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2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo: won't start

5 of the 158 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo describe won't start.

owner complaints
5
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
65,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 77 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Won't start by model year

What owners say

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Engine · 75,000 miles · LA

Since september of 2013 this is around the 5th time this happens. When you turn the ignition to start the car the engine just won't turn over. Then after a while it starts. All the other electrical things happen like lights, radio but the engine just won't turn and it's not the battery. A couple months ago it happened again in the morning and in the afternoon after work I took it to dealership and they could not find the problem as it did not happen with them. They could not mimic the problem so they could not figure what was wrong.

Filed Apr 17, 2013 · Electrical · 119,754 miles · FL

Security light on the dash comes on and vehicle will not start. This continued to happen during the past year and seems to be increasing in frequency. Seems as though there are many many gm owners that are having the same problem and in talking to gm they know about the problem but state it is the owners expense to fix the problem which ranges from $500.00-$750.00. With the multitude of complaints I feel gm should be issuing recall. I have been stranded numerous times late at night alone and safety is an issue. You never know where or when your car won't start!

Filed May 26, 2010 · Electrical · 54,778 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that the path lock security system malfunctioned and the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was an electrical issue. The dealer replaced the bcm and non-oem modules. The repairs were performed at the contacts expense. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The manufacturer stated that they would notify him of their findings. The failure mileage was 54,778. The current mileage was 54,878.

Filed Apr 15, 2009 · Engine · 65,000 miles · FL

I had to replace my cat converter at approx. 65,000 miles, have intermittent headlight failure when switching from high to low beams, certain lights on the stereo and climate controls have gone out, and security/key lock cylinder issues, where the car won't start for an hour or so. Car now has 86,000miles, issues still exist. *tr this is the jeff gordon edition

Filed Dec 6, 2003 · Electrical · 13,120 miles · IA

While on a trip, I left car sit for 1 week (approximately 7 days) in the garage of my house with no accessories plugged in, and the car would not start when I returned. The battery was completely drained and did not even have enough power left in it to even unlock the doors. Took car to dealership and they found nothing wrong with the battery, charging system, or current draw when not running. This sort of thing should not happen to a car with an msrp of $30,000.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipeReported October 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected
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 engine’s 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 coolingReported April 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected
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 engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’s 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

Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo won't start

Is won't start a common problem on the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

5 of 158 owner complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (3%) mention won't start. The model year with the most reports is 2002.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?

There are 2 recalls and 77 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Fire or smoke 12Stalling 11ABS 8Grinding brakes 8Headlights 8Check engine light 6Loss of power 6No deployment 5

All model years of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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