NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
151 reportsClear category filter50,000 miles · Nov 21, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 12/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/15/08. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10249498
79,000 miles · Nov 17, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO LS AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. I HAVE DEALT WITH IT AND PAID AN ISSUED SPEEDING TICKET. TODAY THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING HOT. I IMMEDIATELY PANICKED AND PULLED OVER WONDERING WHY MY CAR WOULD BE OVER HEATING AFTER ONLY…
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I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO LS AND ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED AND NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. I HAVE DEALT WITH IT AND PAID AN ISSUED SPEEDING TICKET. TODAY THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS READING HOT. I IMMEDIATELY PANICKED AND PULLED OVER WONDERING WHY MY CAR WOULD BE OVER HEATING AFTER ONLY 2 MILES WORTH OF DRIVING. I SAT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE OPENING THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOT AND HAD COOLANT. WHEN I GOT IN TO CONTINUE MY DRIVE I STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT ALL THE WAY PAST HOT TO THE 9 O'CLOCK POSITION WHERE IT IS NOW STUCK RESTING AGAINST THE FUEL GAUGE. IM NOW AFRAID OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE SPECIALLY IF THE NEXT GAUGE GOES TOO. THE REPAIR MUST BE DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT 500-1500 DOLLARS. I AM A PARENT OF 6 AND DO NOT HAVE THAT MONEY. I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS SUCH A BIG ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I JUST WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. I WANT TO KNOW WHY THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10249003
Mileage unknown · Nov 11, 2008
Electrical System
MY 2004 CHEVY MONTE CARLO DASH BOARD JUST STOP WORKING GM DID NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM I AM STILL DRIVING WITHOUT ANY DASH BOARD INSTRUMENTS AND THEY WONDER WHY AMERICANS BUY HONDAS THIS IS THE LAST CHEVY FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248502
41,000 miles · Sep 23, 2008
Electrical System
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND TEMP GAUGE SUDDENLY GOES IN CIRCLES AND FINALLY STOPS BELOW THE COLD TEMP , LESS THAN WHERE THE NEEDLE USUALLY IS WHEN YOU FIRST START UP THE CAR. DOES NOT GO BACK TO WORKING, COOLANT SENSOR IS OK, ACCORDING TO CHEVY DEALER, NEED WHOLE NEW CLUSTER INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243257
50,000 miles · Aug 14, 2008
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONS. TACH, GAS GAUGE, AND SPEEDOMETER. ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES I LOOK AT SPEEDOMETER AND IT SAYS 70 MPH WHEN I AM DOING 25 MPH AND SOMETIMES IT SAYS 25MPH WHEN I AM DOING 70 MPH. STARTED AT ABOUT 50K MILES. CHEVY DID RECALL ON TRUCKS OF THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MONTE …
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INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONS. TACH, GAS GAUGE, AND SPEEDOMETER. ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES I LOOK AT SPEEDOMETER AND IT SAYS 70 MPH WHEN I AM DOING 25 MPH AND SOMETIMES IT SAYS 25MPH WHEN I AM DOING 70 MPH. STARTED AT ABOUT 50K MILES. CHEVY DID RECALL ON TRUCKS OF THIS YEAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MONTE CARLO'S. REPLACEMENT COST CAN RUN ANYWHERE FROM 600 TO 2000 DOLLARS. MONEY I DO NOT HAVE AT PRESENT. FILING COMPLAINT TO ADD TO OTHER COMPLAINTS. IF ENOUGH COMPLAIN THEN MAYBE CHEVY WILL DO SOMETHING.. ONE OF THOSE THINGS YOU EXPECT NEVER TO GO WRONG......... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238297
17,000 miles · Aug 13, 2008
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING VECHICAL ONLY HAD 19,000MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10237965
33,000 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD GO TO 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 35 MPH EVEN THOUGH HE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A YEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD GO TO 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ 35 MPH EVEN THOUGH HE WAS DRIVING 65 MPH. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A YEAR AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE TRAVELS AT SPEEDS THAT ARE NOT WITHIN REGULATION AND COULD LEAD TO SPEEDING TICKETS AND CRASHES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
NHTSA ODI #10237098
55,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO SS, AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER STARTING ACTING UNRELIABLE. SOMETIMES I REGISTERS 30 MPH WHEN I AM AT 70, OTHER TIMES IT WILL STICK AT 71 MPH WHEN I AM AT ZERO. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY WITH DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS, IS UNRELIABLE. I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY MENTION IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE…
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I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO SS, AT ABOUT 55,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER STARTING ACTING UNRELIABLE. SOMETIMES I REGISTERS 30 MPH WHEN I AM AT 70, OTHER TIMES IT WILL STICK AT 71 MPH WHEN I AM AT ZERO. IT OCCURS RANDOMLY WITH DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS, IS UNRELIABLE. I CALLED THE LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY MENTION IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND OTHER GM VEHICLES I AM TOLD HAD RECALLS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. NOT BEING ABLE TO RELIABLY KNOW THE SPEED IN ALL SITUATIONS IS A RISK TO THE OPERATORS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235260
34,000 miles · Jul 21, 2008
Electrical SystemStructure
ALL DASH GAUGES HAVE FAILED (ONE AT A TIME) INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER (WHICH WAS THE LAST GAUGE TO FAIL ON 7-21-08). TRUNK RELEASE (ELECTRONIC) FAILED. HAVE BEEN TOLD THE ONLY WAY TO GET DASH CLUSTER REPAIRED IS THROUGH A DEALER. DEALER REFUSES TO SELL NECESSARY PART TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235228
28,800 miles · Jul 15, 2008
Electrical System
2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO - (APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES) UNABLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL SPEED WHEN DRIVING CAR: SPEEDOMETER HANGS (DOES NOT RETURN TO ZERO) WHEN STOPPED. SUBSEQUENT DRIVING CONTINUES TO INCREASE SPEED READING. EVENTUALLY SPEEDOMETER STAYS STUCK AT 140 MPH. CHEVROLET SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THIS F…
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2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO - (APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES) UNABLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL SPEED WHEN DRIVING CAR: SPEEDOMETER HANGS (DOES NOT RETURN TO ZERO) WHEN STOPPED. SUBSEQUENT DRIVING CONTINUES TO INCREASE SPEED READING. EVENTUALLY SPEEDOMETER STAYS STUCK AT 140 MPH. CHEVROLET SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THIS FAILURE. COST TO REPAIR $500 TO $800. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234433
Official recalls
4Oct 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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