IllustrationTL* 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.
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
Exterior Lighting complaints
12 reportsTHOUGHT THIS WAS THE CAR FOR ME. WRONG. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THE FOLLOWING THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG AND MOST SEEM DANGEROUS. NO WAY TO CONTROL HEADLIGHTS .. DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 55 MPH, LIGHTS ALL SHUT OFF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ALSO STOP WORKING AT RANDOM TIMES IGNITION DOES NOT ACCEPT KEY EVERY TIME RESULTING IN LEAVING …
Read full complaint
THOUGHT THIS WAS THE CAR FOR ME. WRONG. AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR THE FOLLOWING THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG AND MOST SEEM DANGEROUS. NO WAY TO CONTROL HEADLIGHTS .. DRIVING AT NIGHT AT 55 MPH, LIGHTS ALL SHUT OFF THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ALSO STOP WORKING AT RANDOM TIMES IGNITION DOES NOT ACCEPT KEY EVERY TIME RESULTING IN LEAVING A SPARE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND HOPE IT STARTS. IF NOT I'M REQUIRED TO WAIT 15 MINUTES BEFORE STARTING OR LONGER. THE TRACTION SYSTEM NO LONGER WORKS, ALONG WITH CRUISE, OR STEERING CONTROLS TOTAL POWER LOST TO STEERING WHEEL, HOPE THIS DOESN'T AFFECT THE AIRBAG. I HAVE THE SUPERCHARGED VERSION, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS NO LONGER SUPERCHARGED. NOT SO SURE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER WHEN PUMPING GAS THE PUMP WILL KICK OFF EVERY HALF GALLON PUMPED INTO TANK. ANOTHER FIRE ISSUE? *TR
AS DRIVING AT 45 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR, I USED MY INDICATOR TO CHANGE LANES. THIS IS A ROAD THAT HAS 3 LANES. I WAS CHANGING LANES INTO THE MIDDLE. I HAD MY STEREO ON AT A NORMAL VOLUME WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR. AS I STARTED TO MOVE INTO THE MIDDLE LANE SO DID ANOTHER CAR FROM THE 3RD LANE. I WAS BEING HONKED AT BY SEVERAL CA…
Read full complaint
AS DRIVING AT 45 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR, I USED MY INDICATOR TO CHANGE LANES. THIS IS A ROAD THAT HAS 3 LANES. I WAS CHANGING LANES INTO THE MIDDLE. I HAD MY STEREO ON AT A NORMAL VOLUME WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR. AS I STARTED TO MOVE INTO THE MIDDLE LANE SO DID ANOTHER CAR FROM THE 3RD LANE. I WAS BEING HONKED AT BY SEVERAL CARS. AS I TRIED TO RECOVER, I WAS ALMOST HIT BY THE CAR MOVING INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND ALMOST CAUSED A BIGGER ACCIDENT BY TRYING TO RECOVER BACK INTO THE LANE I WAS IN. IT WAS AT THIS POINT I REALIZED MY INDICATORS HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. AFTER 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE INDICATORS SUDDENLY CAME BACK ON. FOUR DAYS LATER I WAS IN THE SAME SITUATION. NAVIGATING THE ROADS WITHOUT INDICATORS. OUT OF PANIC I HIT THE HAZARDS. THE LIGHTS ALL TURNED ON WITH THE HAZARD BUTTON. I TURNED IT OFF AND NOW THE INDICATORS WERE WORKING AGAIN. WELL THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A ONE TIME THING. EVERY TIME THE INDICATORS HAVE GONE OUT SINCE, NOTHING WORKS TO GET THEM WORKING AGAIN. *TR
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 TRACTIO…
Read full complaint
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
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 …
Read full complaint
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 WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGAGED THE LOW BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGAGED THE LOW BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIMMER SWITCH. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON CONSISTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON CONSISTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS , LAST NIGHT, I OPERATED THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED HEADLIGHT DIMMER CONTROL. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER WIGGLING THE LEVER THEY CAME BACK ON BUT I WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH THEM FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FIND NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING.…
Read full complaint
AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS , LAST NIGHT, I OPERATED THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED HEADLIGHT DIMMER CONTROL. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. AFTER WIGGLING THE LEVER THEY CAME BACK ON BUT I WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH THEM FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM. I'VE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FIND NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NOT AN ACCIDENT RELATED TO MY INCIDENT. *TR
I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON MY 2004 CHEVY MONTE CARLO. WHEN TURNING HIGH BEAM ON AND OFF THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOOSE CONNECTION THERE AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE TIMES TO CHANGE THE BEAM SELECTION. OCCASIONALLY MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT COMPLETELY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ON MY 2004 CHEVY MONTE CARLO. WHEN TURNING HIGH BEAM ON AND OFF THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOOSE CONNECTION THERE AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES MULTIPLE TIMES TO CHANGE THE BEAM SELECTION. OCCASIONALLY MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OUT COMPLETELY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I DON'T FEEL THAT THIS PART SHOULD BE WORN FOR THE AMOUNT OF DRIVING I DO IN THE EVENING WHERE I WOULD USE THIS FUNCTION. MY VEHICLE HAS 86,289 MILES ON IT AND AGAIN, MAJORITY WOULD BE DAYTIME DRIVING. THIS PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO AND HAS SINCE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM USING STEERING MOUNTED SWITCH THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. THE LIGHTS WOULD ONLY COME BACK ON AFTER REPEATED SWITCHING OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH. *TR
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.