2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

● Typical for this model
2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:31:57.213Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Monte Carlo Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 2 complaints 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 3 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 155 complaints 1997: 164 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 125 complaints 1999 2000: 233 complaints 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2003: 158 complaints 2003 2004: 230 complaints 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2007: 42 complaints 2007 2008: 2 complaints 2010: 2 complaints 2010
2003: 158 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19822
19831
19843
19854
19866
19875
19883
19890
19900
19911
1995169
1996155
1997164
1998100
1999125
2000233
2001276
2002230
2003158
2004230
2005120
2006113
200742
20082
20102

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 28%

28% of complaints: electrical system — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE, OIL WAS SEEN LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180626

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140820

FOIA ADDRESSED TO CPSC REQUEST INFORMATION RE ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION THE 2000-2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS, CLIENT DARLENE BETTS REC'D AN ARCHING ELECTRICAL SHOCK FM HER 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS, ES DATABASE SEARCH PROVIDED RECORDS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040720

ENGINE 20%

20% of complaints: engine — 32 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. AFTER THE VEHICLE RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE, OIL WAS SEEN LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180626

I keep rewriting this because for some reason it keeps timing out everytime I look for the video to attach. I brought the car to taska twice for underhood fire and ignition.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260413

The service manager told me the Engine cover will be removed and NOT replaced. This downgrades the vehicle as the engine cover is part of the appearance element and gives a certain amount of protection to some components and wiring harnesses.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231210

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BRAKE PROBLEMS, ROTORS TURNED BEFORE 8,000 MILES DUE TO VIBRATION.BRAKES NOW SSQUEAL AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT HIT ANOTHER CAR AND WHEN I TRYED TO GET IT STOPED THE BRAKES PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A ELECT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030821

AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140820

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20020815 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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 O

Campaign 02V222000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030311 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V051000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030820 — equipment

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 DO

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V250000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070427 — fuel system, other

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 UNI

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.

Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20081016 — steering

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 (SOL

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.

Campaign 08E063000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090223 — steering

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 REPLACEM

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 D

Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090409 — engine and engine cooling

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 EQUIPP

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE

Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140908 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160219 — engine and engine cooling

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.

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.

Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (44 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V222000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V051000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V250000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08E063000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V116000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2007 ▲ 1998 ● 2006

WORST YEARS

◆ 2001 ◆ 2000 ◆ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?

9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.