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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

53 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

150,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, BOTH TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (DURAND CHEVROLET, 223 WASHINGTON ST, HUDSON, MA 01749, 978-310-1243) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, BOTH TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (DURAND CHEVROLET, 223 WASHINGTON ST, HUDSON, MA 01749, 978-310-1243) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11118571

37,000 miles · May 7, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

EVERY YEAR THAT WE FIX THE INTAKE VALVE ON THE CAR NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON AND IT WILL BE THE SAME INTAKE VALVE. THIS CLOGS ALL THE VALVES IN THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO SOMETIMES IT'S SLOW OR CUT OFF. CAR WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS EVEN AFTER YOU FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND NOT…

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EVERY YEAR THAT WE FIX THE INTAKE VALVE ON THE CAR NOT EVEN A MONTH LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON AND IT WILL BE THE SAME INTAKE VALVE. THIS CLOGS ALL THE VALVES IN THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE CAR TO SOMETIMES IT'S SLOW OR CUT OFF. CAR WILL NOT PASS EMISSIONS EVEN AFTER YOU FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THIS ISSUE AND THEY STATE THAT IT'S NOT AN ISSUE. ALSO THE BLINKERS WILL STOP WORKING YOU HAVE TO HIT THE HAZARDOUS BLINKERS FOR THE BLINKERS TO START WORKING AGAIN THIS COULD CAUSE A REAR-END ACCIDENT I ALSO TOLD THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY ARE NOT WANTING TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11092248

100,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE HIS HANDS TO SIGNAL WHEN MAKING TURNS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE HIS HANDS TO SIGNAL WHEN MAKING TURNS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11083260

167,000 miles · Nov 8, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HAZARD LIGHTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 167,000.

NHTSA ODI #10925032

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2016
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY WORKED. AT TIMES, WHEN THE CONTACT NEEDED TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL, THE FUNCTION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. MORE THAN ONE DEALER SPECULATED THAT THE FAULTY HAZARD SWITCH MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY WORKED. AT TIMES, WHEN THE CONTACT NEEDED TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL, THE FUNCTION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. MORE THAN ONE DEALER SPECULATED THAT THE FAULTY HAZARD SWITCH MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10860356

145,000 miles · Mar 22, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES CAN PRESS HAZARD BUTTON TO ACTIVATE TURN SIGNAL FOR A MOMENT. POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER AT ONCE WITH NO WARNING. HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS BROKE OFF (CRUMBLED INTO PIECES), CAN NO LONGER ADJUST HEADLIGHTS WHICH CAUSES A DANGER WITH REDUCED VISIBILITY AT NIGHT PARTNERED WITH THE…

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TURN SIGNALS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, SOMETIMES CAN PRESS HAZARD BUTTON TO ACTIVATE TURN SIGNAL FOR A MOMENT. POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER AT ONCE WITH NO WARNING. HEADLIGHT ADJUSTERS BROKE OFF (CRUMBLED INTO PIECES), CAN NO LONGER ADJUST HEADLIGHTS WHICH CAUSES A DANGER WITH REDUCED VISIBILITY AT NIGHT PARTNERED WITH THE INTERMITTENT TURN SIGNALS THIS CAUSES QUITE THE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10851133

131,000 miles · Sep 28, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE IGNITION KEY WAS ENCOUNTERED AND FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE IGNITION KEY WAS ENCOUNTERED AND FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD NO CONNECTION TO THE STARTER. AS A RESULT, THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ; UPDATED 4/10/18 *JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10778269

100,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingCrash

MY CONCERN IS ABOUT MY FUTURE SAFETY IN MY PONTIAC GRAND AM. SINCE THESE RECALLS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT I HAVE CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS CAR WILL BE ON THE LIST. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION THREE TIMES LAST REPLACEMENT WAS IN 2011, I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN THE REPLACEMENTS TOOK PLACE MY CAR HAD FAILED TO START AND I WASN'T DRIVING,…

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MY CONCERN IS ABOUT MY FUTURE SAFETY IN MY PONTIAC GRAND AM. SINCE THESE RECALLS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT I HAVE CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS CAR WILL BE ON THE LIST. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY IGNITION THREE TIMES LAST REPLACEMENT WAS IN 2011, I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN THE REPLACEMENTS TOOK PLACE MY CAR HAD FAILED TO START AND I WASN'T DRIVING, HOWEVER IN JAN OF 2014 WHEN DRIVING DURING A SNOW STORM TRYING TO GET HOME, MY CAR HIT AN ICE PATCH AND SLIDE INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE IMPACT WAS SO HARD THAT IT DAMAGED AND BENT MY LEFT SIDE BUMPER, BREAKING THE HEADLIGHT TO PIECES. TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT THE BUMPER REQUIRED TO BE PULLED OUT AND STRAIGHTEN. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT, EVEN THOUGH I HIT MY HEAD ON THE HEADLINER, AND THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS OF VA, HOW FAST WAS THE CAR GOING, I AM NOT SURE BUT I CAN GUESS IMPACT WAS ABOUT 20/25 MPH. EVEN THOUGH THE POLICE DID COME (ONLY BECAUSE THEY WITNESS THE INCIDENT) NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS CAR TO BE RECALLED AND SURE ENOUGH ITS ON THE LIST AS OF JULY 3 2014. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A LETTER ON THE RECALL, NOR DOES IT SHOW UP ON THE CARS VIN. THE ROADS IN MY LOCATION ARE MOUNTAIN ROADS WITH CURVE AFTER CURVE AND UP AND DOWNS, ALTHOUGH THE SPEED LIMITS ARE REDUCED IN ORDER TO DRIVE SAFELY, MY WORRY IS THAT IF I LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, I WILL BE GOING DOWN THE SIDE OF SOME MOUNTAIN. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER FOR HELP, AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS NOT ON THE VIN# THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. I ALREADY KNOW MY AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK, I ALREADY KNOW I HAVE HAD IGNITION PROBLEMS, SO IF THE IGNITION STOPS WORKING, THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF THIS CAR MAKE AND MODEL IS ON THE NHTSA LIST WHY CAN'T I GET IT FIXED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614937

89,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

MY VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING PROPERLY LAST YEAR, SOMETIMES THEY WOULD WORK, SOMETIMES NOT, I SPENT $200 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THE ISSUE, THERE IS NOW A TICKING NOISE IN THE SAME AREA AND I'M READING ONLINE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE 100'S ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE TICKING NOISE MAKES MY CAR NOT ONLY UNBEARABL…

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MY VEHICLE'S TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING PROPERLY LAST YEAR, SOMETIMES THEY WOULD WORK, SOMETIMES NOT, I SPENT $200 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THE ISSUE, THERE IS NOW A TICKING NOISE IN THE SAME AREA AND I'M READING ONLINE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE 100'S ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THE TICKING NOISE MAKES MY CAR NOT ONLY UNBEARABLE TO DRIVE/ RIDE IN BUT MAKES ME UNCERTAIN WHETHER MY TURN SIGNAL IS ON OR NOT. I'M CONSTANTLY DISTRACTED BY DRIVING TO CHECK MY TURN SIGNALS AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. GM'S WEBSITE WAS NOT HELPFUL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578782

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.