VehicleVerdict

1990 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1990 Chevrolet Monte Carlo carries two red flags at once: 0 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). It is one of the Monte Carlo years to avoid.

0

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other Monte Carlo years?

Monte Carlo NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 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, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Monte Carlo years to avoid →

Does the 1990 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

97V058000Body & StructureApril 8, 1997 · 676,535 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES AND MINI VANS ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT AND WISCONSIN. THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS PULL THROUGH THE RETAINERS DUE TO CORROSION OF THE RETAINER. IF BOTH BOLTS PULL THROUGH, THE REAR CRADLE WOULD NOT LONGER BE SUPPORTED AT THESE MOUNTING LOCATIONS AND THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT CAN SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR CRADLE BOLTS AND RETAINERS.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ97017

CRADLE BOLT FAILURES

There is no summary currently available

1990 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — common questions

Is the 1990 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 0 complaints put the 1990 model at #26 of 35 Monte Carlo years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Monte Carlo years to avoid.

Does the 1990 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1990 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 1990 Chevrolet Monte Carlo under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (CRADLE BOLT FAILURES). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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.