NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
11 reportsClear category filter160,000 miles · Sep 13, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower TrainFire
MY 2003 MONTE SS HAD BEEN SMOKING AND HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & SHIFTING AND PUT ON TESTERS AND READ CODE AND I NEEDED A AIR FLOW SENSOR SO I HAD THAT PUT ON, WAS RECOMMENDED I GET TUNE UP SO I GOT THAT, AND HAD JUST PUT NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR I WAS LEAVING GAS STATION AND …
Read full complaint
MY 2003 MONTE SS HAD BEEN SMOKING AND HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & SHIFTING AND PUT ON TESTERS AND READ CODE AND I NEEDED A AIR FLOW SENSOR SO I HAD THAT PUT ON, WAS RECOMMENDED I GET TUNE UP SO I GOT THAT, AND HAD JUST PUT NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR I WAS LEAVING GAS STATION AND LOST ACCELERATION AGAIN AND THE CAR SMOKED AGAIN. I SOON LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING GAS & BREAKS AND WINDOWS. PEOPLE PASSING BY WERE HONKING AND SAID THE UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND UNDER HOOD HAD FLAMES IN FRONT OF CAR. I HAD TO THROW IT IN PARK AND JUMP OUT BECAUSE THE PEDDLES QUIT WORKING AND THE CAR EXPLODED IN FLAMES AND HAD I NOT HAD MY WINDOW DOWN I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE AND COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. THE ENGINE AND WHOLE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAR BURNED UP WITH 3-5 MINUTES. THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR AND THE ONLY MEANS OF GETTING DISABLED CHILD TO THE APPOINTMENTS HE NEEDED AND TO WORK AND HAS PUT HARDSHIP ON OUR FAMILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10632913
221,549 miles · Apr 9, 2014
Power TrainCrash
VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2000-2005 IMPALA AND MONTE CARLO MODELS. TRANSMISSION MAKES GOING IN MOTION FROM A STOP DELAYED. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SERVICED ON/REPLACED TWICE. HAS CAUSED A MINOR ACCIDENT ONLY BECAUSE BOTH PARTIES WERE GOING SLOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578652
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2012
Power TrainSteering
WHEN THE CAR IS BEING PUT INTO REVERSE, THE GEAR SHIFTER STICKS AND IS VERY HARD TO SHIFT. I HAVE TO PUT FORCE ON IT TO SHIFT GEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10452139
57,000 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Power TrainTraction Control System
JUST PURCHASED 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS 2D TODAY, VEHICLE HAS 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT (SLIPS), WHEN PULLING OFF FROM STATIONARY POSITION VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER THEN JERK/CLUNK FORWARD LIKE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND ONLY OCCURS WHEN PULLING OFF FROM STAND STILL POSITION OR MAKING TURNS, ALSO NOTICED DASH BOARD PANEL IS SEPARATING…
Read full complaint
JUST PURCHASED 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS 2D TODAY, VEHICLE HAS 1ST GEAR ENGAGEMENT (SLIPS), WHEN PULLING OFF FROM STATIONARY POSITION VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER THEN JERK/CLUNK FORWARD LIKE BEING HIT FROM BEHIND ONLY OCCURS WHEN PULLING OFF FROM STAND STILL POSITION OR MAKING TURNS, ALSO NOTICED DASH BOARD PANEL IS SEPARATING FROM AIRBAG COMPARTMENT AND GLUE/FOAM SHOWING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394494
103,000 miles · Jun 2, 2010
Power Train
2003 MONTE CARLO SS. NEW PROBLEM, BUT OCCURS EVERY TIME THIS SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IS FOLLOWED. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON AFTER BACKING UP WITH STEERING WHEEL TURNED, THEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. LIGHT IS ACCOMPANIED BY GROWLING SOUND FROM FRONT END. PAVEMENT IS DRY, SO THERE IS NO VALID TRACTION ISS…
Read full complaint
2003 MONTE CARLO SS. NEW PROBLEM, BUT OCCURS EVERY TIME THIS SEQUENCE OF EVENTS IS FOLLOWED. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON DASH COMES ON AFTER BACKING UP WITH STEERING WHEEL TURNED, THEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE AND MOVING FORWARD. LIGHT IS ACCOMPANIED BY GROWLING SOUND FROM FRONT END. PAVEMENT IS DRY, SO THERE IS NO VALID TRACTION ISSUE. LIGHT TURNS OFF AFTER 5 - 10 SECONDS AND GROWLING SOUND DISAPPEARS. HAVE NOT HAD VEHICLE CHECKED OUT BY CHEVROLET YET, BUT I SEE A HUGE EXPENSE COMING. APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE MONTE CARLO / IMPALA BASED ON VARIOUS WEBSITE REPORTS. SEEMS CHEVROLET SHOULD HAVE SOME RESPONSIBILITY HERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10334280
34,000 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Power Train
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STATIONARY POSITION THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG AND THEN JERK FORWARD LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM ON OTHER VEHICLES. THE PROB…
Read full complaint
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A STATIONARY POSITION THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG AND THEN JERK FORWARD LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM ON OTHER VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING; THIS IS A FAILURE THAT ONLY OCCURS YOURE PULLING OFF FROM A STAND STILL POSITION. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34000 AND THE CURRENT FAILURE 41000.RL
NHTSA ODI #10326617
84,569 miles · Aug 20, 2008
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SNAP SIMILAR TO THE SOUND OF A RUBBER BAND. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. A DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LINES HAD RUPTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SNAP SIMILAR TO THE SOUND OF A RUBBER BAND. THE VEHICLE THEN LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. A DIAGNOSTIC INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LINES HAD RUPTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT THE PIT STOP AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,569 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
NHTSA ODI #10239020
41,500 miles · Sep 28, 2005
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK, HEARD A CLUNK-GRIND SOUND ON A RIGHT TURN. DROVE TO WORK ANYWAY ON THE FREEWAY - ABOUT 15 MINUTES. WHEN PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT, TURNING RIGHT, THE CLUNK-GRIND SOUND APPEARED AGAIN AND THEN JUST MADE A GRINDING SOUND. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN RIG…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK, HEARD A CLUNK-GRIND SOUND ON A RIGHT TURN. DROVE TO WORK ANYWAY ON THE FREEWAY - ABOUT 15 MINUTES. WHEN PULLING INTO MY PARKING SPOT, TURNING RIGHT, THE CLUNK-GRIND SOUND APPEARED AGAIN AND THEN JUST MADE A GRINDING SOUND. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO A CHEVY DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS A BROKEN RIGHT-FRONT AXLE. THE DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPAIRING, BUT THE CAR IS LESS THAN TWO FULL YEARS OLD AND HAS ONLY 41,500 MILES. I CALLED CHEVORLET CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ARE PICKING UP ALMOST 50% OF THE $600 REPAIR BILL. THANK GOODNESS THIS DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS DRIVING 75 MPH. ON THE FREEWAY!*JB
NHTSA ODI #10137986
36,000 miles · Mar 5, 2005
Power Train
CAR BEGAN HAVING A HARD SHIFT IN ALL GEARS AT 41,000 MILES, 5,000 MILES OUT OF 3 YEAR/36,000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THE HIGH MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS DUE TO EXTENSIVE HIGHWAY TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK. THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED WAS A LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE, DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTOR CLUTCH SYLENOID, AND A DEFECTIVE …
Read full complaint
CAR BEGAN HAVING A HARD SHIFT IN ALL GEARS AT 41,000 MILES, 5,000 MILES OUT OF 3 YEAR/36,000 BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. THE HIGH MILEAGE ON MY VEHICLE IS DUE TO EXTENSIVE HIGHWAY TRAVEL TO AND FROM WORK. THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED WAS A LEAKING TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE, DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTOR CLUTCH SYLENOID, AND A DEFECTIVE PRESSURE CONTROL SYLENOID. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT UPON MANUFACTURING A WIRE TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRIMPED. ALL PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10112553
3,000 miles · Jul 18, 2003
Power Train
TRANSMISSION DELAYED FIRST GEAR ENGAGEMENT (SLIPS). DEFECTIVE PRESSURE VALVE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP " PER SERVICE BULLETIN". *JB
NHTSA ODI #10028603
Official recalls
6Oct 26, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
Jul 3, 2014
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
Apr 8, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Jul 15, 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
Feb 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗