Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 54 complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, 26% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
54 27% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
118,000 miles 34 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 16
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 118,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 0 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 1 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 4 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 4 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 4 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 4 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 7 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 7 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 118,000 miles
Based on 34 complaints that include mileage. 15% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles0
20k to 40k miles1
40k to 60k miles4
60k to 80k miles4
80k to 100k miles4
100k to 120k miles4
120k to 140k miles7
140k to 160k miles7
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 34 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 118,000 miles, and 15% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 16 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact's vehicle caught fire where the exhaust manifold and dip stick are located. She sustained injuries. GM recall number 90047 and NHTSA campaign id number 09v116000 were referenced. The contact called the manufacturer and sent them copies of all the requested information, but they have not responded. The fire occurred two months ago. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that they could not assist because GM filed for bankruptcy.

Reported at 127,000 miles, April 2009 FireInjury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet monte carlo. The contact stated that the vehicle unexpectedly engulfed in flames. The contact was able to exit the vehicle safely and sustained no personal injuries.the fire department extinguished the flames and the vehicle was completely destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a savage facility. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 50,129. The VIN was unavailable.

Reported at 50,129 miles, November 2011 Fire

Other problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Chevrolet models