Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 207 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V701000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
1,003,556
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-26
Owners notified
2016-02-19

Defect description

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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Safety risk

Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Manufacturer 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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V400000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
5,877,718
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-03
Owners notified
2014-09-08

Defect description

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. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Safety risk

If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V116000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,497,516
Reported to NHTSA
2009-04-08
Owners notified
2009-04-09

Defect description

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 EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Safety risk

IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE’S FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINE’S PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, AND PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR HTTP://WWW.PONTIAC.COM OR HTTP:WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V250000

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

Component
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,707,825
Reported to NHTSA
2003-07-15
Owners notified
2003-08-20

Defect description

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 DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer 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 CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V051000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
130
Reported to NHTSA
2003-02-14
Owners notified
2003-03-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Manufacturer 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 DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V222000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
133,221
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-09
Owners notified
2002-08-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Manufacturer 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 ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system45110,000 mi
Engine33120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1465,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1111,000 mi
Air bags873,499 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine695,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic618,758 mi
Power train: automatic transmission534,000 mi
Unknown or other5132,000 mi
Exterior lighting440,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline365,000 mi
Power train3160,000 mi
Steering3120,000 mi
Traction control system3117,000 mi
Vehicle speed control382,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module29,500 mi
Electrical system: horn22,400 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)274,185 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch257,000 mi
Service brakes290,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip274 mi
Suspension2170,000 mi
Tires218,758 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system245,000 mi
Wheels2—
Air bags: frontal146,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel165,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery163,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk16,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1127,000 mi
Equipment1250 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1110,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights13,300 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel/propulsion system1—
Interior lighting140,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)136,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines136,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter136,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal141,500 mi
Power train: driveline1103,000 mi
Seat belts1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1127,856 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads137,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Structure15,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1—
Suspension: multiple axle123,600 mi
Suspension: multiple axle: torque arm123,600 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1174,034 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window193,398 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear193,398 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices19,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly144,300 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.