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2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 230 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, most often about the electrical (66% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is 4th of 10 Monte Carlo model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Electrical
151 complaints · 66%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, starter assembly, ignition.
I have a 2004 Monte Carlo ss, at about 55,000 miles the speedometer starting acting unreliable. Sometimes I registers 30 MPH when I am at 70, other times it will stick at 71 MPH when I am at zero. It occurs randomly with different behaviors, is unreliable. I called the local gm dealer and they mention it is a problem…
Speedometer needle is not showing correct speed. It will show 10 MPH when vehicle is maintaining identical speed of other vehicles on a freeway . It will show 120 MPH when vehicle is stopped. The needle will point directly downward at any given time.
Engine
29 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. When the contact placed oil into the vehicle, oil leaked onto the manifold. The change oil and low engine oil indicators illuminated. The failure recurred four or five times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine oil was…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. A few minutes after the vehicle was parked in the driveway, it burst into flames. The fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. The front end of the vehicle was completely burned. The contact stated that there were no warning indicators. A police report and a fire…
Steering
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles. Parts named most often: gear box, column.
I own a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. I starting having steering problems. The steering felt loose and like metal grinding together. The bumping could be felt over in the passenger seat as well so it raised some concerns. After doing some online research I found it was the intermediate steering shaft. I am sure the…
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Intermittently while turning the steering column when driving she hears a clinging noise. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two separate occasions for the identical failures, and the steering shaft was replaced. The repairs did not remedy the failure. The…
Brakes
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 16,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock, disc.
Brake pedal went to floor, car would not stop. No warning lights came on. Noise from front right brakes when going forward or in reverse. Pedal to floor happened in good dry weather on both occasions. Abs was not active at time of incident. Took car to dealer and was repaired at no cost to me,car is under warranty and…
Brake pedal felt mushy, pedal went to floor when applied. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that the problem was normal.
Lights
12 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 78,500 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights.
While driving at night with headlights on and switching from high beam to low beam using steering mounted switch the head lights would go out. The lights would only come back on after repeated switching of the high beam switch.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated the headlights began to turn on and off intermittently. The contact had to turn on the high beams in order for the headlights to remain on consistently. The dealer stated the computer in the vehicle needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was…
Speed control
6 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
: the contact stated while driving the speedometer works intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The dealership determined the speedometer needed to be replaced and parts were ordered.
I have had the car since 3/05 brand new off the show room floor, currently have about 38k miles on the vehicle -since I have owned the vehicle more than 20 times while driving all of the lights will come on the dashboard and the seatbelt light will chime --then the battery light will remain on for approx 15 to 20…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 3%Dash buckling in middle. Dealer has replaced a dash panel twice, but the mating part is what is buckling. Dealer informed me that gm will no longer repair this problem, although it appears to be a manufacturing defect. I was told it was designed to buckle from the heat, and once it did, it would not return to original…
Speedometer doesn't work most of the time. It will freeze or go to 0 at any time or at any speed. This is a g.m. Problem that has resulted in recalls on some SUV's but not any cars. If you were to google g.m speedometer problems you will get over 200,000 hits. Dealers know the problem exists but g.m is denying it is a…
Suspension
5 complaints · 2%Thought this was the car for me. Wrong. After purchasing the car the following things have gone wrong and most seem dangerous. No way to control headlights .. Driving at night at 55 MPH, lights all shut off the indicator lights also stop working at random times ignition does not accept key every time resulting in…
I was driving on the freeway and my steering was tighter at 75 MPH. My ABS light came on which has flashed on before about 6 times but quickly went off. I thought those time my car was just having a computer fluke. But this time the ABS light was lit with my steering tight. Traction control light came on and said it…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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.
Engine
Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on april 24, 2015. Owners may contact buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 14574.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) notified the agency on april 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 buick regal vehicles manufactured april 9, 2003, to june 1, 2003, 2004 chevrolet impala vehicles manufactured april 8, 2003, to june 23, 2003, and 2004 chevrolet monte carlo vehicles manufactured april 7, 2003, to june 23, 2003. On may 18, 2015, gm expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 pontiac grand prix vehicles manufactured january 6, 2003, to june 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
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.
Brakes: 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 the direction of the locked wheel, reduced braking and noise from the affected wheel, or severing of a brake hose, increased brake pedal travel, and reduced steering control. Reduced braking or steering control could cause a crash.
Fix: Dealers are to tighten both bolts to the specified torque. Owner notification began on june 28, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet 1-800-630-2438 or pontiac 1-800-620-7668.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles were produced with lower than specified torque on both front brake caliper to steering knuckle attachment bolts. With improper torque, the clamp load at the joint may not be adequate to prevent movement between the caliper bracket and knuckle.
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 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (151 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); engine (29 complaints, typically around 105,500 miles); steering (16 complaints, typically around 45,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
- 4 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 2004 a bad year for the Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
- It is 4th of 10 Monte Carlo model years by number of complaints, with 230 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.