Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (27.8% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 44 · 27.8% | Recalled | Recall 14V400000 |
| Engine | 32 · 20.3% | Recalled | Recall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 14 · 8.9% | Recalled | Recall 15V701000 · Recall 09V116000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor | 11 · 7% | not available | — |
| Air Bags | 8 · 5.1% | Recalled | Recall 02V222000 · Recall 03V051000 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 · 3.8% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 158 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · 2015 · reported 10/26/2015
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · 2009 · reported 04/08/2009
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E005000 · 2009 · reported 02/17/2009
A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08E063000 · 2008 · reported 10/17/2008
IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V250000 · 2003 · reported 07/15/2003
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V222000 · 2002 · reported 08/09/2002
PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V051000 · 2003 · reported 02/14/2003
THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I HAVE A 2003 MONTECARLO SS WITH A 3.8 ENGINE. RECENTLY WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS MY SECURITY LIGHT HAS COME ON. HAVE BEEN…”NHTSA complaint 10795292 — filed 11/22/2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED…”NHTSA complaint 10787238 — filed 10/30/2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED…”NHTSA complaint 10781054 — filed 10/09/2015 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 44 of 158 NHTSA complaints (27.8%), followed by engine (32), engine and engine cooling (14), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
158 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 18 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 9 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
