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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 454 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the engine (30% of complaints, typically around 124,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Grand Prix model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Engine
136 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 124,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
This happen several times driving on freeway 60-70 MPH an engine loss power warning light vehicle. Vehicle started to hesitate will not accelerate over 10-20 MPH. Stalled on the emergency lane. After sitting around 10 mins vehicle started again back and warning light turned off. Arrived at dealership no codes. I…
The spout where you put oil into the engine is directly over the manifold, when driving the oil low light came on so when putting oil into the engine some dripped down onto the manifold caught fire it is the 3800 v6 series non supercharged, after speaking to a local dealer ship most models have a spout that when oil…
Electrical
107 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, 12v/24v/48v battery.
In october 2011, I noticed that my a\c & heating fan was working intermittently. After a hard rain, the fan stopped working completely, and I noticed a large puddle of water on the passenger side floor. I decided not to have the blower motor replaced until after I could find the exact location of the water leak. In…
Date display shows correct date but incorrect day. This occurred last year during leap year. It seems like it didn't register the leap year.
Steering
64 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: rack and pinion, column, hydraulic power assist system, linkages.
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. Approximately a year after the repair the failure…
I was driving down a 4 lanes highway heading home at 2:30p.m. As I proceeded to slow down for a red light, all the lighs in the vehicle flashed and then everything went out, including my power steering and brakes. Luckly no cars were to my right and I was able to turn the stiff wheel some and jump a crib. I then had…
Brakes
50 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, conventional, disc.
At low speeds the anti-lock brakes come on and affect braking. This also happens when backing up. This has almost caused at least three accidents!
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact was driving 15 MPH when a grinding noise emitted after the brakes were depressed, and the vehicle lunged forward abnormally. The contact believed the failure was caused by the ABS. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing nor was the…
Lights
41 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 0 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
The headlights are shaking/bouncing around while driving. Manufacturer is aware of the problem, and is providing a temporary solution by tightening the adjuster screw. This causes the headlight beam to aim low, which reduces visibility.
Intermediate drive shaft replaced at 1,500 miles. Power steering pump went at 2,000 miles, had it replaced. Also at 2,000 miles cv joint and boot had to be replace. Headlights bounce while driving over minimal bumps, door panel rattles. Dash above speedometer rattles but dealer can not duplicate so no fix yet. Car is…
Body and structure
33 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
After a rain, both the front and rear passenger side floors are soaked with water. The raised portion under the seat remains dry. The ceiling area around the moon roof is completely dry. The carpeting leading down to the floor (console covering, area below the doors, area under the dash) are all dry. Only the lowest…
When it rains the floor board in the front and back on the passenger side gets soaked. I can not figure out where it is coming from as the ceiling is not wet. It only occurs on the passenger side. It is not just damp but completely soaked with some standing water.
Air bags
28 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact crashed into a tree. The vehicle was destroyed and the air bags failed to deploy. She filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. A police report was filed. The contact was injured and has pictures. The current and failure…
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a wall barrier. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries reported and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact…
Wheels and tires
23 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim, pressure monitoring and regulating systems, tread/belt, hub.
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. All four tires lost tire pressure/air since june 2006. The contact took the vehicle to a gm dealer on several occasions. The mechanic diagnosed the failure to be the cast aluminum wheels that corroded. The wheels were gtp competition group and were standard for this vehicle.…
The chrome wheels ( rims ) are peeling. Went from cosmetic to driveability issue since the peeling chrome has affected the bead and/or valve stem seals. The tires leak copious amounts of air at various rates. Brought car to dealership on july 25. Rims arrived and set appointment for august 6. Four rims with two…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: 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 engineâs 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 s
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: If this were to occur, greater brake pedal force and a longer distance may be required to stop the vehicle.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles have a condition where the front frame rear body mount bracket may fracture.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Unstable headlamps
Summary
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
Questions about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (136 complaints, typically around 124,000 miles); electrical (107 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); steering (64 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 26, 2015 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Pontiac Grand Prix?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Grand Prix model year since 2000, with 454 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.