Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
24
Latest Jul 10, 2017
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
15%
of 158 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3
What this page shows
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 24 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming brake
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
BrakesEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 10, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HUB WITH THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HUBS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,856.
NHTSA ID
11003988
Incident
Mar 3, 2014
Mileage
127,856 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jun 16, 2016
I OWN A PRISTINE 2003 MONTE SS, STORED EVERY WINTER AND MAINTAINED BY MY MECHANIC HUSBAND. I HAVE 2 ISSUES WITH THE CAR. FIRST, I NEVER USE MY BRIGHT LIGHTS BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT IF I DO. SECOND I AM HAVING BRAKE ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE SAME THING WITH A SILVERADO TRUCK BEFORE. ABS WOULD COME ON A SLOW SPEEDS WHEN NOT NEEDED, DRY PAVEMENT OR GRAVEL. REALLY SCARES ME BECAUSE I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY SILVERADO TRUCK FROM THIS SAME PROBLEM. NOW MY ABS LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ARE ALWAYS ON AND NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN A DIE HARD CHEVY OWNER BUT I AM SO UNHAPPY WITH THE BREAK SYSTEMS IN THEM. I HAVE ANOTHER FOREIGN CAR THAT I DRIVE IN THE WINTER AND LOVE THE BRAKES.
NHTSA ID
10874573
Incident
May 6, 2016
Mileage
90,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 13, 2014
Fire reported
MY 2003 MONTE SS HAD BEEN SMOKING AND HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & SHIFTING AND PUT ON TESTERS AND READ CODE AND I NEEDED A AIR FLOW SENSOR SO I HAD THAT PUT ON, WAS RECOMMENDED I GET TUNE UP SO I GOT THAT, AND HAD JUST PUT NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR I WAS LEAVING GAS STATION AND LOST ACCELERATION AGAIN AND THE CAR SMOKED AGAIN. I SOON LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING GAS & BREAKS AND WINDOWS. PEOPLE PASSING BY WERE HONKING AND SAID THE UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND UNDER HOOD HAD FLAMES IN FRONT OF CAR. I HAD TO THROW IT IN PARK AND JUMP OUT BECAUSE THE PEDDLES QUIT WORKING AND THE CAR EXPLODED IN FLAMES AND HAD I NOT HAD MY WINDOW DOWN I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE AND COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. THE ENGINE AND WHOLE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAR BURNED UP WITH 3-5 MINUTES. THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR AND THE ONLY MEANS OF GETTING DISABLED CHILD TO THE APPOINTMENTS HE NEEDED AND TO WORK AND HAS PUT HARDSHIP ON OUR FAMILY. *TR
NHTSA ID
10632913
Incident
Sep 8, 2014
Mileage
160,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 2011
THE ROTORS OF MY 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS NEED TO RESURFACED OR REPLACE EVERY 6000 MILES, OTHERWISE I WILL FEEL THE SHAKING/VIBRATING OF THE BRAKES WHEN I TRY TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AT HIGH SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10383061
Incident
Mar 8, 2004
Mileage
6,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 15, 2010
HAVING THE COMMON TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 MONTE SS. CANT BELIEVE THIS ISN'T PART OF A RECALL AND ONLY A TSB. AT THIS POINT THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN EXACT ANSWER ON WHAT TO HAVE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. JUST SPEND ALOT OF MONEY AND HOPE YOU HAD THE CORRECT REPAIR. TRACTION ACTIVE COMES ON AT SLOW SPEED AND DRY ROADS. USUALLY AFTER BACKING UP AND THEN TURNING SHARPLY. ANTI LOCKS HAVE EVEN ENGAGED WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T. AGAIN AT SLOW SPEEDS AND DRY ROADS. I'M APPALLED BECAUSE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CHEVY TRUCK THAT CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT. I'M VERY FEARFUL OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT. GM HAD AN INVESTIGATOR CHECK MY TRUCK AND THEY TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT BRAKE FAILURE. GOING TO TRY THE WIRING HARNESS FIRST AND GO FROM THERE I GUESS. *TR
NHTSA ID
10330540
Incident
Apr 18, 2010
Mileage
54,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedVisibility
Filed May 11, 2010
2 COMPLAINTS. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION AND MAKING A HARD LEFT THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRAC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. ONLY DOES THIS AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE OVERHEAD DRIVER CONTROL PANEL WILL NOT COME ON AND THEN AFTER DRIVING A WAYS IT WILL COME ON. WHEN OFF THE AIR OR HEAT OR DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED IT ONCE AND NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE LIGHTS FOR THE TRACTION. *TR
NHTSA ID
10330019
Incident
May 11, 2010
Mileage
117,000 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Jun 20, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported
ABS BRAKING IN MY 2003 CHEVY MONTE CARLO I WAS 2 CARS LENGTHS AWAY FROM A FORD BRONKA FOR WHOM I REARENDED, I WAS LOOKING TO TURN IN QT PARKING LOT THEN I LOOKED BACK AND THE CARS AHEAD HAD STOPPED. I HIT THE BREAKS EXPECTING TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THE CONTACT BUT THE BREAKS JUST LOCKED UP AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY THANK GOD FOR SEATBELTS. AS THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR WAS SLIDING FORWARD AND I HAD MY FOOT PUMPING TO SLOW BUT EVERY TIME I TOUCH THE PEDAL IT WOULD JUST LOCK UP. I TRIED THIS TWICE AND THEM I JUST BRACED FOR THE HIT WHEN WE HIT MY FOOT WAS JAMMED BACK ON THE BREAK NOW I HAVE A BROKEN FOOT. *TR
NHTSA ID
10274429
Incident
Jun 20, 2009
Mileage
73,499 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Mar 18, 2009
2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO HAS BRAKE AND FUEL LINES THAT HAVE RUSTED OUT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NORMAL. *NJ
NHTSA ID
10262331
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Nov 24, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. AT 18,758 MILES, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SHAKING SEVERELY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THREE WEEKS AND NO ONE HAS CALLED HER BACK TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS KEPT IN STORAGE DURING THE WINTER BECAUSE IT IS NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,261 UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LET FRONT TIRE HAS FLAT SPOTS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AFTER THE TIRES WERE ROTATED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES. THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB
NHTSA ID
10249713
Incident
Aug 29, 2006
Mileage
18,758 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Feb 16, 2007
Crash reported
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO WITH 46000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 40 MPH ON A SNOWY DAY HE NOTICED A VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE FAST LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10182758
Incident
Dec 31, 2006
Mileage
46,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 15, 2006
BRAKE/ROTOR PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES VIBRATING/GRINDING. I HAVE HAD TWO SETS OF FRONT BRAKES PUT ON THE CAR, ONE AT 32,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 65,000 MILES. AT 32,000 MILES THE CAR HAD WARPED ROTORS THAT THEY SAID WAS CAUSING THE VIBRATING. WITHIN A YEAR, THEY ARE VIBRATING AGAIN. I AM 46 YEARS OLD AND NEVER HAD CAR TO HAVE WARPED ROTORS. THE CAR MAKES A LOT OF NOISE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHER SPEEDS - AROUND 55 - 60. I LOVE THE CAR OTHERWISE, JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE BRAKE PROBLEMS CORRECTED. *NM
NHTSA ID
10157554
Incident
Jan 19, 2006
Mileage
65,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 19, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE THEN PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, WHICH SLOWED THE SPEED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK. THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE THROTTLE SYSTEM, AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF HER ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA ID
10145583
Incident
Dec 16, 2005
Mileage
37,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THIS REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR APPROXIMATELY 30-60 DAYS. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAVE TO BE TURNED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 10,000 MILES. THIS PROCEDURE HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ID
10142970
Incident
Jul 1, 2004
Mileage
26,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 28, 2005
DURING INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE COMING APART. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ROTORS. *JB CONSUMER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AT HER EXPENSE AND WAS REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. MECHANIC SAID THE ROTORS WERE MADE OF PRESSED METAL THAT FLAKED APART WHICH MADE THE BRAKES WEAR OUT. *BF *NM
NHTSA ID
10112922
Incident
Nov 18, 2004
Mileage
30,163 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 26, 2005
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2003 MONTE CARLO IN THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR ROTOR VIBRATION. I HAVE BEEN IN TALKS WITH GMAC AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS DUE TO DRIVER HABITS. THIS IS SO UNFAIR, SEEING AS THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE A CALIPHER ON MY LAST SERVICE CALL SAYING THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE WHOLE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE TO HEAR THE BRAKES "SCRUBBING" AS I STOP, IT SOUNDS LIKE A 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK! THEY SAY THIS IS DUE TO THE BRAKES "WEARING INTO" THE NEW SHAPE OF THE ROTOR. SIGH, SO MUCH FOR BEING EXICITED OVER YOUR $378.00 A MONTH VEHICLE. ALL THAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR IS THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND RIGHT SIDE CALIPHER REPLACED. (THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME BUT THEN THEY "FOUND"THE CALIPHER HAS STUCK).*AK
NHTSA ID
10107939
Incident
Jan 7, 2005
Mileage
12,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 18, 2005
BRAKE ROTORS WERE TURNED TWICE AND THEN FINALLY REPLACED AFTER REPEATED GRABBING/VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING OCCURRED. DEALER FINALLY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE THIRD TIME. THERE WAS NO CHARGE TO ME (WARRANTY COVERED IT). *NM
NHTSA ID
10106591
Incident
Sep 22, 2003
Mileage
11,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 8, 2004
BRAKES WERE CHANGED @ 32,000 MILES STILL WAS HAVING VIBRATION WHEN I PRESSED THE PEDAL TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO CHECK 4 TIMES AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. RECENTLY I HAD TO TAKE BACK FOR OIL CHANGE, ROTATION OF TIRES I TOLD THEM TO CHECK AGAIN AND MY ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED BUT, THEY DID NOT CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS SAID THEY STILL HAD 75% WEAR. THE ROTORS COST ME OVER $100.00. I AM STILL HAVING VIBRATION WHEN I DRIVE AND RUBBING WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL. I HAD MY CAR ALIGNED @ THE DEALER WHEN THE ROTORS WERE TURNED. NOW I AM GOING TO GET THEM TO CHECK MY BRAKES AGAIN. *JB
NHTSA ID
10102375
Incident
Aug 14, 2004
Brakes
Filed Sep 20, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE VIBRATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. HAD THE REPAIRS DONE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ID
10092796
Incident
Sep 13, 2004
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2004
ROTORS REQUIRED TO BE TURNED FOUR TIMES AND READY TO BE TURNESD AGAIN FOR A FIF TH TIME
NHTSA ID
10086689
Incident
Aug 11, 2004
Mileage
6,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2003
Crash reported2 injuries reported
BRAKE PROBLEMS, ROTORS TURNED BEFORE 8,000 MILES DUE TO VIBRATION.BRAKES NOW SSQUEAL AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT HIT ANOTHER CAR AND WHEN I TRYED TO GET IT STOPED THE BRAKES PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A ELECT. *AK POLE.SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA ID
10033239
Incident
Jul 27, 2003
Mileage
11,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 26, 2003
2 PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM - (1) BRAKES SQUEAKED UNTIL AT LEAST 8,000 MILES. (2) FRONT BRAKE ROTORS REQUIRED TURNING AFTER 9,500 MILES. HAD MASSIVE VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL WHICH PROMPTED ROTOR TURNING.*AK
NHTSA ID
10029247
Incident
Jul 24, 2003
Mileage
9,400 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 26, 2003
FAILURE OF ROTORS (FRONT) CONTINUE TO REQUIRE TURNING AFTER NORMAL DRIVING AT 6,500 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ID
10023812
Incident
Jun 27, 2002
Mileage
6,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 18, 2003
WITHIN 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, FRONT BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING ERRATICALLY, CAUSING ABNORMAL DUSTING AND PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKES. PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS. *NLM
NHTSA ID
10023328
Incident
Dec 5, 2002
Mileage
500 mi
Brakes
Filed May 14, 2003
BOUGHT NEW 2003 MONTE CARLO SS. BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT, ABS KICKS IN PREMATURELY, TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. BODY THROTTLE HAS CRACKED. BOUGHT DECEMBER 17, 2002, AS OF DATE BEEN IN SHOP SIX TIMES. *NLM
NHTSA ID
10018682
Incident
Dec 18, 2002
Mileage
74 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own