2004 Pontiac GRAND AM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
293 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
74,633 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 223 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 112 of 293 complaints (38.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 39 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 38 | 13.0% |
| Engine operation | 14 | 4.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 9 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 112 |
| Exterior Lighting | 30 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Air Bags | 16 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module | 12 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Structure | 11 |
Electrical System: 112; Exterior Lighting: 30; Engine: 17; Air Bags: 16; Vehicle Speed Control: 13; Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module: 12; Steering: 12; Structure: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 28 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 39 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 45 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 32 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 51 |
| 150,000 and above | 28 |
Under 25,000: 28; 25,000 to 49,999: 39; 50,000 to 74,999: 45; 75,000 to 99,999: 32; 100,000 to 149,999: 51; 150,000 and above: 28
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (51). 70 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 31 |
| 2008 | 33 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 26 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 26 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 15; 2005: 13; 2006: 12; 2007: 31; 2008: 33; 2009: 18; 2010: 26; 2011: 14; 2012: 9; 2013: 19; 2014: 42; 2015: 26; 2016: 12; 2017: 6; 2018: 8; 2019: 6; 2020: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 39 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10073037 · 2004-05-23 (May 23, 2004)
I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ON A DRY CLEAR DAY. WHEN I EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND SLOWED DOWN IN THE EXIT LANE BY TAPPING THE BRAKES THE CAR TURNED 90 DEGREES TOWARD THE INSIDE OF THE CIRCLE AND PROCEEDED OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR BEHAVED LIKE IT WAS ON A SHEET OF ICE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A WARM DRY DAY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079985 · 2004-08-30 (August 30, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. ALSO, THE BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING AND THAT THE MOUNTING OF THE BRAKE LINE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO LEAK. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS VERY CAVALIER IN HIS APPROACH, THUS IRRITATING THE CONSUMER. *AK *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097257 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)
THE VEHICLE WAS FLOODED. WATER LEAKED THROUGH THE SUN ROOF BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION IN THE DRAINS. THE PATH THE WATER WENT WAS THE FLOOR BOARD, IT SOAKED THE COMPUTER ON THE SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD PANEL. THIS CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY THE WATER. ALSO, THE MOLD AND MILDEW WAS MAKING THE CONSUMER'S CHILD SICK. THEY HAVE HAD RESPIRATORY INFECTION ETC. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134303 · 2005-08-26 (August 26, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM THE CAR FAILED AT 30 MPH. IT COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER STEERING AND NO WAY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR UNTIL COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP TO RESTART IT. ONCE I HAD STOPPED IT DID RESTART WITHOUT INCIDENT. ONE WEEK LATER THE CAR FAILED TO START AT ALL NOT EVEN TURNING OVER. WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AT THE GARAGE IT WAS FOUND TO BE A FAULTY "IGNITION CONTROL MODULE" IN THE CAR. AT THIS TIME THE PART WAS REPLACED ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN WITHIN 2 MONTHS TIME AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086937 · 2004-08-16 (August 16, 2004)
DURING LOW SPEED MANUEVERS, TURNING INTO A PARCKING SPACE,PARRALLEL PARKING, WHEN TURNING AT IDLE SPEED STEERING TIGHTENS UP LIKE IT IS MANUAL STEERING. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY ORDERED A NEW POWERSTEERING PUMP. CAR CURRENTLY HAS 10,000 MILES BUT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE NEW.. JUST A LITTLE INFO INCASE ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086937 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10101187 · 2004-11-02 (November 2, 2004)
RENTER CAR I SECURED IN APRIL 2004 HAD STEERING PROBLEMS WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. *BF *SC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262474 · 2009-03-19 (March 19, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD OFTEN STALL AND FAIL TO RESTART. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 101,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262474 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10324089 · 2010-04-06 (April 6, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION. IT TOOK TEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO FINALLY START UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP TWICE, ON THE SECOND VISIT THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE STILL STALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10324089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105049 · 2004-12-20 (December 20, 2004)
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, AND THE KEY STICKS WHEN THE CONSUMER TRIES TO REMOVE IT OR PLACE IT INTO THE IGNITION. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THE EXISTING DEFECTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 31,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10259729 · 2009-02-24 (February 24, 2009)
WAS DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN ROAD ON WAY TO WORK. APPROACHED INTERSECTION AND DEPRESSED CLUTCH TO DOWN SHIFT AND APPLY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. HOWEVER WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV UP ON ITS OWN WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, UNTIL IT REACHED THE RED LINE. AFTER PUMPING ACCELERATOR ABOUT FIVE OR SIX TIMES VEHICLE STOPPED REVVING UP. HOWEVER SEVERAL MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV UP AGAIN WHEN CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED TO SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE, VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY GM DEALERSHIPS AND GM REP BU…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,598 miles reported. Look up ODI 10259729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10095680 · 2004-10-13 (October 13, 2004)
GAS TANK RUPPTURED TRAVELING ON A ROAD FREE OF DEBRI AT A SPEED OF 20-25 MPH/ I HEARD A LOUD THUMP IN REAR OF VEHICHLE UPON ARRIVING HOME WHEN GETTING OUT I SMELLED A VERY STRONG GAS AROMA, LOOKING UNDER THE CAR GAS WAS STREAMING OUT OF BOTTOM OF GAS TANK IN ABOUT 6 STREAMS APPROXIMATELY 1-1 1/2 INCHES IN FRONT OF MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. NO ONE WITH GM SEEMS TO FEEL THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE FOR THE GAS TANK TO FAIL AT THIS SPEED OR THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD BEEN IN THE HAIRDRESSER FOR ABOUT 2 HR SO THE CAR WAS COLD AT THE TIME O…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10095680 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210928 · 2007-12-05 (December 5, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED FUEL IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THEY REPLACED THE GAS TANK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V301000) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 48,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210928 at NHTSA ↗