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.
2004 Chevrolet Monte CarloProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 230 owner complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 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 December 13, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo has problems
230 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
151Electrical system8 crash/fire/injury
23Engine6 crash/fire/injury
16Steering
12Exterior lighting
8Service brakes, hydraulic
7Engine and engine cooling
6Vehicle speed control
5Suspension
5Seats
3515 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 151 | 8 |
| Engine | 23 | 6 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 12 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 1 |
| Seats | 5 | 3 |
| 15 other systems | 35 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2004 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 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
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
Service brakes, hydraulic
Risk. 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…
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?
55kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 136 electrical system complaints. 82% were reported before 100,000 miles.
14under 30k miles111under 100k miles25100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
15 owners mentioned a cost$500median
Middle half: $475 – $600
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2004 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
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo safety ratings
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Monte Carlo owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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, [PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…
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…
Own a 2004 Monte Carlo?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.