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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

Steering complaints

15 reports
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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

170,000 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteeringCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A SNOWPLOW. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A SNOWPLOW. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE DRIVER DID NOT RECEIVE ANY INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10967133

Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2016
EngineSteeringUnknown Or Other

KEEP HAVING TO CHANGE IGNITION SWITCH AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10849666

170,000 miles · Mar 4, 2015
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringCrash

DRIVING MY 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM HOME FORM GROCERY SHOPPING AND TRIED TO GET INTO LEFT HAND TURN ONLY LANE, BUT CAR WOULDN`T SLOW DOWN AND I DIDN`T WANT TO REAR END THE PERSON AHEAD AS THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC THAT DAY SO I VEERED TO THE RIGHT TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT TO PULL MY EMERGENCY BRAKES, BUT WAS BROAD SIDED. I HAVE O…

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DRIVING MY 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM HOME FORM GROCERY SHOPPING AND TRIED TO GET INTO LEFT HAND TURN ONLY LANE, BUT CAR WOULDN`T SLOW DOWN AND I DIDN`T WANT TO REAR END THE PERSON AHEAD AS THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC THAT DAY SO I VEERED TO THE RIGHT TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT TO PULL MY EMERGENCY BRAKES, BUT WAS BROAD SIDED. I HAVE OVER $2,300.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH ON THE 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM, AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THAT WHEN THE RECALL WAS DONE REGARDING THE IGNITION. ALL THAT WAS DONE FOR ME WAS A PLASTIC INSERT WAS ADHERED TO MY IGNITION KEY. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS AND REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCHES. THEY ALSO OWE ME A LOT IN REPAIRS DONE TO MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10692145

Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2014
SteeringCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT IT AND WERE T-BONED IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH IS WAS STATED AS ROAD CONDITIONS, BUT WITH THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT A LOT OF STUFF USED TO HANG FROM THE KEY CHAIN, WE ARE NOW WONDERING IF THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATI…

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THE VEHICLE WENT SIDEWAYS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT IT AND WERE T-BONED IN THE DRIVERS DOOR. AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH IS WAS STATED AS ROAD CONDITIONS, BUT WITH THIS RECALL AND THE FACT THAT A LOT OF STUFF USED TO HANG FROM THE KEY CHAIN, WE ARE NOW WONDERING IF THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654995

125,000 miles · Oct 8, 2014
Electrical SystemSteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #10643416

100,000 miles · Jul 3, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN, WHICH LOCKED UP THE STEERING COLUMN, MANY TIMES THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEREFORE IT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10608021

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2014
SteeringSuspensionCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE COASTED ALONG 3 LANES, IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS SHOULDER AND NECK. THE CONTACT WAS TAKE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM . THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SUDDENLY THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE COASTED ALONG 3 LANES, IT FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN IT CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS SHOULDER AND NECK. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO A NEAR BY HOSPITAL TO BE TREATED FOR HIS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUSPENSION WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10593706

4,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014
EngineService BrakesSteering

IGNITION KEY CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE DISABLED. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE AND THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. NO CRASH HAS EVER OCCURED BECAUSE THERE IS STILL SOME MINIMAL FUNCTIONALITY TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEN THE KEY SHUTS OFF. HOWEVE…

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IGNITION KEY CAUSED ENGINE TO TURN OFF WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE DISABLED. I STILL OWN THE VEHICLE AND THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. NO CRASH HAS EVER OCCURED BECAUSE THERE IS STILL SOME MINIMAL FUNCTIONALITY TO THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEN THE KEY SHUTS OFF. HOWEVER, MY WIFE HAS DRIVEN MY CAR AND LUCKILY HASN'T HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. I'M AFRAID THAT SHE WOULD LACK THE BODY STRENGTH NECESSARY TO HANDLE THE STEERING AND BRAKES. AT TIMES, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART WITH THE CAR STILL IN MOTION, BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND COME TO A STOP WHILE TRYING TO RESTART AT THE SAME TIME. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568509

95,000 miles · May 31, 2011
SteeringFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE CLICKING SOUND WAS CONSTANT, SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE CLICKING SOUND WAS CONSTANT, SMOKE WAS EMITTED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10403870

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.