Headlight complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 | 5% | 164,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% | 29,000 miles |
| 2005 | 18 | 15% | 70,000 miles |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2002 | 33 | 14% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 36 | 13% | 75,000 miles |
| 2000 | 17 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 1999 | 5 | 4% | 94,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 4% | 104,000 miles |
| 1997 | 9 | 5% | 120,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 14 | 8% | 119,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was driving at night and both headlights (low beams) started flashing off and on then went completely out, I hit the dimmer switch and turned the hi beams on and they worked fine. When I shut my high beams off my low beams came back on and stayed on for the rest of my 120 mile trip. Four days later on my way to work in the dark the same thing happened, the following day my low beams would not turn on and I have to hold the dimmer switch to keep my high beams on or I will have no headlights. ( one hand on the dimmer switch one hand on the steering wheel). I suspect it is the multi function switch in the steering column which is a $300 part. But have not had it professionally diagnosed. This is a real safety issue that GM needs to address!
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving 35 MPH, the headlights cut off without warning. The contact stated that the headlights flashed off and on intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 95,400. Updated 02/23/16 updated 4/30/18
Thought this was the car for me. Wrong. After purchasing the car the following things have gone wrong and most seem dangerous. No way to control headlights .. Driving at night at 55 MPH, lights all shut off the indicator lights also stop working at random times ignition does not accept key every time resulting in leaving a spare key in the ignition and hope it starts. If not I'm required to wait 15 minutes before starting or longer. The traction system no longer works, along with cruise, or steering controls total power lost to steering wheel, hope this doesn't affect the airbag. I have the supercharged version, the engine caught fire and had to be replaced. Needless to say it is no longer supercharged. Not so sure about this issue, however when pumping gas the pump will kick off every half gallon pumped into tank. Another fire issue?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving 30 MPH, the instrument panel lights, tail lights and headlights failed when the high beam lights were activated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. While driving 40 MPH with the headlights activated on auto, the interior and exterior lights failed to remain illuminated. The failure has been occurring since 2004. The vehicle was taken to the service center six times while still under warranty. The vehicle is no longer under warranty and the service center will not take the vehicle without charging a fee. The contact is unsure of how long after taking the vehicle to the dealer did the lights begin to fail. He feels that the failure was never repaired and is a safety issue. He was involved in a crash one night due to the lights failing to illuminate. The vehicle is a safety issue because a serious crash could occur from driving the vehicle with the headlight failure, especially at night. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 40,000. Updated 09/10/08. Updated 09/12/08.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. The contact stated that the head lamp lenses had been oxidized and that there was a film build up which affected the visibility of the low beams while the vehicle was in motion causing the lighting to be dim. The contact also stated that the key less entry function failed intermittently and that upon entering the vehicle, it would not start. The contact was able to utilize the owners manual to override the system by either disconnecting and reconnecting the battery cable or resetting the computer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 2,400.
Turn signals fail to work and headlights go off when you are driving on interstate or local roads. Sometimes the headlights will come back on in a few seconds, other times it takes as long as thirty seconds
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Monte Carlo years have headlight problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (36), 2002 (33), 2005 (18), 2000 (17) and 1995 (14) model years. Headlight complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Monte Carlo headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for any Chevrolet Monte Carlo model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Monte Carlo headlight problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the turn signal (25 mentions), followed by the turn signal › switch (13).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.