VehicleVerdict

1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1987 compare to other Monte Carlo years?

Monte Carlo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted417 complaints1970: 0 complaints1973: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 2 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 3 complaints1985: 7 complaints1986: 6 complaints1987: 9 complaints1988: 5 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 1 complaints1995: 244 complaints1996: 255 complaints1997: 218 complaints1998: 129 complaints1999: 170 complaints2000: 332 complaints2001: 417 complaints2002: 319 complaints2003: 204 complaints2004: 275 complaints2005: 155 complaints2006: 146 complaints2007: 54 complaints2008: 3 complaints2010: 6 complaints
Monte Carlo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1987 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Monte Carlo years to avoid →

What are the most common 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission333%
Engine222%
Tires & Wheels222%
Fuel System111%
Suspension111%

Does the 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

87V168000TransmissionOctober 26, 1987 · 11,936 units

Defect

MANUAL VALVE LINK IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY FORMED.

Consequence

THE VALVE LINK COULD SEPARATE RESULTING IN A GEARSELECTION DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE DRIVER SELECTS. ALSO, CAR COULD BE STARTEDWITH TRANSMISSION IN GEAR ALLOWING VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNANTICIPATEDDIRECTION.

Remedy

REPLACE THE MANUAL VALVE DETENT LEVER LINK.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“OVERDRIVE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REBUILT FOUR TIMES AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT TWICE WITHIN 45,000 MILES OF USE. IT APPEARS THAT VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SERVICED UNDER SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS. DO THESE BULLETINS EXPIRE AND THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE?”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 1, 1993

“THE SCOPE OF THE FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE PROBLEM IS MUCH LARGER THAN THE COMPANY IS ADMITTING. MY 16 YEAR OLD SON HAD A TIRE DISINTEGRATE ON 4/21/00. THE SPARKS RESULTING FROM THIS WERE SO BAD THAT PASSERS-BY CALLED 911. THE OFFICER WHO CAME TO ASSIST MY SON SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN A TIRE FALL TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 21, 2000

1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — common questions

Is the 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Monte Carlo years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Monte Carlo years to avoid are 2001, 2000, 2002, 2004, 1996, 1995, 1997, 2003, 1999, 2005, 2006, 1998, 2007, 1991, 1990. The cleanest record among Monte Carlo years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.