NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
230 reports70,000 miles · Oct 14, 2009
Electrical System
TACHOMETER IS THE ONLY GAUGE LEFT WORKING NOW ON MY 2004 MONTE CARLO SS DALE EARNHARDT JR. EDITION. OIL PRESSURE, BOOST GAUGE, WATER TEMP AND FUEL GAUGE ALL SHOW INCORRECT READINGS AT VARIOUS TIMES FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. YESTERDAY THE SPEEDOMETER REFUSED TO SHOW ANY SPEED AT ALL. I AM NOW FORCED TO USE THE CAR'S OVE…
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TACHOMETER IS THE ONLY GAUGE LEFT WORKING NOW ON MY 2004 MONTE CARLO SS DALE EARNHARDT JR. EDITION. OIL PRESSURE, BOOST GAUGE, WATER TEMP AND FUEL GAUGE ALL SHOW INCORRECT READINGS AT VARIOUS TIMES FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. YESTERDAY THE SPEEDOMETER REFUSED TO SHOW ANY SPEED AT ALL. I AM NOW FORCED TO USE THE CAR'S OVERHEAD CONSOLE COMPUTER TO SHOW ME HOW MUCH FUEL I'VE USED AND MY GARMIN GPS TO TELL ME WHAT MY SPEED IS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION TO OPERATE A CAR IN. THE CAR HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT. THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. CHEVY SAYS THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE COST IS PROHIBITIVE. THE CLUSTER ON THE DALE JR. EDITION IS DIFFERENT FROM THE STANDARD CLUSTER (CAR # AND SIGNATURE) SO IT IS UNLIKELY THAT MY CAR WILL REMAIN ORIGINAL WITH A REPLACEMENT CLUSTER. GM NEEDS TO REPLACE OR FIX THE GAUGES ONLY. A SIMPLE SOLUTION THAT WON'T COST A LOT OF MONEY. THERE IS NO NEED TO DO AN EXPENSIVE, DESTRUCTIVE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE CLUSTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287329
60,578 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Electrical System
I OWN A 2004 MONTE CARLO SS, WHETHER DRIVING ON HWY OR CITY ROADS I LOOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, IE LIGHTS,GAUGES,RADIO FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS, ENOUGH TO GET YOUR ATTENTION AND THEN ALL COMES BACK ON, NO INTERRUPTION IN THE RUNNING OF THE CAR, I'M AFRAID THAT IT MAY GET WORSE AND THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN , I HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY…
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I OWN A 2004 MONTE CARLO SS, WHETHER DRIVING ON HWY OR CITY ROADS I LOOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER, IE LIGHTS,GAUGES,RADIO FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS, ENOUGH TO GET YOUR ATTENTION AND THEN ALL COMES BACK ON, NO INTERRUPTION IN THE RUNNING OF THE CAR, I'M AFRAID THAT IT MAY GET WORSE AND THE CAR WILL SHUT DOWN , I HAVE HAD THIS LOOKED AT BY A DEALER SERVICE DEPT AND THEY CAN NOT FIND THE TROUBLE AND THERE ARE NO CODES STORED IN THE COMPUTER, I HAVE 61000 MILES ON AND WE LIKE THE CAR, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE.THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS PLUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286932
30,000 miles · Oct 7, 2009
Electrical System
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2005 MONTE CARLO FLUCTUATES AND WILL STICK AT PAST 140 MPH WHEN I AM DRIVING ALONG AT POSTED SPEEDS. ALSO, MY GAS GAUGE WILL SURPASS THE FULL MARK WHEN I KNOW I HAVE LESS THAN FULL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286695
39,205 miles · Sep 29, 2009
Electrical System
BAD STEPPER MOTORS IN MY TACHOMETER, VOLTMETER AND NOW MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE METER HAVE DIED OR ARE FAULTY, PRODUCING ERRONEOUS READINGS. THE FAILURES SEEM TO BE RANDOMLY OCCURRING AS THE MOTORS SLOWLY DIE OUT, GIVING FALSE READINGS IN EACH GAUGE UNTIL THEY ARE PERMANENTLY STUCK IN A POSITION. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO EACH METER OVE…
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BAD STEPPER MOTORS IN MY TACHOMETER, VOLTMETER AND NOW MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE METER HAVE DIED OR ARE FAULTY, PRODUCING ERRONEOUS READINGS. THE FAILURES SEEM TO BE RANDOMLY OCCURRING AS THE MOTORS SLOWLY DIE OUT, GIVING FALSE READINGS IN EACH GAUGE UNTIL THEY ARE PERMANENTLY STUCK IN A POSITION. THIS HAS OCCURRED TO EACH METER OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WITH METERS GIVING INCORRECT VALUES, SOMETIMES RESETTING AND FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ONCE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, BUT THEN BECOMING INCORRECT ONCE AGAIN. CONSEQUENCES OF THIS COULD LEAD TO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN CASE AN ACTUAL PROBLEM OCCURS IN AREAS OF THE CAR WHERE MONITORING THE SITUATION WOULD EB CRITICAL, SUCH AS IN MY CASE WHEN MY ENGINE COOLANT WAS RUNNING VERY LOW BUT I COULD NOT TELL DUE TO THE GAUGE BEING BROKEN. SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND POTENTIALLY MYSELF COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE ONLY AVAILABLE OPTION IS TO PURCHASE A NEW DASH CLUSTER FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS, WHILE THE PROBLEMATIC MOTORS COST $5 EACH TO REPLACE BUT ALTERING THE DASH IS NOT LEGAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285594
45,000 miles · Aug 4, 2009
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE WORKING PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WERE WORKING PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10279306
80,862 miles · Jul 26, 2009
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL GAUGES GONE BAD FOR MY VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTS AT A RANDOM POINT ON THE GAUGE AND ALWAYS READS INCORRECT. WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS, THE NEEDLE MAY TURN 180 - 360 DEGREES AROUND THE GAUGE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE SPEED, MAKES USING THE CRUISE CONTROL OPTION DANGEROUS, AND A HIGH…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL GAUGES GONE BAD FOR MY VEHICLE. THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STARTS AT A RANDOM POINT ON THE GAUGE AND ALWAYS READS INCORRECT. WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS, THE NEEDLE MAY TURN 180 - 360 DEGREES AROUND THE GAUGE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE SPEED, MAKES USING THE CRUISE CONTROL OPTION DANGEROUS, AND A HIGHER RISK OF GETTING STOPPED FOR A SPEEDING TICKET. THE TACHOMETER GAUGE WORKS 50% OF THE TIME BUT THE OTHER TIMES THE NEEDLE IS IN THE "RED ZONE" GIVING THE DRIVER A FALSE SENSE OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING. THE TEMP GAUGE WORKS 90%, BUT IN COLD WEATHER IT CAN STAY ABOUT THE HALFWAY LINE ALSO SHOW A WRONG READING OF THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278336
82,000 miles · Jun 3, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED FLAMES NEAR THE ENGINE. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED FLAMES NEAR THE ENGINE. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $7,000. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10272759
50,000 miles · May 4, 2009
Power Train
CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK THEN IN REVERSE AND IT WORKED. I DROVE HOME FEELING HESITATION WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE TRANS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 36,000 MILES MY CAR HAS 50,000. I AM LOOKING FOR THEM TO BACK THERE PARTS FOR…
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CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. I PUT IT BACK INTO PARK THEN IN REVERSE AND IT WORKED. I DROVE HOME FEELING HESITATION WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I DROPPED IT OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE TRANS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. THE WARRANTY WAS FOR 36,000 MILES MY CAR HAS 50,000. I AM LOOKING FOR THEM TO BACK THERE PARTS FOR REPLACEMENT THEY WANT TO CHARGE 3,000.00 FOR REPAIR. THEY THEN OFFERED TO GIVE 1,000.00 TOWARDS REPAIR BUT THE WHOLE REASON THE CAR BROKE WAS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267648
67,000 miles · May 3, 2009
Electrical System
THE INST.PANEL CLUSTER HAS STOPPED WORKING IN MY 2004 MONTE CARLO,,,HARD TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267581
120,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Electrical System
FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN THE CLUSTER APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER WILL REGISTER PROPERLY AND THE NEXT MINUTE IT WILL SAY 15 WHEN THE SPEED IS ACTUALLY 55 OR ABOVE. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY TO THIS PROBLEM AS IT WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME. USING THE CRUISE CONTROL APPEARS …
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FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER OTHER INSTRUMENTS IN THE CLUSTER APPEAR TO BE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE SPEEDOMETER WILL REGISTER PROPERLY AND THE NEXT MINUTE IT WILL SAY 15 WHEN THE SPEED IS ACTUALLY 55 OR ABOVE. THERE IS NO CONSISTENCY TO THIS PROBLEM AS IT WILL MALFUNCTION AT ANY TIME. USING THE CRUISE CONTROL APPEARS TO HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM. I AM AMAZED AT ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REGISTERED HERE AND THERE STILL HAS BEEN NO RECALL. GM CAN BE REACHED AT 800-222-1020 AND A COMPLAINT CAN BE FILED WITH THEM ALSO. I INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL AND I WAS NOT ASKED IF I WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAD TO ASK THEM IF I COULD. EVERY CALL SHOULD COUNT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266216
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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