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2004 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Am years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

223 reports with mileage · 70 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 140 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports7 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

293 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2021
Power Train

NHTSA # 14V400, Mfg. Campaign # N140350 Was informed about this recall and called the number given to me by Pontiac (South County Buick GMC 2202 National City Blvd. National City CA 91950, (619) 477-4462) but all I got was endless automated messages. The one real person I talked to was rude and sounded like she was about to qui…

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NHTSA # 14V400, Mfg. Campaign # N140350 Was informed about this recall and called the number given to me by Pontiac (South County Buick GMC 2202 National City Blvd. National City CA 91950, (619) 477-4462) but all I got was endless automated messages. The one real person I talked to was rude and sounded like she was about to quit her job and gave me a number to call which was the same as the one I started with! This defect is putting my family at risk and the type of non-service I am receiving from Pontiac is truly a disgrace! [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11440526

132,483 miles · Jun 30, 2020
Electrical System

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, I HAVE TO GO THROUGH A TIMELY SECURITY RE-SET PROCEDURE DUE TO THE SYSTEM DISABLING MY ABILITY TO START MY CAR. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH OTHER CAR OWNERS LIKE MINE. THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11331824

130,700 miles · Jul 17, 2019
Air BagsCrash

I WAS THE OWNER OF THE CAR AND SOMEONE ELSE WAS DRIVING AND FILED A CLAIM. I WANT TO KNOW WHY I DID NOT GET ANYTHING IN THE LAW SUIT HER NAME IS [XXX] AT THE TIME SHE LIVED AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11232776

120,000 miles · Jun 27, 2019
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AS THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION, RAISED THE HOOD, AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AS THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A FUEL STATION, RAISED THE HOOD, AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAITED A WHILE AND THEN DROVE HOME WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS A MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11222967

200,000 miles · Jun 18, 2019
Electrical System

I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I TRIED TO START IT SEVERAL TIMES BUT ALL I GOT WAS A CLICK. THE IGNITION ISN'T CATCHING.

NHTSA ODI #11220910

170,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

FUEL SYSTEM RECALL , STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL, HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING CAR AT NIGHT ELETRICAL SYTEM IGNITION RECALL POWER CUTS ON AND OFF

NHTSA ODI #11218215

101,049 miles · May 21, 2019
Air Bags

VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AS IT DID DURING RECALL. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IT. I THEN BOUGHT IT FROM PREVIOUS OWNER WHO DID NOT MENTION THE PROBLEM AS BEING ON A RECALL. WE FOUND OUT BUT DEALER SAYS IT WAS REPAIRED. OBVIOUSLY THE FIX DID NOT WORK AS VEHICLE STILL SHUTS DOWN AND SAYS AIRBAG WARNING. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE WHEN THEY S…

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VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AS IT DID DURING RECALL. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IT. I THEN BOUGHT IT FROM PREVIOUS OWNER WHO DID NOT MENTION THE PROBLEM AS BEING ON A RECALL. WE FOUND OUT BUT DEALER SAYS IT WAS REPAIRED. OBVIOUSLY THE FIX DID NOT WORK AS VEHICLE STILL SHUTS DOWN AND SAYS AIRBAG WARNING. WHAT RECOURSE DO WE HAVE WHEN THEY SAY IT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BUT WASN'T.

NHTSA ODI #11208949

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I GOT A RECALL OF UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION. I TOOK IT IN TO GM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY SAID IT IS FOR THE ORIGINAL KEYS , WHICH I HAVE. BUT MY PLASTIC ON ONE KEY IS BROKE ON ONE SPOT. I TOLD THEM MY IGNITION IS MESSED UP. THE KEY CAN BE PULLED OUT WITH THE CAR STILL RUNNING AND SOME TIMES IT WILL BE TU…

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I GOT A RECALL OF UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION. I TOOK IT IN TO GM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY SAID IT IS FOR THE ORIGINAL KEYS , WHICH I HAVE. BUT MY PLASTIC ON ONE KEY IS BROKE ON ONE SPOT. I TOLD THEM MY IGNITION IS MESSED UP. THE KEY CAN BE PULLED OUT WITH THE CAR STILL RUNNING AND SOME TIMES IT WILL BE TURNED OFF AND KEYS IN MY HAND AND YET IT IS STILL ON. NO ONE EXPLAINED ANYTHING TO ME, EXCEPT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME, THAT IS WAS JUST A PLASTIC PIECE THAT THEY PUT ON THE KEY IN THE HOLE WHERE THE KEY RING GOES. YET I STILL KEEP GETTING THE RECALL IN THE MAIL. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE RECALL?

NHTSA ODI #11206337

231,000 miles · Nov 5, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WALDORF CHEVROLET CADILLAC (2298 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20601, (301) 645-7000), BUT THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE RUBBER COVERING ON …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WALDORF CHEVROLET CADILLAC (2298 CRAIN HWY, WALDORF, MD 20601, (301) 645-7000), BUT THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE RUBBER COVERING ON THE KEY WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 231,000.

NHTSA ODI #11145367

162,000 miles · Sep 11, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER (NEIL HUFFMAN AUTO GROUP, 3810 SPRINGHURST BLVD #310, LOUISVILLE, KY) WAS NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH MODULE WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE LOCAL DEALER (NEIL HUFFMAN AUTO GROUP, 3810 SPRINGHURST BLVD #310, LOUISVILLE, KY) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000. **TR CONSUMER STATED CAR FAILED TO START ON MANY OCCASIONS. ONLINE COMPLAINTS INCLUDE NOT STARTING POSSIBLE IGNITION SHUT DOWN WRITE OPERATING CAR. PASSLOCK CODE FAULTY. VIN IS INVALID UPDATED 10/26/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11128755

Official recalls

2

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 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 & remedy

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.

04V301000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

Jun 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.