repaired · 2017 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
2003 Chevrolet Monte CarloProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 158 owner complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-400 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has problems
158 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
49Electrical system9 crash/fire/injury
32Engine9 crash/fire/injury
25Engine and engine cooling7 crash/fire/injury
22Service brakes, hydraulic3 crash/fire/injury
11Power train
11Air bags
7Exterior lighting
5Visibility
4Vehicle speed control
2913 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 49 | 9 |
| Engine | 32 | 9 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 25 | 7 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 22 | 3 |
| Power train | 11 | 2 |
| Air bags | 11 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 1 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 |
| 13 other systems | 29 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. 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.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL…
no report yet
Other: owners/service/other manual
Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
99kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 36 electrical system complaints. 53% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles19under 100k miles17100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other Monte Carlo year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Monte Carlo median. How we score
'70'73'74'75'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'90'91'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'10
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What Monte Carlo owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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
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…
Own a 2003 Monte Carlo?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.