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
What owners actually said
230 reports
75,000 miles · Apr 21, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL WOULD REMAIN AT 0 MPH. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL WOULD MOVE 5 MPH EACH ADDITIONAL TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND FAILURE MILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL WOULD REMAIN AT 0 MPH. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE SPEEDOMETER DIAL WOULD MOVE 5 MPH EACH ADDITIONAL TIME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10225218
26,500 miles · Apr 15, 2008
Electrical System
HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE FEB-14-08. REPEATEDLY THE MESSAGE CENTER BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, FOR TEN MINUTES OR LONGER. THEN ALL THE GAUGES IN CLUSTER DROP AS IF CAR IS OFF INCLUDING CRUISE CONTROL, SEAT BELT LIGHT AND CHIME. HAVING TRAVELED FROM NY TO GA I WAS CONCERNED I'D BE STRANDED. CONTACTED ONSTAR DIAGNOSTICS EN ROUTE AND WAS …
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HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE FEB-14-08. REPEATEDLY THE MESSAGE CENTER BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, FOR TEN MINUTES OR LONGER. THEN ALL THE GAUGES IN CLUSTER DROP AS IF CAR IS OFF INCLUDING CRUISE CONTROL, SEAT BELT LIGHT AND CHIME. HAVING TRAVELED FROM NY TO GA I WAS CONCERNED I'D BE STRANDED. CONTACTED ONSTAR DIAGNOSTICS EN ROUTE AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T DETECT A PROBLEM. 29,000 MILES ON IT, BELIEVE FACTORY WARRANTY IS STILL ACTIVE AND WILL TAKE IT IN ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224600
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
36,000 miles · Mar 19, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL DISPLAYED INACCURATE READINGS. HE IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW FAST HE IS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10221799
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
66,540 miles · Mar 15, 2008
Electrical System
MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING FIRST, STILL NOT WORKING. NOW MY SPEEDOMETER ONLY WORKS SOMETIMES NOT REAL SURE IF ITS CORRECT WHEN IT DOES WORK I RECEIVED A SPEEDING TICKET WHEN I DID NOT REALIZE I WAS SPEEDING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221303
76,000 miles · Mar 13, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE SPEEDOMETER NEVER DISPLAYS THE CORRECT SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 04/16/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10221052
43,330 miles · Mar 12, 2008
Electrical System
2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS, 43330 MILES, COMPLETE FAILURE OF SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER IN THE AUTOMOBILE'S DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220861
2,610 miles · Mar 7, 2008
Electrical System
I STARTED MY CAR AND REALIZED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS BURIED ALL TO THE RIGHT. THEN WHEN DRIVING THE CAR MY SPEEDOMETER WAS GIVING FALSE READINGS. WHEN I'M STOPPED IT DISPLAYS 50 MPG. NOW ALL THE GAUGES ARE EITHER ERRATIC OR NOT WORKING AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220428
36,000 miles · Mar 6, 2008
Electrical System
I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO SS THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2004. I HAVE ABOUT 38,000 MILES ON IT AND MY VOLT GAUGE, GAS GAUGE AND MY SPEEDOMETER ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, SPEEDOMETER SHOWS WRONG SPEED AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. GAS AND VOLT GAUGES ARE POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN ALL THE TIME. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND JANUARY.…
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I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO SS THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 2004. I HAVE ABOUT 38,000 MILES ON IT AND MY VOLT GAUGE, GAS GAUGE AND MY SPEEDOMETER ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, SPEEDOMETER SHOWS WRONG SPEED AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. GAS AND VOLT GAUGES ARE POINTING STRAIGHT DOWN ALL THE TIME. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND JANUARY. I SEARCHED AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT I COULD LEAVE A COMPLAINT HERE WITH YOUR AGENCY. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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