2004 Pontiac Grand Prix: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 454 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (18% of complaints); the 2003 and 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 454 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil while driving. The contact stated that occasionally when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as designed, causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact stated the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake hubs, rear brakes, oxygen sensor, and fuel gauge needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 229,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2021
“Oil leaking ,traction control keeps shutting on and off,evac leak,in motion,smoke and oil stains coming from car. Scanner reads misfire needs plugs and wires but just got plugs and wires.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated while driving 24 mph, a clicking sound was heard in the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to a business parking lot and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Steering · May 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Fire department said my car burned up cold in the yard electrical from the fuse box passenger side. The alarm went off I looked outside flames was going thru windshield thru the dash tires was burning called fire dept. 02/04/2020. Car is totalled. I never had any issues with the car..it just burst into flames. It had not been driven, engine was cold. It was parked had been parked over 24 hours. Grove fire dept responded starr sc. I will just have to send a picture later. It's dark now”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“ABS and traction control lights are illuminated. Sometimes while braking, a weird hydraulic sound is heard and the brakes dont want to stop the car. The pedal wont go down further unless sometimes you force it and lock up the tires and brakes. No codes are showing for the ABS or traction control. Been happening sporadically for a year.”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jul 2019
“I took my car in for the 2015 recall for the valve cover on 3/1/16. It was about 63,000 at the time this recall service was performed. However, even after the recall was done, oil and engine coolant still leaks from the valve cover and from the front exhaust manifold. I went in to get it checked at the same gm service location that performed the recall in 2015 because the car heats up and they said it would cost over $900 to repair the manifold leak. This recall did not repair the issue as described and continues to be a safety concern. I have not received a notification from the manufacturer to resolve this issue either.”Owner report · Engine · May 2019
“My left side signal doesn't work my whole left side of my car has a electrical issue back brake like park light signal.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand prix. While driving approximately 40 mph, a rattling noise was present coming from the front of the vehicle and the engine suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to demontrond gmc (14101 n. Freeway, houston, tx), but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 177,000.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2019
“Driving down my familiar road of dutch hills off of dr. 50. I turned my wheel at 27mph. Slid off toward the edge of the road. Fishtailed, maintained composure. Then , began a fishtail to a 180-360 into a concreted steel beamed mailbox. Knocking out my drivers light assembly, front fender, bumper, disabling thehoodof my car, tilting my radiator. Nothing ofthenight should of skinny tires,nor mademefail to maintain my vehicle.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2019
“My car was parked turned off . I went into a store and came back out to my car in flames it is destroyed and I am devastated. The fire started under the hood where the engine is the engine is destroyed. Tires burnt up completely undriveable.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 46 of these complaints and injuries in 47 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKING SYSTEMS." ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE FITTING MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED PROPERLY, AND A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE HOSE FITTING TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION, AND ADD BRAKE FLUID IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 28, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine's front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE FRONT FRAME REAR BODY MOUNT BRACKET MAY FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT FRAME ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 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.
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 THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: 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 DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IF ONE OF THE TWO ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURN SPRINGS FAILS AND THE TEMPERATURE IS -22 DEGREES F TO -40 DEGREES F, THE ENGINE MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE WITHIN THREE SECONDS, AS REQUIRED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic cover and plastic oil fill tube extension and replace the front valve cover and gasket. These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Prix 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 Prix reliable?
NHTSA has 454 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The most complained-about area is electrical system (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 77,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. 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.