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2003 Chevrolet Monte carlo

The Verdict

63 Solid Pick

The 2003 Chevrolet Monte carlo has 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (57 complaints) and electrical (53 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 63/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Monte carlo, consider the 2007 model year which has 73% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2007 has 73% fewer complaints

View the 2007 Chevrolet Monte carlo dashboard →

63

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

We email you when NHTSA issues a new recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Monte carlo. No spam, no marketing.

Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20007313548912
200150259510311
2002363585816
20031621535710
20043612148313
20054791153
2006403321325
20078019312

By Category

Engine
57
Electrical
53
Brakes
21
Body
16
Transmission
10

By Severity

1
63
2
65
3
1
4
28

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 2

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. It will soon be a Classic and the engine cover is part of the original equiptment that needs to be on it. There is NO logical reason the valve cover gasket cannot be replaced AND keep the engine cover in place. Thank you for your help.

31mo ago
Engine 1

Vehicle stalls when starting. While driving vehicle may shut off when moving on highway if you are not pushing on gas pedal. May be due to faulty EGR or emissions component

57mo ago
Engine 4

I had an engine fire. Complete loss of car.

60mo ago
Body 2

OWNED SINCE 2007, NO RECALLS ACTIVE, OLDER RECALL REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT, HAVE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN! ALSO ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/SPEED SENSORS ISSUE: HUMMING,GRINDING,TRAC OFF LIGHTS,ABS LIGHTS. COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE CARS YET NO FIX BY G.M ??

80mo ago
Engine 2

TAKATA RECALL. WELL I NOTICED IT DROPPING OIL ONTO THE ENGINE & INTAKE 12/5/2018 AND NOW IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S BEEN GETTING WORSE CUZ IT'S GETS SO HOT IT STARTS SMOKING FROM THE OIL ON THE ENGINE INTAKE I'M STILL DRIVING THE CAR

83mo ago
Electrical 1

MY CAR IS A 2003 MONTE CARLO, IF I TRY TO USE THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS THEY MAKE A BUZZING SOUND AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT, NO SIGNAL WORKS, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WORK , I REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH BUT THAT DIDNT SOLVE IT . BATTER IS FINE AND THE ALTERNATOR I HAD THEM CHECKED THERE IS NO RELAY FOR THE DIRECTIONALS ITS ALL IN ONE . SOMETHING IS STRANGE GOING ON I ALSO NOTICED SOMETIMES WHEN YOUR DRIVING THE THOSE THREE LIGHTS WILL START COMING ON AS WELL . I HAD PUT UP THE WINDOWS AND THEY ALL WENT ON TOO , SOMETIMES JUST WHEN DRIVING IT OR EVEN STOPPED HAD THIS CAR SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW NEVER HAD A PROBLEM TILL A FEW WEEKS AGO

87mo ago
Electrical 1

PROBLEMS WITH THE SUSPENSION, IGNITION SWITCH, TURN SIGNALS NOT WORKING, SECURITY SYSTEM NOT RESETTING. HAD TO REPLACE THE ECM.

89mo ago
Electrical 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE KEY FAILED TO STAY IN THE IGNITION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CITY CHEVROLET (3040 E BUSINESS 30, COLUMBIA CITY, IN 46725, (260) 691-4899) WHERE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,095.

93mo ago
Body 2

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE

94mo ago
Body 1

THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS MAKING A NOISE AND IT IS WOBBLING ALL OVER. I REPLACED THE STRUTS AND IT DID NOT HELP IT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SOMETHING IS JUST NOT SAFE UP THERE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION.I THINK THEY USED AS CHEAP OF PARTS AS THEY COULD GET.IT FEELS AS IF THERE ARE ZERO SHOCKS ON THE CAR.

94mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

97mo ago
Engine 4

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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT, AFTER REPLACING THE RADIATOR, THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO WORK. FURTHERMORE, THE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND ROTATED, BUT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL LEAK WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,034.

98mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER (WHITE ALLEN CHEVROLET, 442 N. MAIN ST, DAYTON, OH 45405) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER AKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION, BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,968.

104mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HUB WITH THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HUBS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,856.

109mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND IDLED, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED INDICATING THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER FOR A MOMENT FOR THE ENGINE TO COOL. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

110mo ago
Electrical 2

WHEN I GET IN THE CAR AT TIMES AND POUT KEY IN IGNITION, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DEAD. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE NEGATIVE ON THE BATTERY FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES TO GET IT TO WORK AGAIN. I ALSO EXPERIENCE FLASHING DOME LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT ON, IGNITION BELL RINGING WITH NOTHING IN IT, ALSO INDICATORS ON DASH PANEL, SECURITY, BATTERY, DOOR OPEN, LOW FUEL, CHANGE OIL SOON, AND THEY WILL NOT STOP SHOWING UNTIL I DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AGAIN AND SET SYSTEM. I PUT A COMPETE NEW IGNITION IN IT, BOTH THE KEY PART AND THE IGNITION BLOCK AND I STILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD BY CHEVROLET DEALER THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO BYPASS THE SECURITY IN THIS CAR BECAUSE THERE IS A CHIP IN THE STARTER THAT PREVENTS THIS. WHEN I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND PRESS THE LOCK ON THE KEY FOB REMOTE, THE HORN BLOWS AS AN INDICATOR THAT THE CAR IS LOCKED, BUT I CAN WALK OVER AND OPEN THE DOORS EVERY TIME. THE LOCK SYSTEM FOR THE DOORS IS NOT WORKING ELECTRICALLY EITHER. I AM AT ODDS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE BEFORE I SPEND MONEY TO FIX IT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT FIRST. ALL THE DEALERS WANT AT LEAST $119.00 JUST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. AND, I FEEL THAT IF THEY WANT MY SERVICE THEY COULD GIVE ME A BREAK AND THEN FIX MY PROBLEM. THAT WOULD BRING E BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN. IF YOU CAN, PLEASE HELP ME HERE. THE CHEVY DEALER SAID GM DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE EACH AND EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND NOT RUNNING INITIALLY. INGERSOL CHEVROLET SAYS THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE IGNITION SYSTEM FOR MY 2003 MONTE CARLO SS 3800, 3.8 VEHICLE.

111mo ago
Electrical 4

A.C. CLICKS ON AND OFF, LIGHTS BLINK WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES DON'T WANT TO START UNLESS IT DISCONNECT BATTERY. LIGHTS ON DASH CLUSTER DON'T WORLAND SECURITY LIGHT ON

111mo ago
Engine 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL SHOULD BE REPAIRED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *JS

114mo ago
Engine 1

RECALL #15757. THE REMEDY IN PART SAYS "THE ENGINE'S PLASTIC 'BEAUTY' COVER AND PLASTIC OIL FILL TUBE EXTENSION WILL BE REMOVED, IF THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ALREADY, ALSO FREE OF CHARGE." IF THEY DO NOT REPLACE THIS PART IT DETRACTS FROM THE APPEARANCE, AND ALSO DEVALUES THE CAR! THE REPAIRS SHOULD BE REQUIRED NOT TO AFFECT THE VALUE OF THE CAR!! THANKS

116mo ago
Engine 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES UNTIL IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED PER A RECALL. WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THE DEALER'S REPAIR THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK PROGRESSING ASSOCIATED WITH THE VALVE COVER ON THE UPPER PART OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER MORE THAN ONCE BUT THE DEALER REFUSED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ *TR

116mo ago

157 total

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