2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 3 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 92 |
| 1989 | 143 |
| 1990 | 177 |
| 1991 | 173 |
| 1992 | 117 |
| 1993 | 132 |
| 1994 | 217 |
| 1995 | 169 |
| 1996 | 79 |
| 1997 | 810 |
| 1998 | 499 |
| 1999 | 412 |
| 2000 | 461 |
| 2001 | 308 |
| 2002 | 330 |
| 2003 | 106 |
| 2004 | 454 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 239 |
| 2007 | 220 |
| 2008 | 142 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
24% of complaints: electrical system — 111 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and horn.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the "Low Oil" message was displayed monthly, requiring oil to be added to the engine.
NHTSA ODI report, 20251121
Also filed under ENGINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON FRIDAY MAY 11 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30 AM, MY CAR WAS PARKED & SHUT OFF IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I HEARD A LOUD "BANG" NOISE. I RAN TO MY WINDOW & SAW FLAMES & BLACK SMOKE ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180513
Also filed under STRUCTURE
GOT TO WORK (DROVE APPROXIMATELY 13 MILES), HAD NO WARNINGS ON DISPLAY AND HEAT GAUGE WAS READING NORMAL, PARKED THE CAR, WITHIN MINUTES THE CAR WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. UNSURE OF ORIGIN OF FIRE, DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130808
22% of complaints: engine — 98 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY
NHTSA ODI report, 20171129
14% of complaints: steering — 64 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rack and pinion and column.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH12% of complaints: service brakes — 53 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 42 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
THE CAR WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES TO SCHOOL. IT WAS PARKED AND 15 MINUTES LATER IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20120404
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
Campaign 03V331000 — check if this car was fixed
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 B
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.
Campaign 04V287000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 04V299000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FAI
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.
Campaign 05V046000 — check if this car was fixed
UNSTABLE HEADLAMPS
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 REPLACEM
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 D
Campaign 09E005000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 14V400000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
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.
Campaign 15V201000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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 engineÂs front valve cover and gasket.
Campaign 15V701000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (111 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (98 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (64 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V331000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V287000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V299000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V046000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E005000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V400000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.