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
41,031 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Service Brakes
I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAID TRACTION CONTROL OFF , SERVICE ABS. I THOUGHT OH GREAT. I DROVE TO THE STORE AND THE VEHICLE DROVE LIKE USUAL. I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND THE MESSAGE WAS NOW OFF THE MESSAGE BOARD ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A FEW DAYS LATER I TURN ON THE CAR AND THE MESSAGE APPEARS. MID D…
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I TURNED THE VEHICLE ON. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SAID TRACTION CONTROL OFF , SERVICE ABS. I THOUGHT OH GREAT. I DROVE TO THE STORE AND THE VEHICLE DROVE LIKE USUAL. I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND THE MESSAGE WAS NOW OFF THE MESSAGE BOARD ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A FEW DAYS LATER I TURN ON THE CAR AND THE MESSAGE APPEARS. MID DRIVING THE MESSAGE DISAPPEARED. THE NEXT DAY THE MESSAGE APPEARS AGAIN. I TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND TURN ON THE VEHICLE AGAIN THIS TIME THE MESSAGE IS GONE. THIS STILL CONTINUES. NOT AS FREQUENT. BUT I LIKE OTHERS THINK EVERYTHING IS OK AS SOON AS THE MESSAGE IS GONE. WHAT IF THIS ISN'T THE CASE. WHAT IF SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ABS. WOULDN'T THE MESSAGE STAY IN THE MESSAGE CENTER? UPDATED 06/17/14 *BF *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578949
26,438 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Electrical System
AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AS REACHED ABOUT 15 MPH THE CLUSTER PANEL STARTED TO SPIN AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF IT'S OWN. SINCE THEN I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST IM GOING. I COULD BE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND IT SAYS IM GOING 90. I COULD BE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND IM GOING FASTER THEN MY GAUGES CAN READ. I HAVE NO GAS GAUGE. IT READS A DIFF…
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AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AS REACHED ABOUT 15 MPH THE CLUSTER PANEL STARTED TO SPIN AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF IT'S OWN. SINCE THEN I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST IM GOING. I COULD BE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND IT SAYS IM GOING 90. I COULD BE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND IM GOING FASTER THEN MY GAUGES CAN READ. I HAVE NO GAS GAUGE. IT READS A DIFFERENT AMOUNT ANY GIVEN MINUTE. MY CAR OVER HEATED ON 12/18/2013 THANKS TO HAVING A GAUGE READ THAT MY TEMPERATURES WERE FINE. BUT REALLY THEY WEREN'T. IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW HOW FAST IM GOING. IF MY CAR IS ABOUT TO OVERHEAT. IF I NEED GAS. LONG ROAD TRIPS ARE OUT OF THE QUESTION. BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE I PAID FOR THIS CAR. ONLY TO HAVE IT FAIL AT 26,000 MILES. IT WASN'T COVERED BY BUMPER TO BUMPER AS IT TOOK ME MORE THAN 3 YEARS TO GET TO 26,000 MILES. I DON'T WANT TO BE TAKING A CURVE TOO FAST AND CRASH MY CAR BECAUSE IM NOT EQUIPPED WITH MANDATORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT TO DRIVE. NOTHING ON THE CLUSTER PANEL WORKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578935
76,425 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Visibility
ABOUT A WEEK AGO MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW HAS STARTED TO SLIP FROM THE TRACKS SO ITS GOING TO BE IN SHOP AGAIN! REALLY ANNOYED WITH GM'S CAR AT THIS POINT!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572992
76,399 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Visibility/wiper
PASSENGER SIDE WIPER FAILED, HAD TO SPEND $50 IN SHOP TO GET IT TO WORK PROPERLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572989
76,000 miles · Mar 17, 2014
Electrical System
DRIVING BACK HOME FROM MY MOTHERS AND MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED SO FOR BOUT MONTH I HAD NO CLUE HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN CAR, HOW FAST I WAS GOING, OIL ETC TOOK ME OVER A MONTH B4 I FINALLY HAD SAVED THE MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED AND SEEING AS I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND SEEING SAME COMPLAINTS I WAS BEYOND PISSED THAT I HAD TO PAY $560…
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DRIVING BACK HOME FROM MY MOTHERS AND MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED SO FOR BOUT MONTH I HAD NO CLUE HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN CAR, HOW FAST I WAS GOING, OIL ETC TOOK ME OVER A MONTH B4 I FINALLY HAD SAVED THE MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED AND SEEING AS I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR AND SEEING SAME COMPLAINTS I WAS BEYOND PISSED THAT I HAD TO PAY $560 TO FIX GM'S [XXX] PARTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10572987
46,000 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Electrical System
DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND THEN WENT TO GO 45 MPH MY SPEED READING WENT TO 120 MPH. I WASN'T GOING THAT FAST IT STARTED TO JUMP AROUND THEN STAYED AT 120 MPH. I THEN STOPPED AND KEEP TURNING THE KEY ON AND OFF IT WENT DOWN TO 100 AT FIRST THEN SHUT OFF CAR AGAIN THEN WENT DOWN TO 90 SO I KEPT DOING THAT TILL IT WAS AT 0. DROVE ABOUT …
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DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND THEN WENT TO GO 45 MPH MY SPEED READING WENT TO 120 MPH. I WASN'T GOING THAT FAST IT STARTED TO JUMP AROUND THEN STAYED AT 120 MPH. I THEN STOPPED AND KEEP TURNING THE KEY ON AND OFF IT WENT DOWN TO 100 AT FIRST THEN SHUT OFF CAR AGAIN THEN WENT DOWN TO 90 SO I KEPT DOING THAT TILL IT WAS AT 0. DROVE ABOUT 10-15 MILES AND IT STARTED TO JUMP AGAIN. I THEN CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR 2 MONTHS AGO AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME SEVERAL HUNDREDS TO FIX. I READ ALOT OF REVIEWS ON THIS YEAR MONTE CARLO, EVERYONE HAD THE SAME ISSUES AND NO RECALL ON THIS CAR TO GET FIXED. I WILL NOT EVER BUY ANOTHER CHEVY CAR AND I WILL BE GLAD TO TELL FRIENDS AND FAMILY HOW CHEVY TREATS THERE CUSTOMERS. MATTER INFACT I WILL CONTACT MY LOCAL TV STATION TO INFORM OTHER HOW CHEVY TAKES CARE OF THERE CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10559633
46,000 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Electrical System
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY AN INACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,0…
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TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY AN INACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000. DR
NHTSA ODI #10559617
97,000 miles · Oct 30, 2013
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT WAS PURCHASED ON 4/7/2011 AND WILL NOT RETRACT; HOWEVER, IT WILL SPORADICALLY FAIL TO UNLATCH. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES BUT THE ISSUE HAS RECURRED. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT WAS PURCHASED ON 4/7/2011 AND WILL NOT RETRACT; HOWEVER, IT WILL SPORADICALLY FAIL TO UNLATCH. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES BUT THE ISSUE HAS RECURRED. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED THAT THEY WOULD WORK ON THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10550157
38,000 miles · Sep 3, 2013
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INOPERATIVE. SPEEDOMETER SAYS YOU ARE DOING 110 MPH WHEN CAR IS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK. TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER. ALWAYS READS COLD. TACHOMETER BARELY WORKS. ALL GAUGES GIVE A FALSE READING. CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN SO IT WILL NOT BE RECALLED. QUOTED OVER…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INOPERATIVE. SPEEDOMETER SAYS YOU ARE DOING 110 MPH WHEN CAR IS SHUT OFF AND IN PARK. TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER. ALWAYS READS COLD. TACHOMETER BARELY WORKS. ALL GAUGES GIVE A FALSE READING. CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN SO IT WILL NOT BE RECALLED. QUOTED OVER $500 TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. DRIVER MESSAGE CENTER POPS UP RANDOM WARNINGS, LIKE CHECK AIR PRESSURE WHEN AIR PRESSURE IS FINE. NOT SURE HOW THIS DOES NOT CLASSIFY AS A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOU HAVE NO CLUE HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING, IF THE CAR IS GOING TO OVERHEAT, IF THE OIL PRESSURE IS TOO HIGH OR LOW, OR IF THE SUPER CHARGER BOOST IS CORRECT. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED!!!!! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10538575
20,000 miles · Mar 20, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAY AN INACCURATE READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
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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