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1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1988 Monte Carlo.

The 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo calls for 4 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil and arrives in the reliability record as a quiet entry: only three owner complaints are documented, with seats flagged as the top problem area and two recalls on file. That data set sits outside the broader 1990–2010 model complaint history, which spans from a single complaint in 1991 to 285 complaints in 2001. For researchers, this means the 1988 model offers minimal documented feedback within the tracked period, so the two recalls and seat-related reports become the most concrete reference points for assessing its real-world record.

Model year2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1988

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	200.4 in
Overall width	71.7 in
Overall height	54.3 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	3137 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Monte Carlo of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 1985 SS Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1987	SS Aerocoupe Coupe 5.0L V8	9.40 sec	16.60 sec	180 hp	RWD
1985	SS Coupe 5.0L V8	7.80 sec	15.90 sec	180 hp	RWD
1983	SS Coupe 5.0L V8	7.97 sec	16.08 sec	175 hp	RWD
1983	SS Coupe 5.0L V8	8.20 sec	16.10 sec	175 hp	RWD
1983	SS Coupe 5.0L V8	8.50 sec	16.40 sec	175 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE GM PART NO. 1050017 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Carburetor Mounting Fasteners (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The JSON contains no federal complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB figures for the 1988 model year; the earliest year recorded is 1990, which shows 0 complaints and 1 recall. From 1990 through 2010 the record reveals a clear trend: complaints remain very low in 1990‑1991, rise sharply through the mid‑1990s (peaking at 285 complaints in 2001), then gradually decline to single‑digit levels by 2008‑2010. Because 1988 precedes the first data point, its place in this arc cannot be determined from the supplied information. Consequently, the data do not specify any known reliability issues or strengths for the 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Takeaway: without federal complaint or recall data for 1988, this source cannot confirm whether it is a good year to buy; a thorough pre‑purchase inspection is advised.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’10

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Seats2

Suspension,Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E043000Fuel System, GasolineReported 19/05/2006

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… 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…

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
000601019	2000-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME OWNERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AFTER A GM GOODWRENCH REMANUFACTURED 4.3L…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Monte Carlo. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 4 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1988 Monte Carlo take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1988 Monte Carlo have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.