2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1982 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 4 |
| 1986 | 6 |
| 1987 | 5 |
| 1988 | 3 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1995 | 170 |
| 1996 | 155 |
| 1997 | 164 |
| 1998 | 100 |
| 1999 | 125 |
| 2000 | 233 |
| 2001 | 276 |
| 2002 | 230 |
| 2003 | 158 |
| 2004 | 230 |
| 2005 | 120 |
| 2006 | 113 |
| 2007 | 42 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
31% of complaints: electrical system — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and rear compartment/trunk.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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
Also filed under ENGINE and TIRES
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
Also filed under AIR BAGS
1. UNABLE TO ACTIVATE HORN DUE TO POOR PLACEMENT ON AIRBAG ASSEMBLY. RESULT: ACCIDENT DUE TO INABILITY TO HONK HORN TO ALERT OTHER DRIVER, 2ND INCIDENT NO ACCIDENT, NEAR MISS. 2.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040923
20% of complaints: engine — 32 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
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
16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.
FIRE INJURY15% of complaints: service brakes — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.
CRASH FIRE INJURY8% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveline.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 2000-2005 IMPALA AND MONTE CARLO MODELS. TRANSMISSION MAKES GOING IN MOTION FROM A STOP DELAYED. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SERVICED ON/REPLACED TWICE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140409
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Campaign 09V116000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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 engineÂs 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 (49 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 (25 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
WORST YEARS
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 31% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.