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.
Have a 2004 Monte Carlo. Sporadically when driving the speedometer continues to climb. I was following my husband who was doing 45mph and and I was doing 105 then 114 then 120 then 140 then it dropped straight down. It sometimes resets it self and other times it stays like that for days. The car has 42,234 miles on it.
The contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving approximately 45 mph the contact noticed the gauge on the instrument panel cluster was not functioning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated the instrument cluster panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
At approximately 57,000 (October 2010) the speedometer would read either zero miles per hour or 120 miles per hour while driving. It would move erratically while driving showing anywhere from zero to 120 mph. Then it started working again. In January 2011 the speedometer started acting erratically again and has been doing so continually. Sometimes it seems accurate but I don't know for sure. I consider it a safety problem due to not knowing how fast I am going. When on the freeway I gauge my speed by other drivers. If I use my gps I am constantly looking away from the road to see what my speed is and it is harder to read on the gps. I contacted Chevrolet through email and they did not reply.
I have been experiencing problems with the gauges in my instrument panel not functioning correctly and getting stuck and not resetting themselves when the vehicle is turned off. Currently 4 out of the 6 gauges within the cluster have failed. Upon researching this issue there has been a realization of how common this problem is. There has been a recall on GM models for this issue involving the same parts, but nothing for the Monte Carlo. I have contacted GM about this issue on 11/11/10 and have not yet received a response.
- Downers Grove, IL, USA
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As I was driving my 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo ss, last night, I operated the steering column mounted headlight dimmer control. The headlights went out. After wiggling the lever they came back on but I was unable to switch them from high beam to low beam. I've searched the internet and find numerous instances of this occurring. Thankfully there was not an accident related to my incident.
While driving at night on a major interstate I was suddenly being passed and was nearly rear ended because although my speedometer showed I was doing 65 mph, I was actually going much slower. I realized there was a defect when I exited and while coming to a stop at the red light, my speedometer stayed on 60 mph. Since then my tachometer and my gas gauge quit working. The needles point straight down on all three. I called three different dealerships all of which have quoted about $400 to repair the cluster assembly. Given that this is a known defective part and has been recalled in a couple of other Chevy models, Chevy needs to recall the Monte Carlo and fix this for all mc owners. I bought the car new and the defect first occurred at about 85,000 miles. Today I have just under 90,000 miles but rarely drive the vehicle due to the defect. I am also worried about passing state inspection due to this defect that Chevy should be held accountable for.
I to have a 2004 Monte Carlo that the instrument panel gauges have all gone out. It started at 40,000 miles now speedometer, tachometer are no longer functional. This is very dangerous., I contacted General Motors they said they haven't gotten any complaints on this issue (this is the same issue they had with the trucks but they covered them. These are the same electronics) they informed me to take it to a dealer where it will cost me about $700 to fix. The internet is loaded with customers with this same complaint so I find it hard to believe GM has not heard of it. I guess someone has to die before it will become noticed.
Gauge cluster is inoperative or inaccurate that may lead to an accident, fines, expensive repair cost due to inaccurate gauge readings, or fatality. Has been addressed on particular vehicles(www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/monte_carlo/2004/electrical/gauge_cluster_needles_spazz_out.shtml) but not the Monte Carlo line. 2004 Monte Carlo instrument panel defects comments: Writing in concern for all. There is an obvious defect with the original equipment installed on the 2004 Monte Carlo's among others I'm sure. GM will do nothing about it. The gauges will not read correctly which will eventually result in fines, injuries, expensive repair cost due to faulty gauge readings, and possible fatalities. For a small example of complaints go to www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2004/Chevrolet/monte+carlo/digital+instrument+panel would like you're support in urging GM to recall and correct this problem before somebody becomes a statistic, or is fined for altering the speedometer trying to fix this themselves. Thank you in advance for your support.
Every gauge on my instrument panel of a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo are inoperable. This has been ongoing for years, with each gauge failing. Dealers, of course, are completely aware that the problem is rampant in Monte carlos over a 5-6 year production period and are charging approximately $600 or more to repair. After reading many posts on internet sites and talking to owners and dealers, this is a problem that should result in a recall. Don't have $600 or more to repair so I have resorted to using a gift card and purchasing a gps for $50 so I can at least see my speed as I'm driving.
2004 Monte Carlo spedometer and instrument cluster works erradicle during normal driving conditions and could result in a faster than posted driving expierence. If not trained and tested at high speed manuvers driver and passenger safety is reduced, dramatically !
My 2004 Monte Carlo ss is having severe safety issues due to faulty instrument cluster. Speedometer reads 110mph even when shut off. Coolant temp gauge doesn't work. So going down the highway I have no clue how fast I am going or if the motor is going to blow up due to overheating. Turns out GM recalled several 2004-2006 vehicles for the same issue. 2005 Monte Carlo has the same issue. I have spoke to GM about issue and they said they will not recall the cars or cover any of the repairs. This website here has 47 complaints so far for the same issue. Why will they not recall the car and fix this issue" will it take someone getting killed for them to actually do something about this well known problem" GM is aware of the problem with the Monte Carlo's. they just choose to not fix it and soak the customer for $500 plus to fix the issue.
To the best of my knowledge, any time the wipers, lights, rear-defrost, or when its just cold out, the instrument cluster stops functioning. Notably the speedometer will go up with speed, but not go back down. This also applies to the oil pressure, temperature, fuel and RPM gauges. This defect makes it so I have no idea what speed I am traveling and can be a risk to hazardous road conditions.
The instrument panel goes crazy the speedometer pegs out and you might be going 20mph or it might show you are going 40 and the tac will be on 2000rpm going down the hwy and the heat gauge will go all the way over and the all the other gauges will do that also or they will do nothing.
Follow up to ODI id#10298010 it would seem that death or injury must result from an equipment failure to warrant action. I was lucky to escape either when, while driving I 80 the speedometer failed for the first time. The speed control was set at 65mph, but when I realized the speedometer was indicating +100mph, I reduced speed rapidly and was very nearly run over by the semi tractor/trailer behind me. GM is aware that components in these instrument panels are defective. Please, demand a recall of these vehicles before someone dies.
2 years ago when I had 12000 miles on my Monte Carlo ss intimidator my dash gauges started reading wrong information now at 14607 miles the gauges don't work at all except for the oil pressure gauge. I have tried to contact Chevy help center 4 times in the past two months and they have not replied to my E-mails for information concerning this wide spread factory installed faulty component. Any information ODI can give me to resolve this problem will be greatly appreciated. Thank you
Tachometer is the only gauge left working now on my 2004 Monte Carlo ss dale earnhardt jr. Edition. Oil pressure, boost gauge, water temp and fuel gauge all show incorrect readings at various times for the past several months now. Yesterday the speedometer refused to show any speed at all. I am now forced to use the car's overhead console computer to show me how much fuel I've used and my garmin gps to tell me what my speed is. This is an unsafe condition to operate a car in. The car has 71,000 miles on it. The original warranty has expired. Chevy says the entire instrument cluster needs to be replaced but the cost is prohibitive. The cluster on the dale jr. Edition is different from the standard cluster (car # and signature) so it is unlikely that my car will remain original with a replacement cluster. GM needs to replace or fix the gauges only. A simple solution that won't cost a lot of money. There is no need to do an expensive, destructive replacement of the entire cluster.
I own a 2004 Monte Carlo ss, whether driving on hwy or city roads I loose all electrical power, ie lights, gauges, radio for about 2 seconds, enough to get your attention and then all comes back on, no interruption in the running of the car, I'm afraid that it may get worse and the car will shut down, I have had this looked at by a dealer service dept and they can not find the trouble and there are no codes stored in the computer, I have 61000 miles on and we like the car, something needs to be done.this has happened at least twice a month for the last six months plus.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Andover, OH, USA