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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,864 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #43

Oct 302021

Monte Carlo

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- N Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #42

Apr 072019

Monte Carlo

  • 74,185 miles
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

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #41

Jul 152018

Monte Carlo

  • 170,000 miles
Problems with the suspension, ignition switch, turn signals not working, security system not resetting. Had to replace the ECM.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #40

May 012018

Monte Carlo

  • 194,095 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Columbia City, IN, USA

problem #39

Feb 052018

Monte Carlo

  • 174,034 miles
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.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

problem #38

May 022017

Monte Carlo

  • 68,000 miles
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 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.

- New Milford, CT, USA

problem #37

Jan 252016

Monte Carlo

  • 160,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Brazoria, TX, USA

problem #36

Aug 012016

Monte Carlo

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the key was extremely difficult to turn to start the vehicle. The vehicle became unable to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #35

Sep 302016

Monte Carlo

  • miles
The car dont want to start up but in 5 mins it will start up but now when I try to start the car it keep cranking even when I im not turning the key.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #34

Aug 102015

Monte Carlo

  • 180,000 miles
I have a 2003 montecarlo ss with a 3.8 engine. Recently within the last couple of months my security light has come on. Have been told it is the pass lock. In order to shut it off I stop the car shut off lock and unlock doors and the light goes out. I have also been told this could either shut the car off or not start. Big problem. It could come on while driving or stationary.

- Halifax, MA, USA

problem #33

Oct 302015

Monte Carlo

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving at various speeds, the engine failed and the security warning light illuminated. The vehicle restarted after numerous attempts. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vcm and the ignition lock cylinder failed and needed to be replaced. The failure occurred intermittently. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #32

Oct 012015

Monte Carlo 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 143,068 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving at various speeds, the key was removed from the ignition switch and the vehicle continued running. Also, the contact mentioned that the key became stuck in the ignition switch when attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 143,068. Updated 02/05/16 updated 02/25/16.

- Wakeman, OH, USA

problem #31

Jun 012015

Monte Carlo

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While parked, the vehicle failed to start and the key remained in the off position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Akron , OH, USA

problem #30

Jan 122015

Monte Carlo

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system); however, the remedy failed to work and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the ignition switch had to be replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer refused to cover the repairs since the key fob was listed as the remedy on the notification. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #29

Jul 152014

Monte Carlo 6-cyl

  • 95,443 miles
While operating my vehicle at various speeds my vehicle appeared to lose power at the dash. Certain dash instrumentation and the ac blower motor would just stop operating, for no apparent reason. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where their first diagnosis was a bad ac blower motor that was causing the issues as mentioned. The dealer charged $365 for a new ac blower motor to be installed. After the new ac blower motor was installed and within the first 5 miles after leaving the dealership, the brand new ac blower motor stopped working. Vehicle was taken back to the dealership, where they now determined that it was a faulty ignition switch that needed to be replaced and that it was not the blower motor as previously diagnosed. I asked about the recent recall on ignition switches and I was informed that only the ignition key is covered under the recall and not the ignition switch. A new ignition switch was installed and now everything appears to be ok. I contacted the dealership in an attempt to get my money back for the cost of installing an ac blower motor that didn't need to get replaced. The dealer refuses to reimburse me the $365 for what I had paid for the ac blower motor. They claim that the ignition switch is not covered under any recall. I am claiming that the ignition key switch was damaged and ultimately failed as a direct result of the current recall key issues for my model and year vehicle. I should be reimbursed the $365 that I paid for an ac blower motor that I really didn't need. The recall should not just cover the ignition key, it should also include the ignition switch if it proves to be defective and/or has been compromised in any way by the ignition key itself.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #28

Jan 212015

Monte Carlo 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
The heater fan kept turning on and off and I had to have a new ignition switch put in. At times the fan would quit working while going down the road.other times the fan would not turn on. The cruise light would blink when the heater fan was turned on and the cruise would quit while driving down the road.. I saw on the news last night where there was a recall. I've not recivedany info.

- Rudolph, OH, USA

problem #27

Dec 102014

Monte Carlo

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the speedometer needle seized. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pass lock system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #26

Apr 172014

Monte Carlo 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
I was driving home from work and was involved in a car accident, where I rear ended another vehicle. I was shaken and unaware of what happened as it happen extremly fast. As I hit the vehicle in front of me I had no control of my vehicle. My air bags deployed but it was seconds after the impact which I though was very odd. When I treid to move my vehicle off to the side of the road I noticed the ignition switch wouldn't turn. After playing with it for several minutes I was able to move the vehicle. I just thought is was because of the accident. Since then my ignition switch has locked up 2 different times, making me connect all the dots back to my accident. I belive this ignition switch caused my accident.

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

problem #25

Jun 192013

Monte Carlo

  • 171,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact received a recall notice for the air bags and took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The failure recurred after the repair. The contact received another recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V350000 (electrical system) and stated that the ABS indicator remained illuminated ever since the first failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The NHTSA campaign number for the first failure was unknown. The failure mileage was 171,000.

- Del Ray Beach , FL, USA

problem #24

Jan 272010

Monte Carlo

  • 114,267 miles
TL- the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet monti carlo. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V40000 (electrical) remedy itself is not sufficient to proven the failure from occurring. The dealer and manufacturer was made aware of this matter. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated while parked in a parking lot, the vehicle to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated the ignition switch cylinder failed. The dealer had to drill out the old ignition switch cylinder, replace it and install 2 new keys. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure did not occur again. The failure mileage was approximately 114,267.

- Cochranville, PA, USA

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