Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 64 | 53% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 2% |
| Engine | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I have had numerous lights, noise, continuously for the last 7 years have replaced numerous parts, only to last awhile then the lights, noise return. Seems there is no cure for this malfunctioning problem, have heard GM
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
THE PCM FOR THE TRANSMISSION IS OUT OR DEFECTIVE AND FROM WHAT I'VE RESEARCHED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE MONTE CARLO. CHEVROLET SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING A KNOWN DEFECTIVE COMPUTER!
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR THE BOOST GAGE WAS NOT WORKING. A FEW DAYS LATER THE GAS OIL PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES STARTED GOING CRAZY. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDS TO WORK TO SHOW OVERHEATING OF ENGINE TO AVOID DA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH IS FAULTY. MY BLINKERS NEVER WORK RIGHT. SOMETIMES I HAVE RIGHT AND NO LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND MANY TIMES THE HAZARD LIGHTS TURN ON WHEN I USE TURN SIGNAL. THE TURN SIGNAL SOUND OF CLICKING NEVE
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
FEUL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL #07E021000 FOR 2005 IMPALA, BUT NOT FOR MY MONIE CARLO , GAS SMELL WHILE DRIVING/FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO TURN OVER IN THE IGNITION SO THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
MY CAR HAS A STRONG GAS ODOR PARTICULARLY IN COLDER WEATHER. I NOTICED IT LAST WINTER AND IT WENT AWAY DURING THE SUMMER. NOW THAT THE TEMPS ARE GETTING COOLER, IT HAS STARTED AGAIN. I TURN ON THE HEAT AND HAVE TO DRIVE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
MY ENGINE (V6 3.8L 3800 SERIES) IS LEAKING OIL ON THE ENGINE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS YESTERDAY (11/2/16) WHEN HE REPLACED THE PLASTIC ELBOWS AS I HAD ANTIFREEZE LEAKING FROM THEM. HE SAID THE 3.8 L ENGINE HAS A RECALL
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen
Risk: 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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN
Risk: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT D
DORMAN PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 3,900 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS DORMAN PART NOS. 425-151, 425-152, AND 425-153, (SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS" BRAND NAME), BALKAMP #'S 7-3057, 7-3058, 7-3059 (SOLD UNDER THE "NAPA" BRAND NAME), AND PLATINUM PARTS #'S 2425151, 2425152, AND 2425153 MANUFACTURED DU
Risk: IF THE WELD FAILS, LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE STEERING SHAFTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 16, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN TOLL FREE AT 1-800-523-2492.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 57 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 64 of them (53%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.