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2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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.

5 crash reports11 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

151 reports
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65,000 miles · Apr 10, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER READS 100 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT IS REALLY DRIVING 30 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURS DAILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $350-400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER READS 100 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT IS REALLY DRIVING 30 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURS DAILY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST $350-400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10264928

65,000 miles · Apr 10, 2009
Electrical System

THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR UNTIL ONE NIGHT AND THEY SUDDENLY I LOOK DOWN AND MY SPEEDOMETER SAYS I'M GOING 110 WHEN I'M ONLY GOING 30. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I WILL BE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND THEN MY SPEEDOMETER WILL BE READING THE WRONG THING. MY TACHOMETER WILL BE WRONG AS WELL. I WENT TO THE GM DEALER…

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THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR UNTIL ONE NIGHT AND THEY SUDDENLY I LOOK DOWN AND MY SPEEDOMETER SAYS I'M GOING 110 WHEN I'M ONLY GOING 30. THIS HAPPENS EVERY DAY. I WILL BE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND THEN MY SPEEDOMETER WILL BE READING THE WRONG THING. MY TACHOMETER WILL BE WRONG AS WELL. I WENT TO THE GM DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT TO FIX IT WOULD BE 350 DOLLARS. WHILE I WAS THERE THEY SAID THAT THE GM TRUCKS HAD A RECALL FOR THEY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND IT IS THE SAME ONE THAT IS IN MY MONTE CARLO. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TOWARDS ANYONE WHO HAS THIS TYPE OF MODEL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264923

25,502 miles · Mar 27, 2009
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 3/05 BRAND NEW OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR, CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 38K MILES ON THE VEHICLE -SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE MORE THAN 20 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL CHIME --THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON FOR APPROX 15 TO 20 MINUTES-HAVE H…

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I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE 3/05 BRAND NEW OFF THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR, CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 38K MILES ON THE VEHICLE -SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE MORE THAN 20 TIMES WHILE DRIVING ALL OF THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE SEATBELT LIGHT WILL CHIME --THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON FOR APPROX 15 TO 20 MINUTES-HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE ON FOR SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED MODULE AFTER MODULE -CANNOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 50MPH OR MORE THE VEHICLE WILL JUST TURN OFF AND EVERYTHING WILL LOCK UP. VEHICLE WILL RESTART RIGHT AWAY BUT THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO STALL OR TURN OFF --HAD IN FOR SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES -HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND THEN IT WILL HAPPEN ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS VEHICLE IS A HAZARD TO BE ON THE ROAD -AS CHEVROLET TRULY HAS NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, THEY BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE REMOTE START IN THE VEHICLE -THEY REPLACED THAT NUMEROUS TIMES AND FINALLY REMOVED ALL TOGETHER AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THERE IS NO TELLING WHEN THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF IT WILL BE FINE FOR DAYS AND THE PROBLEM WILL RESURFACE. LAST INCIDENT DATE WAS 3/27/09 -PROBLEM STARTED IN 2007. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263248

30,715 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL WOULD BEGIN AT 80 MPH AND WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN TO 0 MPH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL WOULD BEGIN AT 80 MPH AND WOULD NOT GO BACK DOWN TO 0 MPH. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT HAS SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE REPAIR. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,765 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,715.

NHTSA ODI #10263069

60,000 miles · Mar 24, 2009
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT WORK, IT MIGHT READ 35MPH WHEN YOUR ARE GOING 55MPH, OR IT MIGHT READ 99MPH WHEN YOUR GOING 55MPH. SOMETIMES IT STAY AT 35 MPH WHEN YOU STOP, AND STARTS FROM THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262974

60,000 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWEVER, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED ACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWEVER, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DISPLAYED ACCURATE READINGS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 3/27/09 *CN UPDATED 03/31/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10261521

42,000 miles · Mar 4, 2009
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE, LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260677

112,103 miles · Mar 3, 2009
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/ SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION, ERRATICALLY READS VEHICLE SPEED OR NOT AT ALL. ALL ELSE WORKS WELL. LOVE MY MONTE BUT IT IS ANNOYING TO SAY THE LEAST TO BE AS O.C.D ABOUT MY CAR AS I AM AND TO HAVE THIS MAJOR PART OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CAR AND DRIVER GO BAD CHEVY ADMITS TO HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THIS ITEM, BUT WIL…

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/ SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTION, ERRATICALLY READS VEHICLE SPEED OR NOT AT ALL. ALL ELSE WORKS WELL. LOVE MY MONTE BUT IT IS ANNOYING TO SAY THE LEAST TO BE AS O.C.D ABOUT MY CAR AS I AM AND TO HAVE THIS MAJOR PART OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CAR AND DRIVER GO BAD CHEVY ADMITS TO HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THIS ITEM, BUT WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT, UNLESS I FORK OVER $ 600.00 FOR PARTS AND REPAIR. CHEVY.... GOD DON'T LIKE UGLY!*TR

NHTSA ODI #10260634

70,000 miles · Feb 12, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL RANDOMLY MOVES UP AND DOWN REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS DISPLAYED 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN, AS WELL AS 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS REALLY TRA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL RANDOMLY MOVES UP AND DOWN REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED. THE SPEEDOMETER HAS DISPLAYED 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP SIGN, AS WELL AS 15 MPH WHEN THE CONTACT WAS REALLY TRAVELING AT LEAST 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. CURRENTLY, THE DIAL REMAINS AT ZERO. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT BECAUSE SHE IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT SPEED SHE IS TRAVELING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

NHTSA ODI #10258472

45,000 miles · Feb 10, 2009
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL MOVED BACK AND FORTH INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL MOVED BACK AND FORTH INADVERTENTLY. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,700 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10258265

Official recalls

4

15V701000 · 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.