2004 Pontiac GRAND AM: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10048687 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT STRUT BOLT WAS MISSING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048687 at NHTSA ↗
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 10080130 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
WHEN TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE IGNITION WILL NOT CONNECT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086075 · 2004-08-03 (August 3, 2004)
UPON CLOSING MY CAR DOOR, THE PLASTIC FRAME AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE SIDE WINDOW CUT MY THUMB OPEN.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086075 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086675 · 2004-08-12 (August 12, 2004)
NO OTHER MANUFACTURER, AMERICAN OR FORIEGN, HAS A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF WARPED FRONT ROTORS, AND WITHIN THE LAST DECADE THIS PROBLEM INCREASINGLY SHOWS ITSELF AT RELATIVEY LOW MILAGE. MY MOST RECENT EXPERIENCE (LAST 3 YEARS) WAS A NEW GRAND AM SE DEVELOPING PULSATING BRAKES AT 20K MI. THE DEALER FOUGHT WITH US TOOTH & NAIL AND SAID "THAT'S YOUR FAULT, WE AINT PAYING FOR ANYTHING!" I CALLED THE PONTIAC ZONE AND RAISED HELL, ..NO CIGAR. FINALLY GOT WITH THE SHOP MANAGER TO PULL THE ROTORS & PUT THEM ON THE LATHE AND SEE HOW TRUE THEY WERE. THEY …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086675 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 10091803 · 2004-09-10 (September 10, 2004)
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER PULLED TO THE RIGHT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DELARSHIP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091803 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V301000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2004-06-30 (June 30, 2004)
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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V400000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2014-07-03 (July 3, 2014)
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.
Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗