1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Recalls, Complaints & Specs

7 safety recalls list the 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Check your own VIN below.

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7 safety recalls for the 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Wheel cylinders (service brakes)

   NHTSA 85V048000 Reported April 29, 1985 1,810,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Excessive enlargement of the wheel cylinder pilot hole in the rear brake backing plate could allow the wheel cylinder to rotate and cause loss of brake fluid. Consequence of defect: a loss of brake fluid leads to loss of rear brake action, creating the potential for an accident. Front brakes would remain operational.

   Remedy: Add a part to prevent wheel cylinder from rotating.

2. Axle shaft (power train)

   NHTSA 84V149000 Reported November 24, 1984 3,100,000 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Rear axle assembly may have axles that were improperly manufactured. This condition may result in separation of the axle shaft and wheel assembly from the vehicle.

   Remedy: The dealer will inspect the rear axle to determine whether it was manufactured at the buffalo plant. If so, they will make axle measurements and if necessary replace or modify affected axle components without charge.

3. Suspension: rear

   NHTSA 81V025000 Reported February 25, 1981 5,821,160 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The bolts that attach the lower rear control arm to the frame may fracture. The rear control arm supports and positions the rear axle. Fracture of the bolts would allow the control arm to drop free.

   Remedy: Both rear control arm attachment bolts will be replaced without charge.

4. Wheel bearing (suspension)

   NHTSA 79V175000 Reported July 23, 1979 1,896,222 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Under certain driving conditions, these vehicles can experience temperatures in the front wheel outer bearing area which can affect the wheel bearing grease. This can result in inadequate lubrication of the bearing. This condition may be further aggravated by improper adjustment of the front wheel spindle nut.

   Remedy: The dealer will install new front wheel outer bearings packed with grease and the spindle will be coated with lubricant. New grease retainer caps will also be installed to maintain grease in outer bearing. This will be…

5. Fan (engine and engine cooling)

   NHTSA 78V139000 Reported June 13, 1978 333,619 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The hub portion of the fan blade assembly could crack due to high stress levels generated during engine operating conditions. Eventually, the blade could break apart at the hub and blade pieces could be propelled into the engine. If the hood is open while the engine is running, the fragments would be free to fly from the vehicle.

   Remedy: Dealer will replace the fan blade assembly without charge to owner.

6. Head restraint (seats)

   NHTSA 78V115000 Reported May 24, 1978 1,643 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Incorrect head restraints may have been installed on the involved vehicles. This fails to comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impacts".

   Remedy: Dealer will replace incorrect head restraints with improved head restraints.

7. Wheel cylinders (service brakes)

   NHTSA 77V181000 Reported October 17, 1977 636 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   The rear brake wheel cylinder retainer on the involved vehicles may not have been properly installed. Should the wheel cylinder retainer become completely disengaged, the wheel cylinder could move outboard causing a loss of brake fluid and a loss of rear braking action.

   Remedy: The dealer will reposition the rear wheel brake cylinder retainers, free of charge, on all affected vehicles.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Chevrolet Monte Carlo model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Monte Carlo model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Other Chevrolet models

• Malibu19,364 complaints
• Silverado 150018,029 complaints
• Impala10,434 complaints
• Tahoe10,032 complaints
• Equinox9,161 complaints
• Silverado8,799 complaints
• Blazer8,192 complaints
• Suburban8,164 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.