Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1996 - Service brakes - car safety information, failing parts, recalls, bulletins, complaints

Chevrolet Monte Carlo 1996

Recalls
Technical Service Bulletins
Defect investigations
Consumer Complaints

Recalls

Campaign	Manufacturer	Manufacturing date	Type	# of units affected	Date Owner notified Mfg	Recall Initiated by	Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products	Report Recieved Date	Record Creation Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
01I014000	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.		I		09/26/2001	ODI	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	09/24/2001	01/07/2002
Defect Summary	This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. vehicle description: 1995-1999 chevrolet monte carlo z34 passenger vehicles. the braking performance in wet weather or wet road conditions is reduced more than a driver would expect.
Consequence Summary	The braking could feel delayed momentarily when light or moderate force is applied on the brake pedal while driving on wet roads or after going through a car wash.
Corrective Summary	Dealer will modify the front fender liners to remove a portion of the closeout panels in the front wheel wells at no charge to the consumer. this service will be available through august 2004.
Notes	Gm has decided to conduct a customer satisfaction campaign to modify the vehicle if an owner has experienced a greater than expected reduction or delay in braking on wet roads.owners can contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, concerning this program.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM
96V122000	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	from 06/01/1996 to 06/01/1996	V (Vehicle)	3591	07/05/1996	MFR	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	07/01/1996	07/08/1996
Defect Summary	These vehicles were assembled with one of the four brake booster tabs not properly located in the front of dash reinforcement assembly.
Consequence Summary	If this condition were present in a situation where stopping distances were small, a vehicle crash could occur.
Corrective Summary	Dealers will inspect for proper booster installation. boosters found to be improperly located will be removed and reinstalled properly.
Notes	System: brakes; hydraulic; power assist; booster. vehicle description: passenger vehicles. owner notification: owner notification is expected to begin in july 1996. note: owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020. also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Bulletins

Bulletin	Bulletin date	Item no.	Summary	Added
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
4615		10023171	Abs pump running when not needed. *nj	10/31/2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
970801735026	08/01/1997	54419	Comment that the abs light is on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) 46 and 86 set as current or history. *yc	04/07/1998

Investigations

NHTSA ID	Manufacturer	Date open	Date close	Subject	Recall campaign
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PE98023	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	04/23/1998	08/31/1998	DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE	01I014000
	Alleged substantially reduced braking capability and/or delay in brake activation when the brakes are wet.several complainants described the problem as a total or near total loss of braking capability for several seconds after applying the brakes.
EA98019	GENERAL MOTORS CORP.	08/31/1998	12/13/2001	DEGRADED BRAKING PERFORMANCE
	Alleged that substantially reduced braking capability and/or delay in brake activation when the brakes are wet.

Consumer Complaints

Fail date	miles	occurences	Purchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - ANTILOCK
02/09/2003
	I was recently driving my 1996 chevrolet monte carlo ls (vin # 2g1ww12m9t9237099) on the highway during a heavy rainstorm. i keep noticing that the brakes felt like they were not working when i applied brake pressure. after a short while the brakes would begin to feel as though they were functioning and the car would slow down. after noticing this problem, i searched for recalls on my vehicle and contacted my dealer. the dealer's records showed that there were no recalls on my vehicle. however, the nhtsa web site indicated two problems. one was a recall, which applies only to vehicles manufactured during a specific time period. the other notice was for a safety improvement campaign (apparently different from a recall). the nhtsa number for this campaign is 011014000. the nhtsa website states that this campaign only applies to the z34 version of the 1996 monte carlo. the problem that is described is exactly what i have experienced when driving my ls monte carlo in wet conditions. it appears to me that the z34 and the ls versions of the 1996 monte carlo have identical fender wells and liners and would experience identical wet braking problems, thereby requiring the same fender liner modification. thus, this safety problem is not limited to the only z34 model and this campaign should be extended to all 1995-1999 chevrolet monte carlo vehicles. i would like the manufacturer to modify my vehicle so that i will not experience wet brake fading and be able to properly stop my car when driving in wet conditions.
		2	01/01/1996
	My brakes had to be replaced at 22,000 approx and 46,000 and each time i was told the reason was poor metal--by a mechanic and service director--the pads were gone and the rotors eaten away. i've been driving for close to 50 years w/o having experienced anything like this.
10/11/1998		10	07/01/1996
	Anti-lock brakes fail in wet conditions. brake must be applied almost to the floor. they are very spongy feeling. dealer has checked system and finds no problem. there is a problem !!!! engine: fails to start or has a rough start. when the engine is having these problems it will smoke and sputter. dealer has repalced the main computer, spark plugs, gaskets, fuel injectors... problem still occurs.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
08/15/2003	92000
	Brakes do not work during inclimate weather. loses a quart of oil per 500 miles. blows by smoke through exhaust when starting.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
04/13/2003		5	01/20/2001
	Braking problems: i own a 1996 chevy monte carlo and i have recently been experiencing braking problems. the low track light comes on periodically and i lose almost all of my brakes. it is very difficult to stop and i feel this needs to be investigated, it seems that i am not the only consumer with braking concerns and problems. someone is going to get killed. *jb
08/17/2001		1	04/01/1996
	This car also has brake and injector problems. i had to replace the rear struts in june too. this car has low mileage and i think it is highly unusal to have these problems.
05/12/2001		1	01/01/1998
	Low traction light comes on, then brakes go out. but if abs and traction lights come on together, brakes sometimes work. *ak
08/07/1998		3	10/20/1997
	Problem with brakes have always been there. consumer ran a red light going 30 mph because vehicle wouldn't stop. brake pedal goes all the way to floor, but it starts to slow down. dealer has hooked vehicle up to a diagnostic machine, but problem doesn't show. dealer is convinced that's the way they should work.ak the consumer had two accidents as the result of brake failures. yh
			02/01/1996
	Too much pedal pressure req'd to stop car. brakes/rotors worn out at 36,ooo miles , front and rears. *ak
09/10/2000		2	07/01/1998
	Brakes replaced twice with under 50,000 miles. *aky
01/05/2000		15	12/01/1999
	Engine check light always coming on, burned up o2 sensor, vaccum line broke controlling vents, charcoal canister cracked, transmission slips if pedal is floored from takeoff between rst and 2nd and when downshifting after braking, abs fail in wet conditons resulting is extended stopping distance,alternator defective at 63,000 miles, vehicle skids and low trac light comes on when braking frequently. *ak
06/02/2000		0
	While going down a graveled driveway stepped on brakes, and only the left rear abs brake was working. consumer could tell by the marks in the gravel.*ak

	When the brakes are applied pedal goes to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance. dealer has replaced various problems of the system. however, the problem continues. *ak
		10	01/01/1997
	Spark plugs and wires replaced numerous times. engine check light stays on /rough idle at start/alot hard to start, and brakes won't hold in wet conditons. *ak
11/11/1996		3	03/07/1996
	Pe98023, degraded braking performance; when hitting a bump in the road, the low track light comes on and braking power is lost. also on wet road when applying the brakes, driver has to press really hard on the brake pedal. vehcle taken to dealership about 3 or 4 times for brake problems. dealer not able to find a problem with brakes. ak slc
			07/01/1997
	Engine check light has came on 5 times. 2 times the dealer claimed that they could not duplicate. 2 times they have replaced numerous spark plugs, and 2 fuel pressure regulators have been put on the car. the gas guage unit has been replaced because of failure to register how much gas was in the car. vehicle has sputtered when first started and when going down the road. the dealer has fixed these problems. the program unit in the car has been replaced because of the sputtering and idling problem. the car is now experiencing hard starts when the ignition has to be turned for about 5-6 seconds before the car will crank. dealership has been notified of this, but has been unable to fix the problem. brake system failed when roads are wet an d brake pedal has to be pushed to the floor for the car to stop. on the occasions when the vehicle's check engine light came on and the vehicle was sputtering, the code po300 appeared the 5 times that the car has been taken to the dealership for this. numerous spark plugs and wires have been replaced possibly due to sputtering of vehicle. *ak
01/15/1997			11/01/1995
	Braking system is not stopping vehicle properly consumer feels the brake pedal going down to the floor before vehicle comes to a stop. dealer notified and informed consumer that was a normal condition. also, rear cylinders are leaking. ak ml
		1	09/01/1996
	Anti lock brakes fail to work properly in wet weather, causing vehicle to pull and fade.

	When applying the abs brakes on wet pavement the pedal nearly travels to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. please give any further details. *ak
		1	06/30/1996
	Abs brakes fail in rainy weather.
		1	03/30/1996
	Brakes don't not work properly in wet weather, pedal goes to the floor.
02/11/1998
	Brakes: coming down the driveway at 5mph had foot on brakes when approaching the bottom was applying brakes harder and nothing happened, the brakes did not hold, car kept rolling, rolled into the street and a bus hit the car. *ak
02/06/1996		1	02/06/1996
	Wire connection in the abs brake system failed.
11/09/1997		5
	Vehicle does not stop in rainy weather at any speed. vehicle travels from 30 ft to 150 ft or more depending on speed, even if forcefully depressing brakes. once was involved in a collision. *ak
		1	09/03/1997
	Abs brake system continuously failed in rainy weather. after applying brakes with full pressure, vehicle does not stopfor it feels as if it is on ice.
		15	09/03/1997
	Upon applying abs brakes in rainy weather, vehicle does not stop/skids. once while driving in rainy weather vehicle skidded/lost control and hit a road sign. *ak
11/11/1996
	Brakes: when the street is wet the brakes are inoperative and do not work at all. the pedal will not go down at all. after a while they will grab . took to dealer and they changed pads and rotors. they can't find out the problem. *ak
			04/04/1996
	Brakes on this vehicle require much greater pressure when wet. the more loaded the vehicle is the more pressure is needed. manufacturer claims it is a design problem and there is no repair. *ak
11/06/1996		1	01/02/1996
	Frontal collision, impact 12:00 position, speed 20mph, abs brakes failed, causing extended stopping distance, brake pedal went to the floor, loss of stopping effectiveness, speed at impact 10 mph. ak consumer stats there has been numerous occasion when brakes have failed but did not cause an accident.jb
01/06/1997
	In wet weather when brakes are applied the vehicle will not stop. it takes about double pressure for the vehicle to stop. *ak
01/17/1997		0
	While driving vehicle, applied brakes, lost about 80% power in rain; abs brakes failed to catch or stop vehicle. vehicle at dealership now. sending invoice. *ak
10/18/1996
	Owner states when abs brakes were used , the pedal went to the floor , they did not work, causing vehicle to lose control, resulting in an accident. *ak
08/26/1996		1	10/01/1995
	Antilock brake system failed, causing accident.
04/21/1996		1	04/21/1996
	During vehicle operation in rain only when the brakes are applied, a delay of about 100 feet is experienced, before the vehicle comes to a stop.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT
10/10/2006	181545	2	05/18/2006
	Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled immediately upon starting the engine. the vehicle was restarted but immediately stalled again. the abs light also illuminated intermittently. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer for service.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
04/22/2003	78000	1	03/21/2001
	I own a 1996 z34 with 78000 miles on it. in the last month my anti lock light kept coming on in the dash also the low track would come on sometimes i took it to the dealer yesterday 5-2-03 to have it checked out, they found computer scan brake light switch open. left rear sensor, left rear excessive speed variation, left rear open short they ordered a left rear hub and sensor at my cost i had to pay up front 469.19 for the part to be ordered also 65.00 for the labor plus when the part comes in i have to pay another 130.00 for r/r the left rear hub . about a month ago while pulling out of the parking lot at work the left rear wheel lock up and started to skip my fellow employees came over to my car and ask what had happened an if i wanted them to follow me home after moving another 10 feet it unlocked it self if this would have happened while driving down the highway who knows what would have happened has anyone else had this experience with the 1996 chevrolet z34 abs. *jb
06/02/1997			03/10/1997
	Anti-lock sensor replace once and front brakes booster that holds master cylinder failed
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
09/20/1996		1	01/01/1996
	Brakes squeak when brakes are applied. yh
		10	12/21/1995
	Brakes fail intermittently during wet weather conditions.
			04/14/1996
	Rear and front rotor bad, rotor and pads wer half worn at 14,250 miles, resulting in vibration
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
02/15/1999		3	01/01/1996
	Ball joint and tie rod + front brakes replaced at 1st alternator - parts corroded and fused together 75k on orignial tires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER
05/01/1997		1	05/28/1996
	Brake calipers failed.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR
	70208	2	12/01/1995
	At 70208 miles dealer replaced water pump at my cost, again at 91000 miles dealer replaced water pump. after complaining to gm the dealer agreed to warranty parts and labor. 2 water pumps in 91000 miles! #2 brakes at 48911 dealer replaced front disc and warped rotors. again at 91000 miles dealer says rotors are warped again and replaced, both times at cost. 2 sets of rotors in 91000 miles! neither time were the rotors visually damaged or worn from disc pads. nlm dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis734293
05/01/1999		2	01/25/1999
	Front brake rotors warped, replaced both calipers and rotors due to warping. *et
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
		2	12/01/2095
	At 70208 miles dealer replaced water pump at my cost, again at 91000 miles dealer to replace water pump, after complaining to gm dealer agreed to warranty parts and labor. 2 water pumps in 91000 miles! #2 brakes at 48911 dealer replaced front disc and warped rotors. again at 91000 dealer says rotors are warped again and replaced, both times at my cost. 2 sets of rotors in 91000 miles! neither time were the rotors visually damaged or worn from disc pads.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
01/15/1997			11/01/1995
	Braking system is not stopping vehicle properly consumer feels the brake pedal going down to the floor before vehicle comes to a stop. dealer notified and informed consumer that was a normal condition. also, rear cylinders are leaking. ak ml
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST - VACUUM
		1	11/12/1996
	Brakes recalled service denied.