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2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Equipment complaints

5 reports
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90,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
EquipmentFuel System, Other

WE HAVE HAD HARDSHIP DUE TO JOB LOST AND MAJOR CAR MAINTENANCE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED BEFORE WE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE DOING A RECALL ON MARCH 12,2007 FUEL SYSTEM. WE PURCHASE FEB 2008 AND FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE STARTED IN 2010 AND COST A LOT OF MONEY!! WHEN U PULL UP THE VIN NUMBER YOU WILL SEE T…

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WE HAVE HAD HARDSHIP DUE TO JOB LOST AND MAJOR CAR MAINTENANCE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED BEFORE WE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE DOING A RECALL ON MARCH 12,2007 FUEL SYSTEM. WE PURCHASE FEB 2008 AND FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE STARTED IN 2010 AND COST A LOT OF MONEY!! WHEN U PULL UP THE VIN NUMBER YOU WILL SEE THIS HAD NOT BEEN DONE AND IT WAS IN CARMAX POSSESSION AND COST ME AND MY SON BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT HANDLE!!! I AM SO ANGRY ABOUT WHAT CARMAX IS DOING TO MY CREDIT AND MY SON DUE TO ALOT MONEY PAID OUT ON RECALL WORK IN WHICH WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE RECALLS WE PURCHASE THIS CAR IN FEB 2008 I CAN SHOW RECEIPTS AND GET THE MAN NAME [XXX] A LICENSE MECHANIC TO COME FORWARD THIS IS HORRIFIC TO KNOW CARMAX CONTRIBUTE TO OUR STRUGGLES MAINTAINING AND PAYING OUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO WORK THAT WAS UNDER RECALLS AND TOOK AWAY FROM HAVING THE MONEY TO PAY THE CAR NOTE IN THE PROCESS!!!! FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE HAPPEN WHERE THE RADIATOR AND NUMEROUS OF HOSES AND SENSORS WERE DESTROYED AND THE FUEL INJECTION PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACE AT MY EXPENSE I AM ANGRY AS A CONSUMER THAT US STRUGGLE COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLE FREE THROUGH RECALL AND WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED AND THAT PROBLEM EXIST FUEL SYSTEM WAS NOT REPLACE DOING RECALL ON MARCH 12,2007, WE WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR IN OCT 16,2008 STEERING RECALL, NOR WAS WE NOTIFIED IN FEB 11,2009 FOR STEERING RECALLS THIS IS SAD THAT CARMAX CONTRIBUTED TO OUR STRUGGLES THEY NEVER CONTACT US NOR DID CHEVROLET CONTACT US ABOUT ANY RECALLS!!!! PURCHASE VEHICLE FEB 02,2008 PAID 32 PAYMENTS AND FOR AUGUST 17, 2009 DEFERMENT, APRIL 28,2009 DEFERMENT WITH 32 PAYMENTS PLUS 2 DEFERMENTS COMES TO 34 PAYMENTS. CARMAX TOOK THE PAYMENT I MADE AND APPLIED THEM TO MY TO THE DEFERMENTS MAKING MY ACCOUNT BE BEHIND WITH THE CONTRACT BALANCE AND FINANCE CHARGES COMES THEY WERE APPLIED CAME TO $8,980.24 TOTALING, AND LATE FEES COMING TO $659.33, BUT MY FULL AMOUNT FROM MONEY ORDERS AND CHECKS PAID CAME TO $11,593.97 TOTAL AND ITS 1,954. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392481

112,000 miles · Mar 23, 2010
Equipment

SPEEDOMETER READS INCORRECTLY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW FAST VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. WHEN DISCOVERED, CAR WAS DOING 94 IN A 70- GPS VERIFIED

NHTSA ODI #10321675

38,000 miles · Dec 4, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentVehicle Speed Control

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

NHTSA ODI #10250723

9,000 miles · Jan 28, 2008
Electrical SystemEquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER CLEANED THE ROTORS AND BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HESITATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DECELERATING FROM 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER CLEANED THE ROTORS AND BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HESITATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE DEALER SHOULD DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,498 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THEY DID NOT HIT THE GUARD RAIL, THERE WERE LIMITED BRAKES THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER FURTHER STATED THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT AND THE REMEDY FOR THE DEALER IS TO MACHINE THE ROTORS, HOWEVER THE DEFECT PERSISTS AND PEDAL PULSATES. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER VEHICLE STARTS THE STARTER STAYS ENGAGED AND A/C IS INOPERABLE. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216308

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2006
Equipment

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2004 MONTE CARLO GM SECURITY SYSTEM. *TS THE SECURITY SYSTEM INSTALLED IN THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT IF ANY OF THE COMPONENTS FAIL THE ENTIRE SYSTEM MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10174316

Official recalls

4

15V701000 · 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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 engine’s 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.