Problems · by component

2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo electrical system problems

87 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo cite electrical system, 73% of all 120 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
87
73% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR THE BOOST GAGE WAS NOT WORKING. A FEW DAYS LATER THE GAS OIL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES STARTED GOING CRAZY. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDS TO WORK TO SHOW OVERHEATING OF ENGINE TO AVOID DAMAGE. INTERNET FORUMS SAY THIS ISSUE A VERY COMMON ISSUE. PICTURE SHOWS GAUGES ON LEFT AFTER CAR RUNNING 10 MIN WITH APPROX HALF TANK OF GAS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2018Electrical systemODI 11092066
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OVER IN THE IGNITION SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO BE REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE THE RECALL REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2017Electrical systemODI 10959753
“KEY FOB QUIT WORKING. I USE THE KEY TO MANUALLY UNLOCK CAR. HOWEVER, AFTER CAR IS PARKED AND OFF, THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK THEMSELVES. THE FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS FLASH WHILE DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING. THE OTHER NIGHT, IT WAS FLASHING MORSE CODE FOR OVER 24HOURS. I DO NOT HAVE ON STAR CONNECTED. HORN QUIT WORKING 4 MONTHS RIGHT BEFORE KEY FOB QUIT. I CAN'T USE MY BRIGHT LIGHTS, BECAUSE I LOSE DASH LIGHTS, HEAD LIGHTS. MY SON AND I SHARE THIS CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK. SINCE THE LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ALL DAY AND NIGHT, I FELT IT IS UNSAFE FOR HIM TO DRIVE TO WORK WHICH IS 40 MILES ONE WAY. WHY SO MANY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUS? I DRIVE MY CAR DURING DAY TIME. I PRAY I MAKE IT TO WORK. I HAVE TO DRIVE 9 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK. HOWEVER, I DRIVE HIGHWAY 75 WITH SEMI TRUCKS GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR. IF THIS CAR LOSES POWER ON THAT HIGHWAY, I WILL PROBABLY NOT SURVIVE. UNSAFE AND NOT RELIABLE VEHICLE. CHEVY SHOULD HELP US MONTE CARLO OWNERS GET THEM FIXED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2016Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10920405
“I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS CAR A FEW MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR AT NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS ON BRIGHT, BECAUSE WHEN I DO THE LIGHTS SHUT COMPLETELY OFF AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THEM TO COME BACK ON IS TO FLIP THE DIMMER SWITCH. I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND HIGHWAY BOTH, DRIVING THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. THIS PROBLEM, IN MY OPINION IS A BIG HAZARD AND VERY UNSAFE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH REPLACED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED, BECAUSE IT FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE I WAS GOING ON VACATION, I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN MY CAR OR WHAT SPEED I WAS GOING ALL GAUGES WERE OUT OF WHACK. THE CAR SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE, I'VE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THEY CLAIM THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD SMELL THE GAS BOTH ON THE OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF CAR. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE KEY, I TOOK INTO DEALER AND THEY PUT A COVER OVER THE OLD KEY, I PERSONALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF WHATEVER THE PROBLEM WAS. I HAVE NOTICED THAT OTHERS ON HERE HAVE LISTED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR. WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS, IF THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 18, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10860219
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 29, 2016Electrical systemODI 10839051
“SPEEDOMETER GOING NUTS. STUCK ON 85MPH WHILE IDLE AND OFF AS WELL. PERIODICALLY, THE TRAC AND ABS LIGHTS WILL COME ON. WHEN BACKING UP AND PUT IN DRIVE TO GO, THE TRACTION ACTIVE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR WILL LUG AND GRIND.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2016Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10820177

Showing 6 of 87 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

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

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