Chevrolet / Monte Carlo / 2004
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Owners have filed 275 complaints about the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 54.9% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of engine at 8.4%.
Complaints275
Crashes10
Fires16
Injuries15
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 54.9% · 151
Engine 8.4% · 23
Steering 5.8% · 16
Exterior lighting 4.4% · 12
Service brakes, hydraulic 2.9% · 8
Engine and engine cooling 2.5% · 7
Equipment 2.2% · 6
Unknown or other 2.2% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 10 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire and 15 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 12 model years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo in this data, 2004 sits 4th by complaint volume. 2001 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 11 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 56,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the instrument panel warning indicators illuminated sporadically. In addition, the heater and rear defroster failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Electrical system · reported at 120,000 miles
To the best of my knowledge, any time the wipers, lights, rear-defrost, or when its just cold out, the instrument cluster stops functioning. Notably the speedometer will go up with speed, but not go back down. This also applies to the oil pressure, temperature, fuel and rpm gauges. This defect makes it so I have no idea what speed I am traveling and can be a risk to hazardous road conditions. Electrical system · reported at 35,000 miles
2004 Monte Carlo first lost temp guage and heat/blower then lost at times speedometer and tach then lost both then lost gas guage all buttons on steering wheel and dash-radio, cruise control have melted and burned off I am now losing my headlights and in response to this I slam on my brakes. No accident yet no fire yet please we are entitled to our recall too thank you Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…