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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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104,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, IT BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. A POLICE REPORT AND A FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10818120

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2015
Electrical System

MY GAGES SOMETIMES WORK WHEN THEWY DO IT IS INACCURATE INFORMATION. SOMETIMES THEY DONT WORK AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI #10731950

15,000 miles · Jun 4, 2015
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. IN JUNE OF 2015, A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WAS RECEIVED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723334

Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2015
Electrical System

2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE. *SMD

NHTSA ODI #10704704

150,000 miles · Mar 26, 2015
Electrical SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND THE RIGHT SHOULDER BLADE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG AND THE RIGHT SHOULDER BLADE THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10701936

100,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. ALSO THE ENTIRE WARNING PANEL ILLUMINATED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. ALSO THE ENTIRE WARNING PANEL ILLUMINATED AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER SEIZED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 7/29/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO BUCK LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO STALL. THE CONSUMER DISCONTINUED DRIVING THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/13/15*JS

NHTSA ODI #10701653

196,385 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE KEYS RELEASED OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFAC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE KEYS RELEASED OUT OF THE IGNITION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,385. UPDATED 09/21/15*LJ UPDATED 09/24/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10682258

260,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Electrical System

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTI…

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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING RESULTS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000. DJR

NHTSA ODI #10670666

65,000 miles · Dec 13, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BY THE DOOR UPON INVESTIGATION NOTICE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE A WIRE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX WAS BURNED AS WELL AS THE FUSE BOX WAS BURNED ALSO, AFTER THIS HAPPENED OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES STARTED SHOWING …

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NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH BY THE DOOR UPON INVESTIGATION NOTICE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE A WIRE COMING FROM THE FUSE BOX WAS BURNED AS WELL AS THE FUSE BOX WAS BURNED ALSO, AFTER THIS HAPPENED OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES STARTED SHOWING DOORS AJAR, DOME LIGHTS STAY ON ALL OF THE TIME,REAR DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING, THE BODY SENSING COMPONENTS ARE NOT WORKING, I AM AFRAID THE THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS WELL AS MAKING IT A DANGER TO DRIVE, THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN MULTIPLE FORUMS STATING THAT 2002-2008 MONTE CARLO, IMPALA AND OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10664107

189,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngineCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A BODY OF WATER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A BODY OF WATER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PULLED OUT OF THE WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATIONS AND HAD A SWOLLEN ANKLE THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000. UPDATED 12/30/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10660897

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.