Problems · by component

2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo electrical system problems

59 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo cite electrical system, 24% of all 243 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
59
24% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
6
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL RESET WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE GUAGES WILL SWEEP AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL DING AS IF IT WAS JUST STARTED HOWEVER THE CAR NEVER STALLS AND THE RADIO STAYS ON ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2021Electrical systemODI 11407830
“PASSLOCK SYSTEM; CAR WILL RANDOMLY (TEMPERATURE BASED?) REFUSE TO START DUE TO POORLY CONSTRUCTED PASSLOCK SENSOR. I KEEP MY DASH APART SO I CAN POKE AT THE CONTACTS (CORRODED? CHEAP TIN PLATING) TO HOTWIRE MY CAR WHEN IT LOCKS OUT. TOOK 20 MINUTES TO GO SEE IF MY WIFE WAS OK AT THE ER, THANKS CHEVY!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2017Electrical systemODI 11001289
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SHORTS IN THE VEHICLE, WHICH PREVENTED THE WINDOWS FROM GOING UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED NO SOLUTION AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 25, 2017Electrical systemODI 10980421
“HAD ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL IN 2015 IN WHICH GAS GAUGE AND OTHER GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER WERE "BOUNCING". AUTO REPAIR DETERMINED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT TO THE TUNE OF $600. THIS YEAR, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN CAR SUDDENLY LOOSES ALL POWER AND TURNS OFF. BROUGHT BACK TO SAME REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED BATTERY CABLES WERE LOOSE AND TIGHTENED THEM FREE OF CHARGE. NOW 4-5 MONTHS LATER AND SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING WHICH HAPPENED 4 TIMES TODAY. TWICE WHILE MAKING A HARD TURN. TERMINALS ARE COMPLETELY TIGHT. EARLIER THIS YEAR COULD NOT TURN IGNITION KEY AND TAPPED IT WITH A HAMMER TO GET IT TO TURN. I HAVE BEEN READING QUITE A BIT ABOUT AN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL, BUT NO MENTION OF IT BY THE DEALER FOR TWO RECALL FIXES THIS YEAR REGARDING THE IGNITION KEY AND FOB, AND SOME COVER ON THE ENGINE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 23, 2016Electrical systemODI 10937285
“ISSUES WITH THE BCM AND PASSLOCK SYSTEM. THE CAR WHILE ON AND DRIVING WILL DISPLAY SECURITY ALONGSIDE THE BATT GAUGE QUITS WORKING. IF SHUT OFF CAR WILL NOT START, AND LIGHT STAY ON. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATT FOR SOME TIME. WITH THE THE AUTO LIGHTS SOMETIMES COME ON DURING MID DAY WITH THE SUN SHINING. THIS IS BECOMING A HASSLE. I'D RATHER PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR THAN GO THREW DEALERSHIP HOOPS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2016Electrical systemODI 10895843
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LAMP LENSES HAD BEEN OXIDIZED AND THAT THERE WAS A FILM BUILD UP WHICH AFFECTED THE VISIBILITY OF THE LOW BEAMS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION CAUSING THE LIGHTING TO BE DIM. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY LESS ENTRY FUNCTION FAILED INTERMITTENTLY AND THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE THE OWNERS MANUAL TO OVERRIDE THE SYSTEM BY EITHER DISCONNECTING AND RECONNECTING THE BATTERY CABLE OR RESETTING THE COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,400.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 28, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10861985

Showing 6 of 59 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.