2004 Pontiac GRAND PRIX: complaints, problems and recalls

2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040878 at NHTSA ↗

THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHAKING WHICH HAS CAUSED THE DISTRACTION OF DRIVERS ON THE OTHER LANE. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL RESPONSE WAS THAT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGNED THAT WAY. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041130 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHT SHAKE BADLY. ANY SLIGHT VARIATION IN THE ROAD SUCH AS EXPANSION JOINTS, CRACKS, BUMPS, ETC. RESULT IN OBVIOUS SHAKING SEEN ON REFLECTIVE SIGNS, CAR TAILS, ETC. THIS IS PRETTY DISTRACTING AS A DRIVER OF THE CAR, I CAN'T IMAGINE THE IMPACT ON OTHERS. DEALER OFFERED NO SOLUTION AS PONTIAC HAS NOT OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT ALL 2004 GRAND PRIX MODELS HAVE THIS ISSUE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041209 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHTS BOUNCE ON ALL ROAD SURFACES AT ALL SPEEDS, CAUSING DISTRACTIONS FOR BOTH THE DRIVER AND OTHER TRAFFIC, BOTH ONCOMING AND LEADING. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM BUT HAS NO TSB OR FIX AVAILABLE FROM PONTIAC. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041258 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE WAS EMITTING BLUE SMOKE FROM ITS TAIL-PIPE DUE TO EXCESSIVE USE OF OIL. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS 4000 MILES ON IT, THE DEALER SUSPECTS IT'S A BAD ENGINE. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041496 at NHTSA ↗

2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. BOUNCING HEADLIGHTS - ANNOYING AND DISTRACTING TO SURROUNDING TRAFFIC. NEEDS TO IMPROVE HEADLIGHT MOUNTING. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10041546 at NHTSA ↗

HEADLIGHTS ON 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX BOUNCE UNDER BUMPY CONDITIONS. CAUSES A DISTRATION TO BOTH DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I'VE BEEN YELLED AT BY OTHER MOTORISTS THAT MY LIGHTS ARE DISTRACTING AND SIMULATE THE FLASHING LIGHTS OF A POLICE CAR. I'VE ALSO HAD CARS PULL OVER WHEN I AM BEHIND THEM AND AS I PASS SPEED UP, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THEY REALIZE I AM NOT A POLICE OFFICER. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041557 at NHTSA ↗

MY HEADLIGHTS ARE BOUNCING UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN MY 2004 GRAND PRIX GTP W/COMP G.THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING TO BOTH ME AND THE OTHER CARS TRAVELING TOWARDS ME. GM DOES NOT SEEM TO CONCERNED BUT, EVIDENTLY THEY ARE NOT THE ONES DRIVING THE CAR. THERE HAS BEEN NO ACCIDENT, I JUST FILLED OUT THE INCIDENT DATE SO I COULD PROCEED TO THE NEXT PAGE. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041591 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)

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.

Consequence: IF ENOUGH FLUID LEAKS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE LOWER THAN NORMAL, AND STOPPING DISTANCES WILL BE LONGER. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A CRASH 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.

Reported: 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)

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.

Consequence: DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

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.

Reported: 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE FRONT FRAME REAR BODY MOUNT BRACKET MAY FRACTURE.

Consequence: IF IGNORED, THE BRACKET WOULD FRACTURE AND DEGRADE TO THE POINT WHERE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT COULD SEPARATE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

Reported: 2005-02-09 (February 9, 2005)

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.

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, GREATER BRAKE PEDAL FORCE AND A LONGER DISTANCE MAY BE REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

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.

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.

Reported: 2015-04-06 (April 6, 2015)

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.

Consequence: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.

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.

Reported: 2015-10-26 (October 26, 2015)

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.

Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

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.