IllustrationSECURITY LIGHTS COMES ON AND CAR DIES,IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY,CAR START BUT DIES
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
6 reportsNO COMPLAINT INQUIRY INTO DATA BASE. *JS
HAVE A 2004 MONTE CARLO. SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER CONTINUES TO CLIMB. I WAS FOLLOWING MY HUSBAND WHO WAS DOING 45MPH AND AND I WAS DOING 105 THEN 114 THEN 120 THEN 140 THEN IT DROPPED STRAIGHT DOWN. IT SOMETIMES RESETS IT SELF AND OTHER TIMES IT STAYS LIKE THAT FOR DAYS. THE CAR HAS 42,234 MILES ON IT. *KB
AT APPROXIMATELY 57,000 (OCTOBER 2010) THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ EITHER ZERO MILES PER HOUR OR 120 MILES PER HOUR WHILE DRIVING. IT WOULD MOVE ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING SHOWING ANYWHERE FROM ZERO TO 120 MPH. THEN IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. IN JANUARY 2011 THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY AGAIN AND HAS BEEN DOING SO …
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AT APPROXIMATELY 57,000 (OCTOBER 2010) THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD READ EITHER ZERO MILES PER HOUR OR 120 MILES PER HOUR WHILE DRIVING. IT WOULD MOVE ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING SHOWING ANYWHERE FROM ZERO TO 120 MPH. THEN IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. IN JANUARY 2011 THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY AGAIN AND HAS BEEN DOING SO CONTINUALLY. SOMETIMES IT SEEMS ACCURATE BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. I CONSIDER IT A SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO NOT KNOWING HOW FAST I AM GOING. WHEN ON THE FREEWAY I GAUGE MY SPEED BY OTHER DRIVERS. IF I USE MY GPS I AM CONSTANTLY LOOKING AWAY FROM THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT MY SPEED IS AND IT IS HARDER TO READ ON THE GPS. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET THROUGH EMAIL AND THEY DID NOT REPLY.
SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME. IT WILL FREEZE OR GO TO 0 AT ANY TIME OR AT ANY SPEED. THIS IS A G.M. PROBLEM THAT HAS RESULTED IN RECALLS ON SOME SUV'S BUT NOT ANY CARS. IF YOU WERE TO GOOGLE G.M SPEEDOMETER PROBLEMS YOU WILL GET OVER 200,000 HITS. DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS BUT G.M IS DENYING IT IS A SAFETY PRO…
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SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME. IT WILL FREEZE OR GO TO 0 AT ANY TIME OR AT ANY SPEED. THIS IS A G.M. PROBLEM THAT HAS RESULTED IN RECALLS ON SOME SUV'S BUT NOT ANY CARS. IF YOU WERE TO GOOGLE G.M SPEEDOMETER PROBLEMS YOU WILL GET OVER 200,000 HITS. DEALERS KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS BUT G.M IS DENYING IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE TO ASSUME WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING A CAR AND DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. G.M CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THERE MAY BE A RECALL SOMEDAY IF THEY GET ENOUGH COMPLAINTS...THE CAR IN QUESTION IS A 2004 WITH 9500 MILES. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED. TO RECALL SOME TRUCKS AND SUV'S BUT NOT THE CARS IS STUPID. I WOULD HOPE OUR GOV'T CAN HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM...AFTER ALL G.M WOULD LIKE OUR TAX DOLLARS. THANK YOU *TR
DASH BUCKLING IN MIDDLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED A DASH PANEL TWICE, BUT THE MATING PART IS WHAT IS BUCKLING. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT GM WILL NO LONGER REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DESIGNED TO BUCKLE FROM THE HEAT, AND ONCE IT DID, IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO ORIGINAL SHAPE. VER…
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DASH BUCKLING IN MIDDLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED A DASH PANEL TWICE, BUT THE MATING PART IS WHAT IS BUCKLING. DEALER INFORMED ME THAT GM WILL NO LONGER REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, ALTHOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WAS TOLD IT WAS DESIGNED TO BUCKLE FROM THE HEAT, AND ONCE IT DID, IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO ORIGINAL SHAPE. VERY DISAPPOINTING TO PAY THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR AN AUTOMOBILE TO HAVE IT LOOK LIKE TRAILER TRASH TWO YEARS INTO ITS OWNERSHIP. *JB
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.