 35 complaints that mention a fire and 9 listed recalls[1][2]. Several recalls involve fire or crash risk, so check every recall by VIN before buying and ask for proof of the work[10][12][13][16]. Look closely at the engine bay, since the engine is the biggest complaint group and the oil leak recalls involve fire risk[4][10]. Test drive for stalling, hard shifting and steering noise, which came up in the complaint texts we read[4][6][7]. The EPA rates the car at 21 MPG combined, which is steady across all three engines[3][19][20].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo?
- By complaint count, the engine leads with 78 complaints, then the electrical system with 48 and steering with 28[4][5][6]. Owners in the samples we read describe stalling, no-start trouble, transmission problems and steering noise[4][5][6][7].
- Does the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 9 recalls for this model year[2]. They cover engine oil on the exhaust manifold, the ignition switch, fuel pressure regulators, seat belts, brakes and air bags[10][11][12][13][14][17][18].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 263 owner complaints on file for the 2000 Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo (13 mention a crash, 35 a fire, 13 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Lumina/Monte Carlo model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.1L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 78 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 26 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,767). NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 6 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 111,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 15V701, filed October 26, 2015: Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold / Header / Muffler / Tail Pipe. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V400, filed July 3, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 09V116, filed April 8, 2009: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 04V090, filed February 24, 2004: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V228, filed August 7, 2000: Seat Belts. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V160, filed June 16, 2000: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V143, filed May 17, 2000: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V357, filed December 17, 1999: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 99V283, filed October 21, 1999: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 29 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Lumina/Monte Carlo, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MONTE CARLO 2DR COUPE LS/SS: length 198 in, width 72 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 3,347 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov