SECURITY LIGHTS COMES ON AND CAR DIES,IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY,CAR START BUT DIES
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Monte Carlo years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
196 reports with mileage · 34 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 151 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
151 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY EXPLODED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY EXPLODED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE FAILED TO WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (VAN CHEVROLET, 100 NW VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118, (816) 527-8564) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE FAILED TO WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (VAN CHEVROLET, 100 NW VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118, (816) 527-8564) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
INTERMENT CLUSTER GAUGES NOT WORKING
I TOOK MY CAR INTO JOHN HALL CHEVROLET ON 5/19/2017 TO HAVE THE IGNITION RECALL DONE.PRIOR TO MY TAKING IT THERE I WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR THAT NO SINGLE DIAGNOSTIC COULD QUITE PINPOINT.NEEDLESS TO SAY I REPLACED SEVERAL THINGS YET TO NO PREVAIL.THE CAR WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING LUCKILY BEFORE I REACHED OVER 10…
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I TOOK MY CAR INTO JOHN HALL CHEVROLET ON 5/19/2017 TO HAVE THE IGNITION RECALL DONE.PRIOR TO MY TAKING IT THERE I WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR THAT NO SINGLE DIAGNOSTIC COULD QUITE PINPOINT.NEEDLESS TO SAY I REPLACED SEVERAL THINGS YET TO NO PREVAIL.THE CAR WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING LUCKILY BEFORE I REACHED OVER 10 MPH AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE TRYING TO TURN IN TRAFFIC I LOST POWER STEERING.ALL WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION.FINALLY A MORE UPDATED SENSOR SCANNER DETECTED AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITHIN THE IGNITION ITSELF.WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ONLY DO WHAT THE RECALL REQUIRED THEM TO DO. EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM WHAT IT WAS DOING AND ASKED IF THEY COULD CHECK TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LEAVING THERE AND THE CAR SHUTTING OFF AND /OR NO POWER STEERING I WAS TOLD NO .I WOULD HAVE PAID TO KNOW,TO HAVE THEM SCAN IT, WHATEVER.NEEDLESS TO SAY AFTER THEY FIXED THEIR PART THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING.EVEN WHEN THE MAN BROUGHT ME MY CAR I ASKED HOW DID SHE START? HE SAID NOT GOOD AND WALKED AWAY. ALSO I LEFT THEM WITH 1 KEY SHOULDN'T THERE HAVE BEEN SOMETHING DONE TO BOTH? MY CAR MAY BE OLD BUT SHE'S BEEN WELL MAINTAINED .GREAT STRONG MOTOR AND ALOT OF NEW PARTS. THE STARTER AND FUEL PUMP WERE PRETTY MUCH WRECKED BY THE LITTLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITHIN THE IGNITION. CONFUSED AND OVERHEATED SIMPLY TRYING TO START THE CAR AND HOPE IT STAYS RUNNING.IT'S THAT ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT KEEPS SAYING YES ENOUGH VOLTAGE THEN NOPE CAN'T HAVE IT. IT'S BEEN PROVEN NOT ONLY BY SCANNING BUT BY READING AND TESTING .
KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE NOR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ENGINE. LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO. BELIEVE THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE KEYS FOR THE IGNITION BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE SECURITY WARNING L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE KEYS FOR THE IGNITION BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE PASS LOCK PROTECTION SYSTEM WAS UNABLE TO BE OVERRIDDEN SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE CONTACT CALLED A L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCKSMITH TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION WAS UNLOCKED; HOWEVER, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE RECALL. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED WHEN THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Official recalls
415V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe
Oct 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.
15V201000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Apr 6, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition
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.
04V287000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Jun 23, 2004
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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