MYRModel Year Report

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
454
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

24% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2002: 330 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2004: 454 complaints 2004 454 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1989 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1997 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 330 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2004: 454 complaints 2004 454 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1989 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1997 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 330 complaints 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 454 complaints 2004 454 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints

2004: 454 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19853
19862
19872
198892
1989143
1990177
1991173
1992117
1993132
1994217
1995169
199679
1997810
1998499
1999412
2000461
2001308
2002330
2003106
2004454
2005148
2006239
2007220
2008143

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

24% · 111 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and horn.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show 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, 2025-11-21

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, 2018-05-13

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, 2013-08-08

Engine

22% · 98 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Car caught on fire while driving on the highway

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-29

Steering

14% · 64 reports

Most commonly citing rack and pinion and column.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Service brakes

12% · 53 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The car was driven approximately 3 miles to school. It was parked and 15 minutes later it caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-04

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2003-08-28Service brakes, hydraulic03V331000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2004Complaint volume 454 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2004-06-28Service brakes, hydraulic04V287000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2004-08-16Structure04V299000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2005-03-08Vehicle speed control05V046000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2005-12-21Defect petitionClosed 2006-04-10 Unstable headlamps
  7. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2014-09-08Electrical system14V400000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2015-04-24Engine and engine cooling15V201000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 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 engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 111 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 98 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 64 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V331000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 04V287000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 04V299000 · Structure
  • Recall 05V046000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V400000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 15V201000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.