CAR RUNS GREAT SHUT IT OFF NEXT MORNING WON'T START WANTS TO BUT WON'T THAT WAS THE 1ST INCIDENT THE 2ND TIME ISHUT IT OFF GO TO START BACK UP AN HALF HOUR LATER AND DOES SAME THING CHANGED EVERYTHING AGAIN STILL DOESN'T WORK TRIED RESETTING THE COMPUTER MYSELF STILL DIDN'T WORK.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
293 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STARTER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED NORMALLY AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STARTER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE AND SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED NORMALLY AFTER TEN MINUTES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,191.
MY DAUGHTER WENT TO START HER PONTIAC GRAND AM 2004. IT WOULD NOT START, AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IN DASH WAS FLASHING. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 1 AND HALF HOURS. IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE 2 TIMES, AND ONCE WHEN I ACCOMPANIED HER TO FILL UP FOR GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH ME DRIVING HER CAR IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS. …
Read full complaint
MY DAUGHTER WENT TO START HER PONTIAC GRAND AM 2004. IT WOULD NOT START, AND THE SECURITY LIGHT IN DASH WAS FLASHING. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IN 1 AND HALF HOURS. IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE 2 TIMES, AND ONCE WHEN I ACCOMPANIED HER TO FILL UP FOR GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITH ME DRIVING HER CAR IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS. AND HAS HAPPENED ATLEAST ONCE A WEEK WITH MY DAUGHTER THE PAST 4 MONTHS. I FOUND OUT ON LINE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE PONTIAC THE CAR DOES NOT START, NOT EVEN A CLICK. THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES. READING UP ON THIS. YOU HAVE TO TURN THE KEY ON AND WAIT APPROXIMATELY 10 LONG MINUTES. IN THE COLD AND HEAT. MY DAUGHTER IS A NEW DRIVER, AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS KNOWN GM PROBLEM. IF IT STALLS OR DOES NOT START AND AN EMERGENCY ARISES. NOW SHE HAS TO WAIT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR ANYONE, LET ALONE A YOUNG DRIVER. GM NEEDS TO OWN UP AND FIX THIS ISSUE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER LOCKED ALL OF THE DOORS AND CLOSED ALL OF THE WINDOWS. WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT WENT OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER LOCKED ALL OF THE DOORS AND CLOSED ALL OF THE WINDOWS. WHEN THE SECURITY LIGHT WENT OFF, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
IF YOU HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH YOUR IGNITION BEFORE OR AFTER THE KEY RECALL AND HAVING TO PAY FOR A. NEW IGNITION BECAUSE OF A BANDAID OF A FIX. EMAIL ME AND SEE IF WE CAN GET HELP FROM AN ATTORNEY. EMAIL [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
FOR OVER A YEAR, MY STARTER DOES NOT TURN THE CAR ON WHEN MY FACTORY KEY IS INSERTED. IT TAKES MULTIPLE TRIES FOR THE CAR TO START. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES STARTS, THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND THAT LASTS FROM 5 MINS. TO 5 HOURS. IS THIS A HAZARD?
SMELL OF GAS UNDER HOOD WHILE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR USED AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THE RECALLS THAT WERE FOR THIS CAR HAVE EVER BEEN DONE.
PONTIAC GRAND AM 2004 - THE VEHICLE'S SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE IS ALSO A WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATES THIS AND INCONSISTENTLY BY LIGHTING "SECURITY." WHEN THIS SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING, THE CAR WILL NOT START AND IS COMPLETELY DISABLED / IMMOBILE. THIS CAUSES MANY FACTORS SUCH AS NO USE OF NECESSITIES…
Read full complaint
PONTIAC GRAND AM 2004 - THE VEHICLE'S SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. THERE IS ALSO A WARNING LIGHT THAT INDICATES THIS AND INCONSISTENTLY BY LIGHTING "SECURITY." WHEN THIS SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING, THE CAR WILL NOT START AND IS COMPLETELY DISABLED / IMMOBILE. THIS CAUSES MANY FACTORS SUCH AS NO USE OF NECESSITIES LIKE HEAT, IF YOU WERE IN DANGEROUS COLD TEMPS. YOU CAN NOT GET AWAY FROM A DANGEROUS OR POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATION. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD AND SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FIXED BY GM. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY, MANY OTHER OWNER'S OF THE SAME MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS NON-STARTING OF THE CAR CAN ONLY BE OVER RIDDEN BY TURNING THE KEY TO THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES. THEN THE SYSTEM WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START. I RECENTLY HAD A RECALL PERFORMED ON MY CAR "UNINTENDED KEY ROTATION" 14350 THIS RECALL DOES NOT DEAL WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. BUT I THINK IT IS RELATED BECAUSE SINCE THAT RECALL WAS COMPLETED IT CAUSED MY SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM TO FAIL MORE OFTEN. IN CONCLUSION I BELIEVE GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR "FAULTY SECURITY PASSLOCK SYSTEM." *TR
GOT KEY FOB RECALL DONE, NOW THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT ACCEPTING THE KEY AT ALL MAKING IT VERY HARD TO TURN THE KEY TO ON AND START POSITION AS IF THE SWITCH IS IN LOCK POSITION BEFORE DRIVING. AFTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A BIT THE IGNITION SWITCH SHUTS THE CAR OFF MAKING ME HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROA…
Read full complaint
GOT KEY FOB RECALL DONE, NOW THE IGNITION SWITCH IS NOT ACCEPTING THE KEY AT ALL MAKING IT VERY HARD TO TURN THE KEY TO ON AND START POSITION AS IF THE SWITCH IS IN LOCK POSITION BEFORE DRIVING. AFTER DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A BIT THE IGNITION SWITCH SHUTS THE CAR OFF MAKING ME HAVE TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NOT ONLY FOR MY CAR BUT FOR ALL PONTIACS LIKE MINE THAT ARE 2004 AND UP. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR AN ACCIDENT IF ITS NOT FIXED. I DRIVE SAFE AND HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FIGHT WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH TO TURN MY KEY TO START POSITION. ANOTHER THING TO GET FIXED, THE TRACTION LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY IN REVERSE AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE CAR IS PARKED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Official recalls
214V400000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration