Electrical System. Review the 107 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 98 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

46 crash reports58 fire reports33 injury reports

What owners actually said

454 reports

1 miles · Aug 10, 2004

Exterior Lighting

HEADLAMPS SHAKE BADLY EVEN ON A SMOOTH ROAD. THIS MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT IS NOT ONLY ANNOYING AND DISTRACTING TO MYSELF AND OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, BUT IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT A FIX IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL DECEMBER, AND RIGHT NOW IT IS AUGUST.

NHTSA ODI #10086526

10,000 miles · Aug 10, 2004

Service Brakes, Air

AFTER 10,000 MILES MY STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING INCREASINGLY BADLY. I ASSUMED IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH MY TIRES. WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY ROTORS. THEY TURNED THEM AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A WHILE BUT AFTER 20,000 MILES THE SHAKING STEERING RETURNED. I TOOK IT IN AGAIN AND THEY TURNED THEM AGAIN.…

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NHTSA ODI #10086507

10,200 miles · Aug 8, 2004

Steering

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STEERING BECAME LOOSE AND SLOPPY. KNUCKLING AND CLUNKING NOISES FROM STEERING WHEN WHEEL TURNED FROM SIDE TO SIDE. UPON TURNING LEFT, CAR WOULD DRAMATICALLY UNDERSTEER, THEN SUDDENLY OVERSTEER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.*AK . TAKEN TO CROWN PONTIAC IN ST. PETERSBURG, FL. THEY DIAGNOSED "LOOSE RACK AND PINION RETAINING BOLTS AND BUSHINGS". FIX: RE-TORQUED BOLTS. . CONDITION RECURRRED WITHIN 3 DAYS. . CALLED GM, WHO SENT REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. I ASKED THEM WHY BOLTS WOULD WORK LOOSE AFTER 10K MILES, AND WHY THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE BOLTS, OR THEY MAY WORK LOOSE AGAIN. . THEY SAID "IT DEPENDS ON HOW THEY TORQUED THEM" . VEHICLE PRESENTLY IN SERVICE FOR STEERING CONTROL ISSUES FOR SECOND TIME. . THIS CONDITION IS UNSAFE. VEHICLE WILL NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE DOWN THE ROAD, AND WHEN TURNING EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, THE VEHICLE WILL TAKE-OFF IN THAT DIRECTION AND IF NOT CORRECTED, WILL TURN IN A CIRCLE IF NOT CORRECTED BY HARD STEERING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

NHTSA ODI #10086399

14,075 miles · Aug 4, 2004

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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MY COMPLAINT IS NOT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT A CAR - IT IS MONR ABOUT THE COMPANY THAT RENTED ME THE CAR. MONDAY, AUG 2, I RENTED A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX FROM AVIS AT THE BALTIMORE WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL (BWI) AIRPORT. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON THE NORTHBOUND FAIRFAX COUNTY PARKWAY ON THE MORNING OF AUG 3 (NORMAL WEATHER CONDIDTIONS), I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES (SOMEWHAT HARD). THE WHEELS ON THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOCKED UP AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SPIN TOWARDS THE RIGHT. THE CAR DID A FULL 180 TURN THROUGH 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC LANDING ON THE SHOULDER, W FRACTION OF AN INCH AWAY FROM THE GUARDRAIL. *AK I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY. I DID NOT HIT ANOTHER CAR, OR GET HIT BY A CAR OR EVEN SMASH INTO THE GUARDRAIL. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE CAR AND I WAS NOT INJURED. WHEN I RETURNED THE CAR TO AVIS (BECAUSE I NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING IT) THE EMPLYEE BEHIND THE COUNTER MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT A BRAKE RECALL AND WONDERED IF IT WAS THAT MAKE AND MODEL. I FOUND THE RECALL VIA YOUR WEBSITE THIS MORNING. APPARENTLY MY ACCIDENT IS THE EXACT CONSEQUENSE OF NOT GETTING THE RECALL FIXED. I'M APPALLED THAT AVIS RENTED ME A CAR THAT THEY KNEW HAD PROBLEMS AND WAS BEING RECALLED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE. I'M SURE THAT AVIS HAS HUNDREDS OF 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX'S IN THEIR FLEET, SO THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHOSE ATTENTION I SHOULD BRING THIS TOO, BUT I CANNOT IMAGINE ANYONE ELSE ENCOUNTERING THIS INCIDENT AND BEING AS LUCKY AS I WAS TO WALK AWAY UNSCATHED. I'D GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI #10086206

6,500 miles · Aug 3, 2004

Engine And Engine Cooling

SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF THE PULLEYS EVERY 1500 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10086081

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2004

Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A GRAND PRIX GT1 AND HEADLIGHTS SHAKE FROM THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS. I HAVE CARS IN THE ONCOMING LANE FLASHING ME WITH THEIR HIGH BEAMS ALL THE TIME BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10083119

800 miles · Jul 29, 2004

Power Train

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MY CAR STALLED 5 DAYS AFTER I RECEIVED IT. IT WAS ABOUT 40 F OUTSIDE AND I REVERSED SLOWLY AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. IT SHUDDERED AND STALLED. THIS HAPPENED ONCE MORE THE NEXT DAY. ANY TIME THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 60 F THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE. I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT THEY SEEM UNABLE TO FIX IT. I'VE HAD THE PCM RE-FLASHED, INJECTORS CLEANED, AND SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. I HAVE HAD CONTINUED SHUDDERING AT LOW TEMPERATURES BUT NO MORE STALLING SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENTS. THERE IS ALSO A JERKING WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY. WHEN PRESSING THE GAS THE CAR HESITATES AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082933

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2004

Exterior Lighting

THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FAILURE PER SE, BUT IT IS POOR ENGINEERING, I OWN A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS SHAKE ON HITTING BUMPS, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT IT IS DISTRACTING TO OTHER TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING OFFERED FROM GM TO HELP THIS CONDITION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10082827

350 miles · Jul 22, 2004

Structure

WE JUST PURCHASED 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT 2 HAS A HORRIBLE SEMI-CIRCULAR MIRROR LIKE REFLECTION FROM EACH LOWER CORNER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL RIGHT INTO OUR EYES MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO HANDLE THE VEHICLE. IT OCCURS FROM 11AM TO 2 PM FROM THE OVERHEAD SUN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10082463

5,600 miles · Jul 16, 2004

Electrical SystemFire

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD, SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM CENTER OF DASH, PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF IGNITION, EXITED DRIVERS SIDE AND PROCEEDED TO PASSENGER FRONT TO INSPECT UNDER DASH, WHEN GOT TO PASSENGER SIDE (10 SECONDS FROM DRIVER SIDE) COULD SEE FIRE UNDER DASH AND PLASTIC DRIPPING FROM UNDER DASH, GOT AWAY FROM VEHICLE, AND WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES ENTIRE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED BY FLAMES. I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT WITH HEADLIGHTS ON/ NO FOG/S, AND ONLY HAD FAN BLOWING OUTSIDE AIR IN, NO OTHER ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES RUNNING, SUCH AS RADIO, INTERIOR LIGHTS). VEHICLE IS COMPLETE LOSS, AND FIREMAN SAYS THIS WAS WORST CAR FIRE HE HAD EVER SEEN FOR SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. SO FAR INSURANCE COMPANY IS INVESTIGATING, BUT INDICATIONS SHOW ELECTRICAL FIRE POSSIBLY FROM IGNITION SWITCH, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE IN DASH BY HEATER CONTROLS. NO INJURIES OCCURRED W/ VEHICLE FIRE, VERY HAPPY THAT SEAT BELT DID NOT FAIL/STICK. ONLY HAD VEHICLE FOR 5 MONTHS, BOUGHT NEW AT PONTIAC DEALER, 5600 MILES. VEHICLE WAS 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT2 W/ OPTIONAL LEATHER SEATS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10081237

Official recalls

15V701000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Oct 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 & remedy

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 engines 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

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 engines 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

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

15V201000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Apr 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 & remedy

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.

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.

05V046000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Feb 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 & remedy

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.

04V287000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Jun 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 & remedy

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.

04V299000 · Structure:frame And Members

Jun 23, 2004

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

03V331000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

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

DP05010 · Unstable Headlamps

Opened Dec 21, 2005 · Closed Apr 10, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

ODI RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. BRAD LAMB OF THE NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMERS COUNCIL, REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF AN ALLEGED DEFECT EVIDENCED BY SHAKE OR BOUNCE OF THE HEADLAMPS ON MODEL YEAR 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES.ODI'S PREVIOUS REVIEW OF THIS ISSUE IN OCTOBER 2003, DETERMINED THAT IT DID NOT WARRANT INVESTIGATION.ODI'S CURRENT ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED 36 COMPLAINTS IN THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATABASE; AND A DECLINING TREND OF REPORTS WAS EVIDENT.A FEW FIELD REPORTS OF SIMILAR NATURE WERE ALSO SUBMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN ITS EARLY WARNING REPORTING DATA.A SERVICE BULLETIN AND A REVISED HEADLAMP RETAINING BRACKET WERE ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2004, AND THESE ACTIONS ARE SEEN AS APPROPRIATE IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM WHILE ALL OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE STILL COVERED BY THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY.COMPROMISE TO SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED.IT IS UNLIKELY THAT INVESTIGATION WOULD RESULT IN A NHTSA ORDER FOR THE RECALL AND REMEDY OF THIS PROBLEM.