24 of the
204 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo are about the
braking system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
26,000 miles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, SERVICE TRACTION, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL HUB WITH THE ABS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HUBS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,856.
NHTSA complaint #11003988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesTawas City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
I OWN A PRISTINE 2003 MONTE SS, STORED EVERY WINTER AND MAINTAINED BY MY MECHANIC HUSBAND. I HAVE 2 ISSUES WITH THE CAR. FIRST, I NEVER USE MY BRIGHT LIGHTS BECAUSE MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT IF I DO. SECOND I AM HAVING BRAKE ISSUES. I HAVE HAD THE SAME THING WITH A SILVERADO TRUCK BEFORE. ABS WOULD COME ON A SLOW SPEEDS WHEN NOT NEEDED, DRY PAVEMENT OR GRAVEL. REALLY SCARES ME BECAUSE I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN MY SILVERADO TRUCK FROM THIS SAME PROBLEM. NOW MY ABS LIGHT AND SERVICE TRACTION CONTROL ARE ALWAYS ON AND NOT WORKING. I HAVE BEEN A DIE HARD CHEVY OWNER BUT I AM SO UNHAPPY WITH THE BREAK SYSTEMS IN THEM. I HAVE ANOTHER FOREIGN CAR THAT I DRIVE IN THE WINTER AND LOVE THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #10874573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesKansas City, MOFire
SERVICE BRAKES
MY 2003 MONTE SS HAD BEEN SMOKING AND HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING & SHIFTING AND PUT ON TESTERS AND READ CODE AND I NEEDED A AIR FLOW SENSOR SO I HAD THAT PUT ON, WAS RECOMMENDED I GET TUNE UP SO I GOT THAT, AND HAD JUST PUT NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. THE FOLLOWING DAY AFTER PUTTING GAS IN THE CAR I WAS LEAVING GAS STATION AND LOST ACCELERATION AGAIN AND THE CAR SMOKED AGAIN. I SOON LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING GAS & BREAKS AND WINDOWS. PEOPLE PASSING BY WERE HONKING AND SAID THE UNDERNEATH OF CAR AND UNDER HOOD HAD FLAMES IN FRONT OF CAR. I HAD TO THROW IT IN PARK AND JUMP OUT BECAUSE THE PEDDLES QUIT WORKING AND THE CAR EXPLODED IN FLAMES AND HAD I NOT HAD MY WINDOW DOWN I WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE AND COULD HAVE LOST MY LIFE. THE ENGINE AND WHOLE ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND THE CAR BURNED UP WITH 3-5 MINUTES. THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR AND THE ONLY MEANS OF GETTING DISABLED CHILD TO THE APPOINTMENTS HE NEEDED AND TO WORK AND HAS PUT HARDSHIP ON OUR FAMILY.
NHTSA complaint #10632913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesFair Lawn, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ROTORS OF MY 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO LS NEED TO RESURFACED OR REPLACE EVERY 6000 MILES, OTHERWISE I WILL FEEL THE SHAKING/VIBRATING OF THE BRAKES WHEN I TRY TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AT HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10383061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesTawas City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
HAVING THE COMMON TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 MONTE SS. CANT BELIEVE THIS ISN'T PART OF A RECALL AND ONLY A TSB. AT THIS POINT THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN EXACT ANSWER ON WHAT TO HAVE REPLACED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. JUST SPEND ALOT OF MONEY AND HOPE YOU HAD THE CORRECT REPAIR. TRACTION ACTIVE COMES ON AT SLOW SPEED AND DRY ROADS. USUALLY AFTER BACKING UP AND THEN TURNING SHARPLY. ANTI LOCKS HAVE EVEN ENGAGED WHEN THEY SHOULDN'T. AGAIN AT SLOW SPEEDS AND DRY ROADS. I'M APPALLED BECAUSE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY CHEVY TRUCK THAT CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT. I'M VERY FEARFUL OF ANOTHER ACCIDENT. GM HAD AN INVESTIGATOR CHECK MY TRUCK AND THEY TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT BRAKE FAILURE. GOING TO TRY THE WIRING HARNESS FIRST AND GO FROM THERE I GUESS.
NHTSA complaint #10330540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 117,000 milesWinder, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2 COMPLAINTS. WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION AND MAKING A HARD LEFT THE SERVICE TRACTION SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TRAC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR MAKES A GRINDING NOISE. ONLY DOES THIS AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND COMPLAINT IS THE OVERHEAD DRIVER CONTROL PANEL WILL NOT COME ON AND THEN AFTER DRIVING A WAYS IT WILL COME ON. WHEN OFF THE AIR OR HEAT OR DEFROST WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE REPLACED IT ONCE AND NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE LIGHTS FOR THE TRACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10330019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,499 milesClaremore, OKCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ABS BRAKING IN MY 2003 CHEVY MONTE CARLO I WAS 2 CARS LENGTHS AWAY FROM A FORD BRONKA FOR WHOM I REARENDED, I WAS LOOKING TO TURN IN QT PARKING LOT THEN I LOOKED BACK AND THE CARS AHEAD HAD STOPPED. I HIT THE BREAKS EXPECTING TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THE CONTACT BUT THE BREAKS JUST LOCKED UP AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY THANK GOD FOR SEATBELTS. AS THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR WAS SLIDING FORWARD AND I HAD MY FOOT PUMPING TO SLOW BUT EVERY TIME I TOUCH THE PEDAL IT WOULD JUST LOCK UP. I TRIED THIS TWICE AND THEM I JUST BRACED FOR THE HIT WHEN WE HIT MY FOOT WAS JAMMED BACK ON THE BREAK NOW I HAVE A BROKEN FOOT.
NHTSA complaint #10274429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO HAS BRAKE AND FUEL LINES THAT HAVE RUSTED OUT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10262331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,758 milesGoetzville, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. AT 18,758 MILES, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS SHAKING SEVERELY AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR THREE WEEKS AND NO ONE HAS CALLED HER BACK TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS KEPT IN STORAGE DURING THE WINTER BECAUSE IT IS NOT DRIVEN OFTEN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 34,261 UPDATED 01/08/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LET FRONT TIRE HAS FLAT SPOTS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AFTER THE TIRES WERE ROTATED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHAKES. THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 01/09/09.
NHTSA complaint #10249713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesBroken Arrow, OKCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2004 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO WITH 46000 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 40 MPH ON A SNOWY DAY HE NOTICED A VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE FAST LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT COULD NOT STOP IN TIME AND STRUCK THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED.
NHTSA complaint #10182758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesLouisville, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE/ROTOR PROBLEMS. THE CAR HAS HAD CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES VIBRATING/GRINDING. I HAVE HAD TWO SETS OF FRONT BRAKES PUT ON THE CAR, ONE AT 32,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 65,000 MILES. AT 32,000 MILES THE CAR HAD WARPED ROTORS THAT THEY SAID WAS CAUSING THE VIBRATING. WITHIN A YEAR, THEY ARE VIBRATING AGAIN. I AM 46 YEARS OLD AND NEVER HAD CAR TO HAVE WARPED ROTORS. THE CAR MAKES A LOT OF NOISE WHEN BRAKING AT HIGHER SPEEDS - AROUND 55 - 60. I LOVE THE CAR OTHERWISE, JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET THE BRAKE PROBLEMS CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10157554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesMagnolia, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. SHE THEN PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, WHICH SLOWED THE SPEED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK. THE MECHANIC CLEANED THE THROTTLE SYSTEM, AND REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF HER ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10145583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesLocust Grove, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TURNED THE ROTORS. THIS REMEDIED THE PROBLEM FOR APPROXIMATELY 30-60 DAYS. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. THE ROTORS HAVE TO BE TURNED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 10,000 MILES. THIS PROCEDURE HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10142970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,163 milesLackawaxen, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DURING INSPECTION, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS WERE COMING APART. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ROTORS. *JB CONSUMER REPLACED FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AT HER EXPENSE AND WAS REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. MECHANIC SAID THE ROTORS WERE MADE OF PRESSED METAL THAT FLAKED APART WHICH MADE THE BRAKES WEAR OUT. *BF
NHTSA complaint #10112922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesPell City, AL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2003 MONTE CARLO IN THREE DIFFERENT TIMES FOR ROTOR VIBRATION. I HAVE BEEN IN TALKS WITH GMAC AND THEY ARE NOW TELLING ME THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS DUE TO DRIVER HABITS. THIS IS SO UNFAIR, SEEING AS THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE A CALIPHER ON MY LAST SERVICE CALL SAYING THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE WHOLE PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE TO HEAR THE BRAKES "SCRUBBING" AS I STOP, IT SOUNDS LIKE A 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK! THEY SAY THIS IS DUE TO THE BRAKES "WEARING INTO" THE NEW SHAPE OF THE ROTOR. SIGH, SO MUCH FOR BEING EXICITED OVER YOUR $378.00 A MONTH VEHICLE. ALL THAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR IS THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED THREE DIFFERENT TIMES AND RIGHT SIDE CALIPHER REPLACED. (THEY TRIED TO CHARGE ME BUT THEN THEY "FOUND"THE CALIPHER HAS STUCK).
NHTSA complaint #10107939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesReinbeck, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WERE TURNED TWICE AND THEN FINALLY REPLACED AFTER REPEATED GRABBING/VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING OCCURRED. DEALER FINALLY REPLACED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WHEN I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE THIRD TIME. THERE WAS NO CHARGE TO ME (WARRANTY COVERED IT).
NHTSA complaint #10106591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ashland City, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES WERE CHANGED @ 32,000 MILES STILL WAS HAVING VIBRATION WHEN I PRESSED THE PEDAL TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO CHECK 4 TIMES AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. RECENTLY I HAD TO TAKE BACK FOR OIL CHANGE, ROTATION OF TIRES I TOLD THEM TO CHECK AGAIN AND MY ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED BUT, THEY DID NOT CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS SAID THEY STILL HAD 75% WEAR. THE ROTORS COST ME OVER $100.00. I AM STILL HAVING VIBRATION WHEN I DRIVE AND RUBBING WHEN I PRESS MY BRAKE PEDAL. I HAD MY CAR ALIGNED @ THE DEALER WHEN THE ROTORS WERE TURNED. NOW I AM GOING TO GET THEM TO CHECK MY BRAKES AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10102375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL VEHICLE VIBRATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. HAD THE REPAIRS DONE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10092796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,500 milesHampton, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS REQUIRED TO BE TURNED FOUR TIMES AND READY TO BE TURNESD AGAIN FOR A FIF TH TIME
NHTSA complaint #10086689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesAmelia, OHCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE PROBLEMS, ROTORS TURNED BEFORE 8,000 MILES DUE TO VIBRATION.BRAKES NOW SSQUEAL AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT HIT ANOTHER CAR AND WHEN I TRYED TO GET IT STOPED THE BRAKES PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO HIT A ELECT. *AK POLE.SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10033239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,400 milesReinbeck, IA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2 PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM - (1) BRAKES SQUEAKED UNTIL AT LEAST 8,000 MILES. (2) FRONT BRAKE ROTORS REQUIRED TURNING AFTER 9,500 MILES. HAD MASSIVE VIBRATION FROM STEERING WHEEL WHICH PROMPTED ROTOR TURNING.
NHTSA complaint #10029247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,500 milesVirginia Beach, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FAILURE OF ROTORS (FRONT) CONTINUE TO REQUIRE TURNING AFTER NORMAL DRIVING AT 6,500 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10023812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesDowningtown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WITHIN 3 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE OF VEHICLE, FRONT BRAKES BEGAN SQUEALING ERRATICALLY, CAUSING ABNORMAL DUSTING AND PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKES. PROBLEM IS CONTINUOUS. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74 milesOklahoma City, OK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BOUGHT NEW 2003 MONTE CARLO SS. BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT, ABS KICKS IN PREMATURELY, TRACTION LIGHT COMES ON. BODY THROTTLE HAS CRACKED. BOUGHT DECEMBER 17, 2002, AS OF DATE BEEN IN SHOP SIX TIMES. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.