2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner Complaints

I keep rewriting this because for some reason it keeps timing out everytime I look for the video to attach. I brought the car to taska twice for underhood fire and ignition. No head gasket got fixed no spark plugs there is several issues water keeps getting in tires are rotted electrical problems and now head gasket is messed up because the hood wasn't put on till afterwards for the recall the ignition is still not fixed. Last time I drove it back it stalled out and smelled over heated

NHTSA ID

11730812

Incident

Apr 13, 2026

The service manager told me the Engine cover will be removed and NOT replaced. This downgrades the vehicle as the engine cover is part of the appearance element and gives a certain amount of protection to some components and wiring harnesses. It will soon be a Classic and the engine cover is part of the original equiptment that needs to be on it. There is NO logical reason the valve cover gasket cannot be replaced AND keep the engine cover in place. Thank you for your help.

NHTSA ID

11559383

Incident

Jan 13, 2023

Vehicle stalls when starting. While driving vehicle may shut off when moving on highway if you are not pushing on gas pedal. May be due to faulty EGR or emissions component

NHTSA ID

11438831

Incident

Oct 30, 2021

I had an engine fire. Complete loss of car.

NHTSA ID

11427302

Incident

May 15, 2021

OWNED SINCE 2007, NO RECALLS ACTIVE, OLDER RECALL REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, HAVE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN! ALSO ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/SPEED SENSORS ISSUE: HUMMING,GRINDING,TRAC OFF LIGHTS,ABS LIGHTS. COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE CARS YET NO FIX BY G.M ??

NHTSA ID

11288566

Incident

Dec 7, 2019

Mileage

124,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. WELL I NOTICED IT DROPPING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE & INTAKE 12/5/2018 AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S BEEN GETTING WORSE CUZ IT'S GETS SO HOT IT STARTS SMOKING FROM THE OIL ON THE ENGINE INTAKE I'M STILL DRIVING THE CAR

NHTSA ID

11252646

Incident

Dec 5, 2018

MY CAR IS A 2003 MONTE CARLO, IF I TRY TO USE THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS THEY MAKE A BUZZING SOUND AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT, NO SIGNAL WORKS, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORK , I REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH BUT THAT DIDNT SOLVE IT . BATTER IS FINE AND THE ALTERNATOR I HAD THEM CHECKED THERE IS NO RELAY FOR THE DIRECTIONALS ITS ALL IN ONE . SOMETHING IS STRANGE GOING ON I ALSO NOTICED SOMETIMES WHEN YOUR DRIVING THE THOSE THREE LIGHTS WILL START COMING ON AS WELL . I HAD PUT UP THE WINDOWS AND THEY ALL WENT ON TOO , SOMETIMES JUST WHEN DRIVING IT OR EVEN STOPPED HAD THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW NEVER HAD A PROBLEM TILL A FEW WEEKS AGO

NHTSA ID

11205354

Incident

Apr 7, 2019

Mileage

74,185 mi

PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION, IGNITION SWITCH, TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING, SECURITY SYSTEM NOT RESETTING. HAD TO REPLACE THE ECM.

NHTSA ID

11182637

Incident

Jul 15, 2018

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE KEY FAILED TO STAY IN THE IGNITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CITY CHEVROLET (3040 E BUSINESS 30, COLUMBIA CITY, IN 46725, (260) 691-4899) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,095.

NHTSA ID

11152039

Incident

May 1, 2018

Mileage

194,095 mi

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE

NHTSA ID

11141390

Incident

Oct 24, 2016

Mileage

132,000 mi

THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS MAKING A NOISE AND IT IS WOBBLING ALL OVER. I REPLACED THE STRUTS AND IT DID NOT HELP IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SOMETHING IS JUST NOT SAFE UP THERE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.I THINK THEY USED AS CHEAP OF PARTS AS THEY COULD GET.IT FEELS AS IF THERE ARE ZERO SHOCKS ON THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11133432

Incident

Oct 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID

11112192

Incident

Jun 1, 2016

Mileage

143,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE, OIL WAS SEEN LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, AFTER REPLACING THE RADIATOR, THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO WORK. FURTHERMORE, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND ROTATED, BUT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL LEAK WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,034.

NHTSA ID

11103994

Incident

Feb 5, 2018

Mileage

174,034 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER (WHITE ALLEN CHEVROLET, 442 N. MAIN ST, DAYTON, OH 45405) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER AKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION, BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,968.

NHTSA ID

11054504

Incident

Jun 7, 2017

Mileage

94,968 mi

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND IDLED, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER FOR A MOMENT FOR THE ENGINE TO COOL. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

10995146

Incident

Jun 14, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHEN I GET IN THE CAR AT TIMES AND POUT KEY IN IGNITION, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEAD. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE ON THE BATTERY FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. I ALSO EXPERIENCE FLASHING DOME LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT ON, IGNITION BELL RINGING WITH NOTHING IN IT, ALSO INDICATORS ON DASH PANEL, SECURITY, BATTERY, DOOR OPEN, LOW FUEL, CHANGE OIL SOON, AND THEY WILL NOT STOP SHOWING UNTIL I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AGAIN AND SET SYSTEM. I PUT A COMPETE NEW IGNITION IN IT, BOTH THE KEY PART AND THE IGNITION BLOCK AND I STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET DEALER THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO BYPASS THE SECURITY IN THIS CAR BECAUSE THERE IS A CHIP IN THE STARTER THAT PREVENTS THIS. WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND PRESS THE LOCK ON THE KEY FOB REMOTE, THE HORN BLOWS AS AN INDICATOR THAT THE CAR IS LOCKED, BUT I CAN WALK OVER AND OPEN THE DOORS EVERY TIME. THE LOCK SYSTEM FOR THE DOORS IS NOT WORKING ELECTRICALLY EITHER. I AM AT ODDS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE BEFORE I SPEND MONEY TO FIX IT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT FIRST. ALL THE DEALERS WANT AT LEAST $119.00 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AND, I FEEL THAT IF THEY WANT MY SERVICE THEY COULD GIVE ME A BREAK AND THEN FIX MY PROBLEM. THAT WOULD BRING E BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN. IF YOU CAN, PLEASE HELP ME HERE. THE CHEVY DEALER SAID GM DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE EACH AND EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND NOT RUNNING INITIALLY. INGERSOL CHEVROLET SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM FOR MY 2003 MONTE CARLO SS 3800, 3.8 VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

10992157

Incident

May 2, 2017

Mileage

68,000 mi

A.C. CLICKS ON AND OFF, LIGHTS BLINK WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES DON'T WANT TO START UNLESS IT DISCONNECT BATTERY. LIGHTS ON DASH CLUSTER DON'T WORLAND SECURITY LIGHT ON

NHTSA ID

10985590

Incident

Jan 25, 2016

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *JS

NHTSA ID

10957272

Incident

Oct 31, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

RECALL #15757. THE REMEDY IN PART SAYS "THE ENGINE'S PLASTIC 'BEAUTY' COVER AND PLASTIC OIL FILL TUBE EXTENSION WILL BE REMOVED, IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY, ALSO FREE OF CHARGE." IF THEY DO NOT REPLACE THIS PART IT DETRACTS FROM THE APPEARANCE, AND ALSO DEVALUES THE CAR! THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE REQUIRED NOT TO AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE CAR!! THANKS

NHTSA ID

10939095

Incident

Dec 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES UNTIL IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED PER A RECALL. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE DEALER'S REPAIR THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK PROGRESSING ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE COVER ON THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID

10938777

Incident

Mar 7, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10933986

Incident

Aug 1, 2016

2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REMOVAL OF ENGINE PLASTIC "BEAUTY" COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION RECALL NOTICE. *SMD

NHTSA ID

10914753

Incident

Oct 3, 2016

THE CAR DONT WANT TO START UP BUT IN 5 MINS IT WILL START UP BUT NOW WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR IT KEEP CRANKING EVEN WHEN I IM NOT TURNING THE KEY.

NHTSA ID

10910885

Incident

Sep 30, 2016

I TOOK MY 2003 CHEVY MONTE CARLO INTO CIRCLE CHEVROLET IN SHREWSBURY, N.J. BECAUSE MY CAR'S AIR BAG SYMBOL HAD CAME ON ON MY DASH BOARD. IT HAD INITIALLY CAME ON SATURDAY JULY 2 IN THE LATE AFTERNOON. I IMMEDIATELY CAME HOME AND DID NOT DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL JULY 6, 2016 FOR SERVICE.... BECAUSE THE CARS OWNER MANUAL SAYS ON PAGE 3-30 " IF THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER YOU START THE VEHICLE OR COMES ON WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING, YOUR AIR BAG SYSTEM MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY. HAVE YOUR CAR SERVICED RIGHT AWAY. " SERVICE TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 1 1/2 HOURS TO LOOK AT IT. I WAS THERE 4 HOURS INSTEAD ! THEN THEY CHARGED ME $ 123.05. TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT CHECK THE CAR UNLESS THE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY NEVER TOLD ME TILL THE END. BUT THEY MANAGED TO GIVE ME A LAUNDRY LIST OF OTHER THINGS, THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE AIR BAG ! I HAD TOLD THEM I AM DISABLED. MY NECK IS FUSED AND THE LAST THING I NEED IS FOR THE AIR BAG TO INFLATE OR NOT INFLATE AT ALL. EVIDENTLY, THIS COMPANY HAS NO HEART AND TOOK MY MONEY. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE AIR BAG, TO CAUSE THE LIGHT TO BE INTERMITTENT !!!!!!! IN CLOSING .... I ONLY WANTED THEM TO CHECK THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. ONLY FOR THEM TO TELL ME, THE LIGHT HAS TO BE ON FOR THEM TO CHECK THE CAR ?????!!!!! THEY NEVER TOLD ME THAT UNTIL THEY TOOK MY MONEY ! I HAVE NEVER SEEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT SINCE I TOOK OWNERSHIP OF THE CAR IN 2003.

NHTSA ID

10884659

Incident

Jul 6, 2016

Mileage

87,844 mi