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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

18 reports
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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

201,786 miles · Sep 25, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 GRAND AM AND I WAS SITTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON AN HWY AND IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE THAT DAY AND WHEN I LET MY FEET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL MY CAR START TO ACCELERATE BY ITS SELF VERY FAST AND I IMMEDIATELY PRESS MY BREAK TO THE FLOOR AND MY ANTI-LOCK BREAKS KICKED IN AND THE CAR CONTINUED SKID AND ACCELERATE F…

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I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 GRAND AM AND I WAS SITTING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON AN HWY AND IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE THAT DAY AND WHEN I LET MY FEET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL MY CAR START TO ACCELERATE BY ITS SELF VERY FAST AND I IMMEDIATELY PRESS MY BREAK TO THE FLOOR AND MY ANTI-LOCK BREAKS KICKED IN AND THE CAR CONTINUED SKID AND ACCELERATE FAST AND I HAD PUT MY CARS TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND THE MOTOR CONTINUED TO REV EVEN AFTER MY TRANSMISSION WAS IN NERAL. I ENDED UP SKIDDING UP A SIDE WALK TO AVOID A SERIOUS CRASH OR BEING KILLED IN A BAD CRASH. I BELIEVE IT WAS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA ODI #11025278

120,000 miles · Sep 1, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIOLENTLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIOLENTLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 11/07/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING AND NOT DECELERATING/ A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE/BRAKE ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 12/07/16.*JB UPDATED 12/12/16.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10902990

84,854 miles · Mar 25, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

ENGAGED CLUTCH TO START ENGINE/CAR - HEARD POP AND CLUTCH PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. PLASTIC JOINT ON CLUTCH ROD SNAPPED OFF. APPEARS MAY ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY A 40K MILE LIFE ON THIS PART. IF HAD BROKEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MAY HAVE CAUSED CRASH OR INJURY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THIS VE…

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ENGAGED CLUTCH TO START ENGINE/CAR - HEARD POP AND CLUTCH PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. PLASTIC JOINT ON CLUTCH ROD SNAPPED OFF. APPEARS MAY ONLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY A 40K MILE LIFE ON THIS PART. IF HAD BROKEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS MAY HAVE CAUSED CRASH OR INJURY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THIS VEHICLE. PART HAS BEEN REPLACED EACH TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574795

127,918 miles · Jun 28, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS UP TO 2,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN VALVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN SIX WEEKS. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE PCM REM AND THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS UP TO 2,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN VALVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN SIX WEEKS. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE PCM REM AND THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER TO CONTINUES WORKING WITH HER DEALER TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 127,918.

NHTSA ODI #10340349

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

1. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE NORMAL USAGE 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES; AND, WHILE ON A TRIP ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FOUND OUT THE SWITCH WENT BAD 3. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED WAS TOLD THAT THE SWITCH WILL NEED TO BE REP…

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1. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE NORMAL USAGE 2. THE FAILURE, HOW OFTEN IT OCCURS, ITS CONSEQUENCES; AND, WHILE ON A TRIP ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND FOUND OUT THE SWITCH WENT BAD 3. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE; I.E, PARTS REPAIRED OR REPLACED WAS TOLD THAT THE SWITCH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HERE THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE ON MY MODEL. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED 2 MONTHS AFTER THE FACTORY WARRENTY EXPIRED. I DOUBT I WILL BUY ANOTHER GM CAR AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260480

55,598 miles · Feb 24, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

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…

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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 BUT THEY CLAIM ISSUE CANNOT BE REPLICATED. MULTIPLE PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT ISSUE CONTINUES. WILL A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR DEATH BE REQUIRED FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE ADDRESSED? I REALIZE THAT THIS IS PROBABLY NOT STICKING OUT AS A MAJOR ISSUE BECAUSE OF LOW NUMBERS OF REPORTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM, BUT I WOULD IMAGINE THAT SINCE THIS IS PROBABLY ISOLATED TO MODELS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHICH IS A VERY SMALL MINORITY OF VEHICLES. IF THOUGHT ABOUT IN THE FACT THAT THEIR ARE FEW VEHICLES CONFIGURED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE FACT OF THE NUMBER OF REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE MAKES IT MORE SIGNIFICANT SINCE IT WOULD EQUAL A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES WHEN COMPARED TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES CONFIGURED WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259729

50,000 miles · Oct 8, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE IS 2.2L 4 CYL MANUAL TRANS. ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, SLOWING DOWN AND DEPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL TO DOWNSHIFT, ENGINE SPEED RUNAWAY OCCURRED. RPM INCREASED UNCONTROLLABLY PAST 3500 RPM, ONLY WAY TO STOP WAS TO SHUT IGNITION OFF AND RESTART ENGINE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A SERV…

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VEHICLE IS 2.2L 4 CYL MANUAL TRANS. ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, SLOWING DOWN AND DEPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL TO DOWNSHIFT, ENGINE SPEED RUNAWAY OCCURRED. RPM INCREASED UNCONTROLLABLY PAST 3500 RPM, ONLY WAY TO STOP WAS TO SHUT IGNITION OFF AND RESTART ENGINE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A SERVICE SHOP, BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMENDED TO NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS UNLESS DEFINITE DIAGNOSIS COULD BE MADE. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS WITH A COUPLE OF OCCURRENCES ON A WEEKLY BASIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244706

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL, APPLIED BRAKE AND CAR SEEMED TO ACCELERATE RATHER THAN BRAKE. THEN, TURNED INTO SUBDIVISION AND BRAKE PRESSURE WENT AWAY COMPLETELY THEN CAME BACK AFTER FINISHED TURN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10188199

Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2006
Vehicle Speed Control

THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE BOTTOM OF MY STEERING WHEEL HAS COME UNDONE. THE CASE HOUSING AROUND IT POPPED OFF, AND NOW IT WON'T SECURE BACK ONTO IT. THE THREE CONTROL BUTTONS USED FOR CRUISE CONTROL NOW SLIDE OUT, AND THE "ON" BUTTON WON'T STAY PRESSED. THE CAR WORKS FINE, SHORT OF THE FRUSTRATIONS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO USE CRU…

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THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE BOTTOM OF MY STEERING WHEEL HAS COME UNDONE. THE CASE HOUSING AROUND IT POPPED OFF, AND NOW IT WON'T SECURE BACK ONTO IT. THE THREE CONTROL BUTTONS USED FOR CRUISE CONTROL NOW SLIDE OUT, AND THE "ON" BUTTON WON'T STAY PRESSED. THE CAR WORKS FINE, SHORT OF THE FRUSTRATIONS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO USE CRUISE CONTROL, AND HAVING THAT MAJOR EYE SORE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10172032

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.