IllustrationCAR WOULD NOT START DUE TO PASSLOCK SENSOR. THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKED FOR 10 TO 40 MINS AT A TIME AND WOULD NOT ALLOW CAR TO START. IT HAS MADE ME LATE TO WORK, CHURCH, DAYCARE, ETC. IT IS STILL HAPPENING UP TO TODAY'S DATE WHICH IS MAY 19, 2012. *TR
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
200–25K
6525–50K
4750–75K
2375–100K
29100–150K
12150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRES. THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING WAS WIRED INCORRECTLY AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE TRACTIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY WIRES. THE TAIL LIGHT WIRING WAS WIRED INCORRECTLY AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,401. UPDATED 6/6/12 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED DURING ASSEMBLY AT THE GM FACTORY, THE TAIL LIGHT/STOP LIGHT WIRING WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED. ON THE LEFT SIDE, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS WRAPPED AROUND A MOUNTING BOLT AND THE RIGHT SIDE, THE WIRES WERE PINCHED BETWEEN THE SHEET METAL OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY AND THE HOUSING OF THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THE INSULATION ON THE WIRES BECAME WORN AND CAUSED A SHORT AND LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHT FUNCTION. UPDATED 06/11/12
MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE BIZURK. MY SPEEDOMETER ISN'T READING RIGHT. GOING 80 IN A 25 MPH ZONE. OR 120 MPH WHILE TRAVELING 55. NOT. MY THERMOSTAT GAUGE READS HOT ALL THE TIME AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE THERMOSTAT. NOW IN THE PAST WEEK MY FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T REGISTER. THE ONLY PIECE I'M AWARE THAT IS WORKING IS THE …
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MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE BIZURK. MY SPEEDOMETER ISN'T READING RIGHT. GOING 80 IN A 25 MPH ZONE. OR 120 MPH WHILE TRAVELING 55. NOT. MY THERMOSTAT GAUGE READS HOT ALL THE TIME AND NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE THERMOSTAT. NOW IN THE PAST WEEK MY FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T REGISTER. THE ONLY PIECE I'M AWARE THAT IS WORKING IS THE TAC. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF 5 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF 5 MPH. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT SPEED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT SPEED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ
THE SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GO CRAZY CAN BE DOING 20 AND SAYS IM DOING 100. *TR
2004 MONTE CARLO FIRST LOST TEMP GUAGE AND HEAT/BLOWER THEN LOST AT TIMES SPEEDOMETER AND TACH THEN LOST BOTH THEN LOST GAS GUAGE ALL BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL AND DASH-RADIO, CRUISE CONTROL HAVE MELTED AND BURNED OFF I AM NOW LOSING MY HEADLIGHTS AND IN RESPONSE TO THIS I SLAM ON MY BRAKES. NO ACCIDENT YET NO FIRE …
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2004 MONTE CARLO FIRST LOST TEMP GUAGE AND HEAT/BLOWER THEN LOST AT TIMES SPEEDOMETER AND TACH THEN LOST BOTH THEN LOST GAS GUAGE ALL BUTTONS ON STEERING WHEEL AND DASH-RADIO, CRUISE CONTROL HAVE MELTED AND BURNED OFF I AM NOW LOSING MY HEADLIGHTS AND IN RESPONSE TO THIS I SLAM ON MY BRAKES. NO ACCIDENT YET NO FIRE YET PLEASE WE ARE ENTITLED TO OUR RECALL TOO THANK YOU *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
SPEEDOMETER ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING INDICATING A SPEED OF OVER 120 MILES@HOUR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES PER THROUGH A HIGHLY CONTROLLED AREA. YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ON LINE COMMENTS MADE BY OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH NO RESPONSE FROM GM TO THEIR INQUIRIES AND GOUGING BY DEALERS. GM AND …
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SPEEDOMETER ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING INDICATING A SPEED OF OVER 120 MILES@HOUR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES PER THROUGH A HIGHLY CONTROLLED AREA. YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ON LINE COMMENTS MADE BY OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH NO RESPONSE FROM GM TO THEIR INQUIRIES AND GOUGING BY DEALERS. GM AND DEALERS DECLINE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE, WHEN YOU ARE DISREPUTABLE IT WILL CATCH UP, NO WONDER THE AMERICAN AUTO MANUFACTURERS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE. *TR
HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO. SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER CONTINUES TO CLIMB. I WAS FOLLOWING MY HUSBAND WHO WAS DOING 45MPH AND AND I WAS DOING 105 THEN 114 THEN 120 THEN 140 THEN IT DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN. IT SOMETIMES RESETS IT SELF AND OTHER TIMES IT STAYS LIKE THAT FOR DAYS. THE CAR HAS 42,234 MILES ON IT. *KB
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.