RoadVitals

2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
230
Latest Dec 13, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Aug 20, 2004

What this page shows

Our database holds 230 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 230 · page 1 of 10

BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Dec 13, 2025

I took my car into Freeland Chevrolet for the recall my car was running great,when i picked it up it was idling rough and smoking on my way home it was stalling out at every stop causing me to loose control of power steering and braking creating a safty haszard called them the next day and told them about it which they already knew because the manager was outside when i started it up. They said it was thowing 11codes when i brought it in saying that was the problem,which i could not have drove it their in that condition and never would.got in touch with corp office. In the mean time I had it towed back to them on DEC1,,,.Because its undrivable. Then on Dec11 got a call from corporate say i had to pay 253.00 for a Diagnostic also they told them it was throwing 21 codes when i brought it in.whats the Truth? they endangerd many lives by letting me drive that car off the lot.That tells me they have no regard for the safety of the public. my car is still there

NHTSA ID
11704820
Incident
Nov 19, 2025
Engine
Filed Dec 10, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a burning odor blowing through the air vents into the cabin of the vehicle. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the oil gauge increased to high. Additionally, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer regarding NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V201000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part had to be ordered,ed and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 215,000.

NHTSA ID
11443389
Incident
Nov 20, 2021
Mileage
215,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2020

POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE LINE MAY FAIL PREMATURELY OF THE 20,000-24,000 MILE SERVICE REPLACEMENT. HAD TO REPLACE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT'S LEAKING AGAIN FROM THE HOSE.

NHTSA ID
11375722
Incident
Oct 28, 2020
Mileage
113,115 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ENGINE VALVE COVERS WERE FAULTY CAUSING OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ENGINE. THE LOCAL DEALER MILLER AND SONS (3107 GREEN GARDEN RD. ALIQUIPPA PA) AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11308317
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 31, 2019

SECURITY LIGHTS COMES ON AND CAR DIES,IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY,CAR START BUT DIES

NHTSA ID
11173207
Incident
Jan 20, 2019
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 24, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHUDDER AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY EXPLODED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11130977
Incident
Sep 19, 2018
Mileage
49,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 11, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE FAILED TO WORK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (VAN CHEVROLET, 100 NW VIVION RD, KANSAS CITY, MO 64118, (816) 527-8564) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11128795
Incident
Sep 10, 2018
Mileage
88,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE MANIFOLD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MILLER AND SONS CHEVROLET (3107 GREEN GARDEN PLAZA, ALIQUIPPA, PA 15001, (724) 419-4124), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11104037
Incident
Apr 11, 2018
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2018

INTERMENT CLUSTER GAUGES NOT WORKING

NHTSA ID
11085117
Incident
Jan 2, 2018
Mileage
149,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 19, 2017

I TOOK MY CAR INTO JOHN HALL CHEVROLET ON 5/19/2017 TO HAVE THE IGNITION RECALL DONE.PRIOR TO MY TAKING IT THERE I WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR THAT NO SINGLE DIAGNOSTIC COULD QUITE PINPOINT.NEEDLESS TO SAY I REPLACED SEVERAL THINGS YET TO NO PREVAIL.THE CAR WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING LUCKILY BEFORE I REACHED OVER 10 MPH AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE TRYING TO TURN IN TRAFFIC I LOST POWER STEERING.ALL WHILE THE KEY WAS IN THE ON POSITION.FINALLY A MORE UPDATED SENSOR SCANNER DETECTED AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITHIN THE IGNITION ITSELF.WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD ONLY DO WHAT THE RECALL REQUIRED THEM TO DO. EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM WHAT IT WAS DOING AND ASKED IF THEY COULD CHECK TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LEAVING THERE AND THE CAR SHUTTING OFF AND /OR NO POWER STEERING I WAS TOLD NO .I WOULD HAVE PAID TO KNOW,TO HAVE THEM SCAN IT, WHATEVER.NEEDLESS TO SAY AFTER THEY FIXED THEIR PART THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING.EVEN WHEN THE MAN BROUGHT ME MY CAR I ASKED HOW DID SHE START? HE SAID NOT GOOD AND WALKED AWAY. ALSO I LEFT THEM WITH 1 KEY SHOULDN'T THERE HAVE BEEN SOMETHING DONE TO BOTH? MY CAR MAY BE OLD BUT SHE'S BEEN WELL MAINTAINED .GREAT STRONG MOTOR AND ALOT OF NEW PARTS. THE STARTER AND FUEL PUMP WERE PRETTY MUCH WRECKED BY THE LITTLE ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITHIN THE IGNITION. CONFUSED AND OVERHEATED SIMPLY TRYING TO START THE CAR AND HOPE IT STAYS RUNNING.IT'S THAT ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT KEEPS SAYING YES ENOUGH VOLTAGE THEN NOPE CAN'T HAVE IT. IT'S BEEN PROVEN NOT ONLY BY SCANNING BUT BY READING AND TESTING .

NHTSA ID
10990601
Incident
May 19, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 22, 2017

KEY IS STUCK IN IGNITION AND WILL NOT RELEASE NOR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF ENGINE. LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED A YEAR AGO. BELIEVE THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10967840
Incident
Aug 15, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 16, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE OIL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PART NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,652.

NHTSA ID
10966398
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
135,652 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND/OR DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED, OIL LEAKED ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE SENDING UNIT AND AN OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10935909
Incident
Dec 14, 2016
Mileage
125,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2016

OIL LEAK DRIPPING DOWN ON EXHAUST PIPE AND MANIFOLD START IN LAST 5 DAYS . CAR WAS STATION IN GARAGE

NHTSA ID
10915379
Incident
Oct 9, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10894735
Incident
Aug 10, 2016
Engine
Filed Aug 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10892274
Incident
Aug 1, 2016
Engine
Filed Jul 28, 2016

I TOOK MY CAR IN TO TOM HENRY CHEVROLET ON MAY 19, 2016 TO HAVE RECALL NUMBER 14574 PERFORMED. I PREVIOUSLY HAD NO OIL LEAK FROM THIS VALVE COVER, BUT TOOK IT IN ONLY BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. MILEAGE TO TIME OF REPAIR WAS 117748...CURRENT MILEAGE, AT TIME OF PHOTO, IS 119295. THE PHOTO SHOWS THE GASKET PROTRUDING OUT FROM UNDER THE VALVE COVER TO THE LEFT OF THE BOLT, AND OIL ON THE BLOCK AND EXHAUST. SUCH A SIMPLE PROCEDURE, SCREWED UP BY INCOMPETENT DEALERSHIP!!!! NOW, I HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!

NHTSA ID
10889174
Incident
Jul 27, 2016
Mileage
119,295 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 12, 2016
Fire reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. AFTER STRIKING A POTHOLE AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A MINOR THUMB INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,800. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10855034
Incident
Mar 19, 2016
Mileage
169,800 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE KEYS FOR THE IGNITION BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE PASS LOCK PROTECTION SYSTEM WAS UNABLE TO BE OVERRIDDEN SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOLUTION TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10854832
Incident
Nov 20, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING OIL ODOR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10839701
Incident
Feb 29, 2016
Seat belts
Filed Feb 29, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELTS ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO RETRACT AFTER BEING USED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

NHTSA ID
10838881
Incident
Nov 29, 2015
Mileage
63,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

NHTSA ID
10836893
Incident
Feb 12, 2016
Mileage
153,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHEN ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. HOWEVER, ONCE REACHED TO 4,000, IT WOULD INDEPENDENTLY DECREASE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10825081
Incident
Feb 9, 2016
Mileage
70,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER START. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCKSMITH TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE IGNITION WAS UNLOCKED; HOWEVER, IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); 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 HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE PERTAINING TO THE ENGINE RECALL. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10821955
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GARAGE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V201000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10821561
Incident
Nov 30, 2015
Mileage
138,000 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.

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