This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visually, rather than felt, when viewed from the outside and using the auto-start feature, if equipped.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo powertrain problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of water or ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Warranty Admin service bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC process, GWM Transaction submission, vehicle service record retention and proper handling of assembly returns for Canadian Dealers only.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Monte Carlos consistently report transmission slipping and hard shifting from a stop, where the engine revs but the vehicle doesn't move, then clunks violently into gear and jerks forward. The problem occurs in first gear, causes loud clunking and shuddering, and creates safety hazards in traffic—multiple owners nearly got hit because sudden engagement threw them into adjacent lanes. One owner's transmission was found to have a melted clutch plate and destroyed planetary bearings at 72,000 miles; repair cost $1,800, but slipping recurred within two months.
A torque converter is documented as coming apart inside the transmission at 60,000 miles, causing lockup cycling at highway speed. Shift solenoid wiring was found broken and frayed at 32,000 miles on another vehicle, preventing the car from shifting out of park.
Dealer responses are problematic: multiple owners report Chevy found no error codes despite six or more warranty visits, even as the problem persisted. One owner paid $1,000 out of pocket for engine teardown (separate oil-burning issue) plus $250 for a transmission flush the dealer claimed showed no problem. Manufacturer support declined once the warranty expired or dealer diagnosis was unclear. One transmission required complete repair or replacement; another remained unresolved.
Same Chevrolet Monte Carlo powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slipping and hard shifting from stop
Transmission slips during acceleration from a stop, does not engage smoothly, clunks loudly into gear, and jerks the vehicle forward. Owners report the problem feels like the transmission is missing or slipping, with shuddering/vibration and delayed engagement.
When: 50,000 to 72,000 miles reported; some earlier occurrence at 32,000 miles for shift solenoid wire damage
Symptoms owners cite: Hard shifting and slipping sensation in first gear; Loud clunking noise on takeoff; Engine revs but vehicle does not move, then jerks forward suddenly; Shuddering and vibration during engagement; Loss of traction and tire bark; Delayed response to throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports clutch plate melted and planetary bearings destroyed, requiring $1,800 transmission repair; slippage recurred within 2 months. Another owner paid $1,000 for engine teardown and $250 for transmission flush (no transmission issue found). One repair involved splice of broken and frayed wires at shift solenoid (32,000 miles).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple owners report Chevy found no error codes or problems on test drives despite multiple warranty visits. One owner states manufacturer said if dealer could not diagnose, they could not assist.
Torque converter failure
Torque converter deteriorates internally, causing lockup cycling and eventual breakdown. Owner reports torque converter coming apart inside the transmission, verified by dealer diagnosis.
When: 60,000+ miles; failure observed at highway speed (60 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission lockup cycling in and out at highway speed; Clunking noise on takeoff (unresolved by dealer)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed torque converter coming apart; repair status not specified. Clunking on takeoff remained after visit.
Shift solenoid wiring failure
Wires to shift solenoid become broken and frayed, preventing transmission from shifting out of park intermittently. Dealer repaired by splicing and re-routing wires, but classified failure as wear and tear.
When: 32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not shift out of park intermittently; Broken and frayed wires at shift solenoid
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer removed console and spliced/repaired frayed wires.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer classified as wear and tear at 32,000 miles, declining warranty coverage.
Engine burning oil
Engine consumes oil excessively, reported to dealer under warranty five times before acknowledgment. After warranty expiration at 50,000 miles, owner paid for teardown; dealer replaced pistons and rings but found cylinders not scored.
When: Before 50,000 miles; brought to dealer 5 times under warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil burning
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid $1,000 for engine teardown and $250 for transmission flush (out of warranty). Dealer replaced pistons and rings, charging $3,600+ total. Cylinders reported not scored.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer denied issue 5 times under warranty, admitted problem only after warranty expiration.
Transmission inoperability
Transmission becomes completely inoperative, requiring repair or replacement. One owner reports intermittent complete loss of gear engagement after traffic stop.
When: 60,000 miles (failure); 71,000 miles (current); 118,000 miles (another case)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not respond to accelerator from traffic stop; Unable to shift into any gear; Intermittent complete transmission failure
Repairs/costs cited: One case: transmission repaired or replaced at dealer (118,000 miles). Another case: vehicle not repaired; dealer unable to diagnose intermittent failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated if dealer unable to diagnose, they unable to assist.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Transmission skips gears from a stop to go acceleration. Took my vehicle to a Chevrolet ASE certified repair facility to have checked. The clutch plate was melted along with some planetary bearings destroyed. The repair bill came to 1,800.00 $. Now the vehicle is showing signs of a recurring slippage problem only after 2 months since it was repaired and used parts replaced. Why isn't there a…
Car will not shift out of park intermittently. Dealer found wires to be broken and wires that were frayed at the shift solenoid. They removed console to splice and fix the wires. Dealer deemed wear and tear? At 32,000 miles? (console would have covered these wires totally so not sure where the wear and tear would be from). From putting the car in park? Drive? Reverse? I doubt it was…
Transmission is slipping some times the gears do not seem to catch and it slips and jerks the car into gear causing the car to occasionally lose traction during acceleration. Can be a little scary at times. *tr *js
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 40,000 and 83,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 83,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Chevrolet/Monte Carlo.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.