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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

Suspension complaints

5 reports
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50,000 miles · Nov 22, 2015
Service BrakesSteeringSuspension

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY STEERING WAS TIGHTER AT 75 MPH. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHICH HAS FLASHED ON BEFORE ABOUT 6 TIMES BUT QUICKLY WENT OFF. I THOUGHT THOSE TIME MY CAR WAS JUST HAVING A COMPUTER FLUKE. BUT THIS TIME THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT WITH MY STEERING TIGHT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID IT WAS OFF. M…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY STEERING WAS TIGHTER AT 75 MPH. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHICH HAS FLASHED ON BEFORE ABOUT 6 TIMES BUT QUICKLY WENT OFF. I THOUGHT THOSE TIME MY CAR WAS JUST HAVING A COMPUTER FLUKE. BUT THIS TIME THE ABS LIGHT WAS LIT WITH MY STEERING TIGHT. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID IT WAS OFF. MY BRAKES STARTED TO LOCK ON ME AS I TRIED TO PULL OVER WHICH WAS A HASSLE CONSIDERING I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL EASILY . EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT ALTHOUGH IT WAS A CLOSE CALL. IT TOOK MORE THAN 1/2 A MILE TO GET MY CAR TO STOP. MY CAR WAS TOWED. THE WHEEL HUB WAS SO DAMAGED THAT THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY ARE SURPRISED IT DIDN'T FALL OFF. THE SENSORS WERE JUST FLOATING AROUND . THUS MY ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR ANY OTHER SITUATION TO CAUSE THIS DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE HAD 50,000 ORIGINAL MILES AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE SWAY BAR COMPLETELY BROKEN. WHICH I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR SHOP HAS SEEN SEVERAL GM VEHICLE'S WITH THIS SWAY BAR PROBLEM. MY LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS IT WAS DAMAGED WITH THE OTHER COMPONENTS. I DO HAVE PROOF OF REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #10795312

120,000 miles · May 20, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSuspensionFire

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 …

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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

NHTSA ODI #10592925

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2008
Suspension

2004 CHEVY MONTE CARLO WITH DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM CASTING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE ALUMINUM CASTING BROKE WHERE THE BALL JOINT IS MOUNTED TO THE WHEEL. SHE STATES THAT THE INSURANCE WILL PAY ALL BUT $500. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10222834

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2008
Suspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE SUSPENSION DROPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BOTTOM FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MILEAGES AND PURCHASE DATE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10221439

51,000 miles · Nov 26, 2004
Suspension

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE SHIMMIED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10101675

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.