IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REMEDY THE RECALL WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
2003 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
240–25K
1425–50K
2050–75K
1575–100K
28100–150K
14150K+
115 reports with mileage · 43 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 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports18 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
158 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/29/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE THEFT DIFFEREN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT HAD TO MAKE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/29/14*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE THEFT DIFFERENTIAL FUEL ENABLES CIRCUIT CONDITION. THE ECM HAS NOT RECEIVED THE PROPER SIGNAL FROM THE THEFT DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM. UPDATED 4/24/3015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA C…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
MY 2003 MONTE SS HAD BEEN SMOKING AND HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & SHIFTING AND PUT ON TESTERS AND READ CODE AND I NEEDED A AIR FLOW SENSOR SO I HAD THAT PUT ON, WAS RECOMMENDED I GET TUNE UP SO I GOT THAT, AND HAD JUST PUT NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR I WAS LEAVING GAS STATION AND …
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MY 2003 MONTE SS HAD BEEN SMOKING AND HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & SHIFTING AND PUT ON TESTERS AND READ CODE AND I NEEDED A AIR FLOW SENSOR SO I HAD THAT PUT ON, WAS RECOMMENDED I GET TUNE UP SO I GOT THAT, AND HAD JUST PUT NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR I WAS LEAVING GAS STATION AND LOST ACCELERATION AGAIN AND THE CAR SMOKED AGAIN. I SOON LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING GAS & BREAKS AND WINDOWS. PEOPLE PASSING BY WERE HONKING AND SAID THE UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND UNDER HOOD HAD FLAMES IN FRONT OF CAR. I HAD TO THROW IT IN PARK AND JUMP OUT BECAUSE THE PEDDLES QUIT WORKING AND THE CAR EXPLODED IN FLAMES AND HAD I NOT HAD MY WINDOW DOWN I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE AND COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. THE ENGINE AND WHOLE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAR BURNED UP WITH 3-5 MINUTES. THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR AND THE ONLY MEANS OF GETTING DISABLED CHILD TO THE APPOINTMENTS HE NEEDED AND TO WORK AND HAS PUT HARDSHIP ON OUR FAMILY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN A WOMAN USING HER CELL PHONE CHANGED LANES INTO MY LANE WITHOUT LOOKING. CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO JAM ON MY BRAKES AND SWERVE TO MISS HER. UPON DOING THIS ACTION MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I REAR ENDED HER. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM AS I HAVE ALSO HAD MY IGNITION LOCK UP AND C…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN A WOMAN USING HER CELL PHONE CHANGED LANES INTO MY LANE WITHOUT LOOKING. CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO JAM ON MY BRAKES AND SWERVE TO MISS HER. UPON DOING THIS ACTION MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND I REAR ENDED HER. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM AS I HAVE ALSO HAD MY IGNITION LOCK UP AND COULDN'T GET THE KEY OUT. WHEN MY AIR BAG DEPLOYED IT ALSO QUICK DEFLATED. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAUGHT A LONG TIME AGO AND THIS ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *TR
SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2013 THIS IS AROUND THE 5TH TIME THIS HAPPENS. WHEN YOU TURN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR THE ENGINE JUST WON'T TURN OVER. THEN AFTER A WHILE IT STARTS. ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS HAPPEN LIKE LIGHTS, RADIO BUT THE ENGINE JUST WON'T TURN AND IT'S NOT THE BATTERY. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN T…
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SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2013 THIS IS AROUND THE 5TH TIME THIS HAPPENS. WHEN YOU TURN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR THE ENGINE JUST WON'T TURN OVER. THEN AFTER A WHILE IT STARTS. ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL THINGS HAPPEN LIKE LIGHTS, RADIO BUT THE ENGINE JUST WON'T TURN AND IT'S NOT THE BATTERY. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN THE MORNING AND IN THE AFTERNOON AFTER WORK I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AS IT DID NOT HAPPEN WITH THEM. THEY COULD NOT MIMIC THE PROBLEM SO THEY COULD NOT FIGURE WHAT WAS WRONG. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
MY CAR RANDOMLY FLASHES THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. I'VE MADE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETIMES MY CAR DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL ABOUT 10MIN OF LETTING IT JUST SIT THERE. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM AS I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. …
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MY CAR RANDOMLY FLASHES THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. I'VE MADE SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETIMES MY CAR DOES NOT TURN ON UNTIL ABOUT 10MIN OF LETTING IT JUST SIT THERE. PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM AS I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
THE IGNITION CAUSES THE CAR HEATER AND AIR LIGHTS ON DASH TO GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TR
ONCE MY CAR PEAKED AT 100,000 MILES THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES THE CAR START AND SOMETIMES IT WONT. ONCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN IT CUT OFF ON ME. WHILE DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR WOULD START FLASHING UNCONTROLLABLY. THEIR IS LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHOLE PANEL. NOW…
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ONCE MY CAR PEAKED AT 100,000 MILES THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND NEVER SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES THE CAR START AND SOMETIMES IT WONT. ONCE I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN IT CUT OFF ON ME. WHILE DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE CAR WOULD START FLASHING UNCONTROLLABLY. THEIR IS LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHOLE PANEL. NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY UNABLE TO START. I HAVE BEEN READING TONS AND TONS OF FORUMS ABOUT SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WHY HASN'T GM RECALLED THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Official recalls
615V701000 · 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.
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.
09V116000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Apr 8, 2009
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
03V250000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
Jul 15, 2003
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
03V051000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Feb 14, 2003
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
02V222000 · Air Bags:frontal
Aug 9, 2002
CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.
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.