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 reports
120,000 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10440977
70,000 miles · Oct 21, 2011
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING INDICATING A SPEED OF OVER 120 MILES@HOUR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES PER THROUGH A HIGHLY CONTROLLED AREA. YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ON LINE COMMENTS MADE BY OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH NO RESPONSE FROM GM TO THEIR INQUIRIES AND GOUGING BY DEALERS. GM AND …
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SPEEDOMETER ABRUPTLY QUIT WORKING INDICATING A SPEED OF OVER 120 MILES@HOUR WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MILES PER THROUGH A HIGHLY CONTROLLED AREA. YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ON LINE COMMENTS MADE BY OTHER OWNERS ABOUT THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WITH NO RESPONSE FROM GM TO THEIR INQUIRIES AND GOUGING BY DEALERS. GM AND DEALERS DECLINE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE, WHEN YOU ARE DISREPUTABLE IT WILL CATCH UP, NO WONDER THE AMERICAN AUTO MANUFACTURERS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10432405
46,500 miles · Oct 15, 2011
Steering
CLUNKING NOISE IN FRONT END FELT THROUGH STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10430302
150,000 miles · Oct 6, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGAGED THE LOW BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGAGED THE LOW BEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DIMMER SWITCH. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10428907
42,234 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
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
NHTSA ODI #10410584
100,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON CONSISTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN ON THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER FOR THE HEADLIGHTS TO REMAIN ON CONSISTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THE COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410046
Mileage unknown · May 24, 2011
Steering
CONCERNS WITH LOUD CLUNK NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE TURNING MANEUVER / STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402499
50,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMAT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10398119
7,900 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING AND POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING AND POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED A DEFECTIVE STEERING SHAFT THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,906.
NHTSA ODI #10394319
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year