IllustrationERRATIC SPEEDOMETER OPERATION WHICH WILL INDICATE SPEEDS OF OVER 140MPH AT TIMES,EVEN WHEN STOPPED,OR LOWER MPH THAN IS ACTUALLY BEING TRAVELED. *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
What owners actually said
230 reportsSPEEDOMETER FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO: FAILURE STARTED WITH SPEEDOMETER READING ANYWHERE FROM 10-15MPH LOW, CAUSING EXCESSIVE SPEED WHILE DRIVING. FAILURE PROGRESSED TO EITHER READING ZERO MPH OR A CONSISTENT 20MPH DURING ALL SPEEDS OF DRIVING. FAILURE OCCURRED ON VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON THE V…
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SPEEDOMETER FAILURE ON 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO: FAILURE STARTED WITH SPEEDOMETER READING ANYWHERE FROM 10-15MPH LOW, CAUSING EXCESSIVE SPEED WHILE DRIVING. FAILURE PROGRESSED TO EITHER READING ZERO MPH OR A CONSISTENT 20MPH DURING ALL SPEEDS OF DRIVING. FAILURE OCCURRED ON VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW MY GAUGES MY 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO HAVE NOT WORKED..IT STARTED OFF WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME.. NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE RPMS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK EITHER. TONIGHT MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE DISCOVERED NOW THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ITS…
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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW MY GAUGES MY 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO HAVE NOT WORKED..IT STARTED OFF WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING ALL THE TIME.. NOW IT DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. THE RPMS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK EITHER. TONIGHT MY GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE DISCOVERED NOW THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. ITS WILL COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS FIXED. IF SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM A RECALL OR SOMETHING SHOULD BE ISSUED.. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS ON AND SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM USING STEERING MOUNTED SWITCH THE HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT. THE LIGHTS WOULD ONLY COME BACK ON AFTER REPEATED SWITCHING OF THE HIGH BEAM SWITCH. *TR
SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY, LEAVING ME UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT SPEED. I ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR GOING SLOWER BECAUSE I WAS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEN. IT SOMETIMES NOW DON'T WORK AT ALL. *TR
THIS JUST STARTED RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE. MY SPEEDOMETER WORKS VERY ERRATICALLY. SOMETIMES IT READS 30MPH WHEN IM DOING 70MPH AND SOMETIMES IT SAYS 30MPH WHEN IM NOT EVEN MOVING. IT CAN ALSO BE ANY COMBINATION OF ANY SPEED. IT JUST DOES WHATEVER. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE. USUALLY WHEN IT STARTS TO GO BAD IT EVENTUALLY WILL JUST DR…
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THIS JUST STARTED RIGHT OUT OF THE BLUE. MY SPEEDOMETER WORKS VERY ERRATICALLY. SOMETIMES IT READS 30MPH WHEN IM DOING 70MPH AND SOMETIMES IT SAYS 30MPH WHEN IM NOT EVEN MOVING. IT CAN ALSO BE ANY COMBINATION OF ANY SPEED. IT JUST DOES WHATEVER. SOMETIMES IT WORKS FINE. USUALLY WHEN IT STARTS TO GO BAD IT EVENTUALLY WILL JUST DROP TO BELOW 0MPH AND STAY THERE. NOW THE TACHOMETER IS DOING THE SAME THING. BOTH OCCUR TOTALLY AT RANDOM. THIS COULD EASILY LEAD ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT IF I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST IM GOING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT BECAUSE I REALLY DON'T THINK I COULD AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED AND I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT AUTOMOBILE ELECTRONICS EITHER. THE CAR IS A 2004 CHEVY MONTE CARLO SS WITH 61,000 MILES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS. THE STEERING SHAFT MADE A CLANKING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED IN YEAR 2005 AT 26,000, AND THEN IN YEAR 2007 AT 47,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 08E063000 (INTERMEDIATE STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS. THE STEERING SHAFT MADE A CLANKING NOISE WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED IN YEAR 2005 AT 26,000, AND THEN IN YEAR 2007 AT 47,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL # 08E063000 (INTERMEDIATE STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND SHE WAS ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 12/7/09 *CN UPDATED 12/08/09.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING SHE HEARS A CLINGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES, AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TURNING THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN DRIVING SHE HEARS A CLINGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES, AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 08E063000 AND 09E005000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER FROZE, GAS, OIL, AND RPM PEGGED... *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ON HIS VEHICLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. ALL OF THE GAUGE NEEDLES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE POINTED DOWNWARD AND INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF HIS SPEED INCLUDING HOW FAST OR SLOW HE WAS DRIVING. THE MANUFACT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS ON HIS VEHICLE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. ALL OF THE GAUGE NEEDLES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE POINTED DOWNWARD AND INOPERABLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF HIS SPEED INCLUDING HOW FAST OR SLOW HE WAS DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO HAVE AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO MAILED THE CONTACT A LETTER INFORMING HIM THAT THE WARRANTY IS NOT VALID FOR THE REPAIR AND THAT THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING $450 TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT FILED CLAIM# 71-762-310145 WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,776.
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.