2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 230 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (60% of complaints); the 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 230 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2021
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2020
“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”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 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.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2016
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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 engine's 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 service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DURING THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFTS CAN BE USED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WELD CONNECTING THE INNER TUBE TO THE OUTER TUBE MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Monte Carlo by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?
NHTSA has 230 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The most complained-about area is electrical system (60% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 54,500 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.