MYRModel Year Report

2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

◆ Worse than typical
2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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
230
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Electrical system

66% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1988: 3 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 155 complaints 1996 1997: 164 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 1999: 125 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2003: 158 complaints 2004: 230 complaints 2004 230 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2007: 42 complaints 2008: 2 complaints 2008 2010: 2 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 3 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 155 complaints 1996 1997: 164 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 1998 1999: 125 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2002 2003: 158 complaints 2004: 230 complaints 2004 230 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2006 2007: 42 complaints 2008: 2 complaints 2008 2010: 2 complaints
1981: 2 complaints 1981 1982: 2 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 6 complaints 1987: 5 complaints 1987 1988: 3 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1995: 170 complaints 1996: 155 complaints 1996 1997: 164 complaints 1998: 100 complaints 1998 1999: 125 complaints 2000: 233 complaints 2000 2001: 276 complaints 2002: 230 complaints 2002 2003: 158 complaints 2004: 230 complaints 2004 230 2005: 120 complaints 2006: 113 complaints 2006 2007: 42 complaints 2008: 2 complaints 2008 2010: 2 complaints

2004: 230 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19812
19822
19831
19843
19854
19866
19875
19883
19890
19900
19911
1995170
1996155
1997164
1998100
1999125
2000233
2001276
2002230
2003158
2004230
2005120
2006113
200742
20082
20102

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

66% · 151 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-24

Also filed under Engine

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 ..

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-05-20

Also filed under Exterior lighting and suspension

Engine

10% · 23 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-12-10

I took my car into Freeland Chevrolet for the recall my car was running great,when i picked it up it was idling rough and smoking on my way home it was stalling out at every stop causing me to loose control of power steering and braking creating a...

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-12-13

Also filed under Steering and service brakes

Steering

7% · 16 reports

Most commonly citing shaft sector and column.

CRASHINJURY

Service brakes

6% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Exterior lighting

5% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing brake lights.

FIRE

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 230 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2004-06-28Service brakes, hydraulic04V287000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2008-10-16Steering08E063000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2014-09-08Electrical system14V400000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2015-04-24Engine and engine cooling15V201000 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,...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 151 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 16 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V287000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08E063000 · Steering
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
  • Recall 14V400000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 15V201000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 66% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.