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2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission slipping, clunking, and hard shifting.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission slipping, clunking, and hard shifting

POWER TRAIN

12 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2022-06

“I HAD JUST EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WAITING TO TURN LEFT, WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED I STEPPED ON THE THROTTLE LIKE NORMAL AND THE TRANSMISSION REVVED UP, CLUNKED INTO GEAR STARTED ROLLING AND THEN BEGAN TO SHUDDER & VIBRATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10507457
“AT AROUND 60 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WOULD COME IN AND OUT OF LOCK UP. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER COMING APART IN THE TRANSMISSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10401080
“CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER FOUND WIRES TO BE BROKEN AND WIRES THAT WERE FRAYED AT THE SHIFT SOLENOID”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10436800

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering assist loss

STEERING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2018-01

“WHEN EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY AND TURNING LEFT ON TO NEW ROAD THE POWER STEERING LOST ASSIST, ALMOST HIT WALL ON OVERPASS, THEN LOST ASSIST 2 MORE TIMES ON LOW SPEES TURNS, BAD STEERING RACK AT 49000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10486676
“POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS AT SLOW SPEEDS MAKING PARKING DIFFICULT AND TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE STOPPED DIFFICULT. STEERING WHEEL BINDS AND IS RESISTANT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IS MOST NOTABLE AFTER VEHICLE IS HOT AND HAS REACHED TEMPERATURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10432685
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST OF STEERING HAPPENS THEN COMES BACK. ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AROUND TURNS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11064690

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch key-stuck and engine stall

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

15 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2023-12

“WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE KEY REMAINED STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. ONCE THE KEY WAS REMOVED, THE IGNITON DID NOT CUT OFF. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10809447
“CAR TURNED OFF OF RUN POSITION STALLED CAUSING ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10650968
“WHEN I ATTEMPT TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE, THE KEY WILL NOT ROTATE TO THE OFF POSITION..THEREFORE, THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR IS STILL ON, DRAINING THE BATTERY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10672082

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical wiring fire and lighting circuit failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2012-07 → 2024-03

“The cable harness in question runs from the fuse box under hood through firewall to the passenger side foot area. At this point it connects to another harness that connects to various items at the rear of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11576777
“CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE TRUNK LIGHT MECHANISM THAT IGNITED A FIRE IN VEHICLE BURNING IT BEYOND REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10545880
“WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE THE HAZARD LIGHTS SEVERAL TIMES HOWEVER THE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10464710

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

65 crashes 1990–2024

How the 65 occupant deaths break down

50

driver deaths

15

passenger deaths

65

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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