Problems · by component

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems

31 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo cite engine, 20% of all 157 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
31
20% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
9
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2023EngineODI 11559383
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11438831
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2019EngineODI 11252646
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 18, 2018EngineODI 11112192
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2018Electrical system, Tires, EngineFire reportedODI 11103994
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 13, 2017EngineODI 11054504

Showing 6 of 31 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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

Other 2003 Monte Carlo problem areas