Illustration2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO GAUGE CLUSTER IS ERRATIC AND DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY I DID RECEIVE A RECALL FOR MY 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT AM NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT VEHICLE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON ALL 2004 MODELS AS THEY ARE ALL MADE AT THE SAME MANUFACTURER. *TR
2004 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
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
Electrical System complaints
151 reportsMY OIL PRESSURE GAGE WENT OUT THEN MY TACHOMETER WENT OUT AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT. *TR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. *TR
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR
APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, I STARTED NOTICING THAT MY TACHOMETER ON MY 2004 MONTE CARLO SS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND I HAVE SINCE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT. WELL NOW THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED YESTERDAY WITH A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM. IT WILL ONLY REGISTER THE HIGHEST SPEED I GE…
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APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, I STARTED NOTICING THAT MY TACHOMETER ON MY 2004 MONTE CARLO SS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY ALL THE TIME. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND I HAVE SINCE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT. WELL NOW THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED YESTERDAY WITH A VERY SIMILAR PROBLEM. IT WILL ONLY REGISTER THE HIGHEST SPEED I GET TO...AND STAY IN THAT POSITION UNTIL THE CAR IS ALMOST AT A DEAD STOP. IF YOU REDUCE YOUR SPEED, YOU CAN NOT TELL HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON LINE REGARDING THIS, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT CHEVY AND GM TRUCKS FROM 03- AND 04 ARE COVERED BY A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED IT WAS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE MONTE CARLOS...HOWEVER INTERNET SEARCH CAN PRODUCE CARS OF ALL TYPES IN THAT DATE RANGE THAT ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME FAILURE. THIS IS A 2004 MONTE CARLO SS THAT JUST HAS 36600 MILES. AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN APPARENT SINCE LAST SUMMER (JUST A MONTH AFTER IT WENT OUT OF THE "DATE" WARRANTY)... *TR
THE GAS GAUGE ALONG WITH OTHER AREAS IN MY DASH SEEM TO HAVE A SHORT BECAUSE IT WORKS ON AND OFF. *TR
I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO THAT HAS RECENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC, FROM OBSERVING A BLOG I NOTICED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE. I AM LOOKING FOR SOME HELP WITH THIS REPAIR AS I UNDERSTAND THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAN BE RATHER EXPENSIVE AND SINCE THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE…
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I HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO THAT HAS RECENTLY HAD ISSUES WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC, FROM OBSERVING A BLOG I NOTICED THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE. I AM LOOKING FOR SOME HELP WITH THIS REPAIR AS I UNDERSTAND THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CAN BE RATHER EXPENSIVE AND SINCE THIS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A UNIQUE PROBLEM CAUSED BY ME. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS REPAIR NEEDS TO BE MADE BY A DEALER, THERE ARE 2 LOCAL DEALERS WHICH I HAVE PURCHASED FROM AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO BRING THIS PROBLEM TO THEM, BUT I WOULD HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THE COST OF A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL NOT SO MUCH WITH THE COST OF LABOR. I WOULD LIKE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE QUICKLY BEFORE I START GETTING ANY SPEEDING TICKETS I ALSO BELIEVE THIS CONSTITUTES A SAFETY RISK SINCE I CAN NOT ACCURATELY DETERMINE MY SPEED. *TR
PURCHASED '04 MONTE CARLO SS AUGUST 2007 (23,713 MILES). THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BEGAN GETTING STUCK, GOING COMPLETELY AROUND AND SIMPLY DO NOT WORK. BEGAN AT APPROX 38-39,000 MILES. PAID OVER 1,600 FOR EXT WARRANTY AND ADD'L 300 FOR 'FIXING' THE PROBLEM. STILL BROKEN AND CHEVY DOESN'T RECALL! ALSO HEATED SEATS ARE GETTI…
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PURCHASED '04 MONTE CARLO SS AUGUST 2007 (23,713 MILES). THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES BEGAN GETTING STUCK, GOING COMPLETELY AROUND AND SIMPLY DO NOT WORK. BEGAN AT APPROX 38-39,000 MILES. PAID OVER 1,600 FOR EXT WARRANTY AND ADD'L 300 FOR 'FIXING' THE PROBLEM. STILL BROKEN AND CHEVY DOESN'T RECALL! ALSO HEATED SEATS ARE GETTING SCALDING HOT. *TR
I PURCHASE A 2004 MONTE CARLO LS IN OCT. OF 2007. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKED OK UNTIL 3 MONTHS AFTER I HAD THE CAR. NOW THE TACH IS NEVER WHERE ITS SUPPOSED TO BE. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUMP PAST THE RED ZONE ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SOME OTHER FRIENDS THAT HAVE A 2004 IMPALA THAT IS SHOWING THE SAME ISSUES, WITH THE TACH AND SPEEDOME…
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I PURCHASE A 2004 MONTE CARLO LS IN OCT. OF 2007. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKED OK UNTIL 3 MONTHS AFTER I HAD THE CAR. NOW THE TACH IS NEVER WHERE ITS SUPPOSED TO BE. SOMETIMES IT WILL JUMP PAST THE RED ZONE ON ITS OWN. I HAVE SOME OTHER FRIENDS THAT HAVE A 2004 IMPALA THAT IS SHOWING THE SAME ISSUES, WITH THE TACH AND SPEEDOMETER. THIS SEEMS LIKE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE READ MANY FORUMS ONLINE DESCRIBING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES ARE NOT READING CORRECTLY. IT STARTED WITH THE GAS GAUGE AND HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO ALL GAUGES IN ERROR. HAVE TALKED TO OTHERS AND LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE. I CONSIDER THIS A HAZARD SINCE SPEED AND ENGINE CONDITION CANNOT BE DETERMINED. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT …
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES ARE NOT READING CORRECTLY. IT STARTED WITH THE GAS GAUGE AND HAS NOW PROGRESSED TO ALL GAUGES IN ERROR. HAVE TALKED TO OTHERS AND LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE. I CONSIDER THIS A HAZARD SINCE SPEED AND ENGINE CONDITION CANNOT BE DETERMINED. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER YET. *TR
Official recalls
415V701000 · 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.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.