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2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 158 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most often about the engine (35% of complaints, typically around 114,500 miles). It is 5th of 10 Monte Carlo model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Engine
55 complaints · 35%Half of these problems showed up before 114,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
I purchased a 2003 chevy Monte Carlo in april 2011 from a used car dealer pmm auto sales whom I trusted and dealt with for years, with less than 115,000 miles and within less then 30 days there was signs of minor problems. When I attempted to have the vehicle checked by the car dealership. I was pushed to the side…
The contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the front end of the vehicle caught fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire report and a police report were not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not…
Electrical
49 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument cluster/panel.
The security light started flashing along with the head lights and dome light. Now the light stays on,the doors wont lock or unlock, the trunk button don't work, and it only starts when it wants to. I have not done anything to fix it yet, but I heard gm has not either and I think this is crazy considering all of the…
2003 chevy Monte Carlo. "security" displayed in message center. While driving at night my headlights flash on and off, my doors will not lock or unlock and trunk will not open using inside buttons or wireless remote. I have contacted several other people with same problem who have spent hundreds at chevy garages to…
Brakes
24 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
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…
During inspection, the consumer was informed that the front and rear rotors were coming apart. The dealership replaced the rotors. 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…
Transmission
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline.
Just purchased 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo ls 2d today, vehicle has 1st gear engagement (slips), when pulling off from stationary position vehicle will lose power then jerk/clunk forward like being hit from behind only occurs when pulling off from stand still position or making turns, also noticed dash board panel is…
While driving the car to work, heard a clunk-grind sound on a right turn. Drove to work anyway on the freeway - about 15 minutes. When pulling into my parking spot, turning right, the clunk-grind sound appeared again and then just made a grinding sound. After having the car towed to a chevy dealer, was told it was a…
Air bags
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Dt: 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The consumer's vehicle was involved in an accident while traveling 55 MPH three weeks ago. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. There was a deer in the road, vehicle swerved and hit an embankment. The vehicle was totaled. There was a deer in the road vehicle swerved and hit an…
I was driving home from work when a woman using her cell phone changed lanes into my lane without looking. Causing me to have to jam on my brakes and swerve to miss her. Upon doing this action my vehicle shut off and I rear ended her. I believe there is a defect in the ignition system as I have also had my ignition…
Lights
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: headlights, tail lights.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving 40 MPH with the headlights activated on auto, the interior and exterior lights failed to remain illuminated. The failure has been occurring since 2004. The vehicle was taken to the service center six times while still under warranty. The vehicle is no longer…
Turn signals work intermittently. Occasional clicking of turn signal relay heard despite no turn signals being illuminated. Hazard lights fail to work.
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 3%I have a 2003 montecarlo ss with a 3.8 engine. Recently within the last couple of months my security light has come on. Have been told it is the pass lock. In order to shut it off I stop the car shut off lock and unlock doors and the light goes out. I have also been told this could either shut the car off or not…
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, rearview mirrors/devices, sun/moon roof assembly, glass, side/rear.
Heater/AC blower motor operation is intermittent. May be covered under tsb #030603 NHTSA id 10001884. Was informed by 2 chevy dealers that this is not a problem with this vehicle. Got your service #'s from an auto question and answer article in my local paper. The writer has the same vehicle as the mine. And reports…
The sun roof in my 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo cracked and then little cracks spread out throughout the entire sunroof. This happened while I was driving.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo recalls
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, or 15v-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on february 19, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and pontiac customer s
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 chevrolet lumina and oldsmobile intrigue, 1997-2004 buick regal and pontiac grand prix, 2000-2004 chevrolet impala, and 1998-2004 chevrolet monte carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Electrical: 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.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on september 9, 2014. Gm's number for this recall is 14350.
Full defect summary
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on july 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 chevrolet impala and monte carlo, 1997-2003 chevrolet malibu, 2004-2005 malibu classic, 1999-2004 oldsmobile alero, 1998-2002 oldsmobile intrigue, 1999-2005 pontiac grand am and 2004-2008 pontiac grand prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Engine: 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 and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: This could result in reduced capability of the air bag to protect the driver. Also if the air bag inflator ruptured, pieces of the inflator could strike and injure the vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, install a new driver's air bag. Owner notification began on march 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
On certain mini vans, passenger and sport utility vehicles, some of these vehicles have a driver's side air bag that may not deploy as designed. In addition, the air bag inflator could rupture.
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 the driver.
Fix: Dealers will inspect, and replace, if necessary, the air bag module assembly on the driver's side. Owner notification began august 15, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact buick at 1-800-521-7300, cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger, mini vans, and sport utility vehicles have an air bag inflator on the driver's side that could fracture at a weld during a deployment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (55 complaints, typically around 114,500 miles); electrical (49 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles); brakes (24 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 26, 2015 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
- It is 5th of 10 Monte Carlo model years by number of complaints, with 158 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.