2004 Pontiac Grand AM: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 293 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (38% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 293 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“NHTSA # 14V400, Mfg. Campaign # N140350 Was informed about this recall and called the number given to me by Pontiac (South County Buick GMC 2202 National City Blvd. National City CA 91950, (619) 477-4462) but all I got was endless automated messages. The one real person I talked to was rude and sounded like she was about to quit her job and gave me a number to call which was the same as the one I started with! This defect is putting my family at risk and the type of non-service I am receiving from Pontiac is truly a disgrace! [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2021
“On multiple occasions, I have to go through a timely security re-set procedure due to the system disabling my ability to start my car. I have read that this is a recurring issue with other car owners like mine. The vehicle is stationary when this happens. It happens at random times. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2020
“I pulled up to a stop light and my car just shut off. I tried to start it several times but all I got was a click. The ignition isn't catching.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Fuel system recall , strong gas smell inside car exterior lighting recall, hard to see while driving car at night eletrical sytem ignition recall power cuts on and off”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2019
“Vehicle shuts down as it did during recall. They supposedly repaired it. I then bought it from previous owner who did not mention the problem as being on a recall. We found out but dealer says it was repaired. Obviously the fix did not work as vehicle still shuts down and says airbag warning. What recourse do we have when they say it was previously repaired but wasn't.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2019
“Transmission solenoids burnt out due to overheating tcc solenoid pressure solenoid will not let me go in reverse or drive”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own. The contact exited the interstate and attempted to brake as the transmission made an abnormally loud sound. The contact pulled into a fuel station, raised the hood, and observed smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact waited a while and then drove home with the brake pedal down to the floorboard. The contact's husband was a mechanic and diagnosed the vehicle, but no failure code was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The contact took the vehicle to waldorf chevrolet cadillac (2298 crain hwy, waldorf, md 20601, (301) 645-7000), but they refused to perform the recall repair because the rubber covering on the key was fractured. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 231,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2018
“Vehicle is blacking out while driving at a stopping happened once now key does not turn do to ignition lock not being replaced at recall old key get stuck as well as new key if I die driving at least I can say I still like my poniac”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. On several occasions, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ignition switch module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The local dealer (neil huffman auto group, 3810 springhurst blvd #310, louisville, ky) was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 162,000. **tr consumer stated car failed to start on many occasions. Online complaints include not starting possible ignition shut down write operating car. Passlock code faulty. VIN is invalid updated 10/26/18*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 24 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK THAT DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. A WELD ON THESE FUEL TANKS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
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 agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: 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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand AM by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
NHTSA has 293 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM. The most complained-about area is electrical system (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Grand AM problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.