I keep rewriting this because for some reason it keeps timing out everytime I look for the video to attach. I brought the car to taska twice for underhood fire and ignition. No head gasket got fixed no spark plugs there is several issues water keeps getting in tires are rotted electrical problems and now head gasket is messed up because the hood wasn't put on till afterwards for the recall the ignition is still not fixed. Last time I drove it back it stalled out and smelled over heated
2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems
55 complaints (35% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 116,500.
- owner complaints
- 55
- of this car's complaints
- 35%
- typical mileage
- 116,500
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Engine6
- Cooling system2
- Exhaust system1
- Engine: gasoline1
- Cooling system: radiator assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
- 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 engines 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 number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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 number 09V116000 · Recall details
What 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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
I had an engine fire. Complete loss of car.
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
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that while driving and idled, the temperature gauge increased indicating the vehicle was overheating. As a result, the contact had to pull over for a moment for the engine to cool. The engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo have engine problems?
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 35% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 116,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine?
Yes, 2 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Chevrolet Monte Carlo have bad engine?
The Chevrolet Monte Carlo model years with the most engine complaints are 2001 (95 complaints), 2000 (70 complaints) and 2002 (68 complaints).
Other 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo problems
Electrical 49Brakes 24Airbags 11Transmission 11Lights 7Driver assistance 5Fuel system 5Visibility 5Acceleration 4Suspension 4Steering 3Tires 3Body 2Seat belts 1Wheels 1
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