repaired · 2017 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
2004 Pontiac Grand PrixProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 454 owner complaints about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-400 the manufacturer reports only 22% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 21, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix has problems
454 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
107Electrical system33 crash/fire/injury
98Engine41 crash/fire/injury
64Steering12 crash/fire/injury
41Exterior lighting
41Engine and engine cooling10 crash/fire/injury
33Structure
28Air bags
25Service brakes
21Service brakes, hydraulic
13718 other systems16 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 107 | 33 |
| Engine | 98 | 41 |
| Steering | 64 | 12 |
| Exterior lighting | 41 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 41 | 10 |
| Structure | 33 | 9 |
| Air bags | 28 | 25 |
| Service brakes | 25 | 9 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 21 | 2 |
| 18 other systems | 137 | 16 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2016 Q3
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Electrical system: 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.
no report yet
Vehicle 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.
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
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…
no report yet
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…
no report yet
Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. IF ENOUGH FLUID LEAKS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE LOWER THAN NORMAL, AND STOPPING DISTANCES WILL BE LONGER.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
90kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 77 electrical system complaints. 53% were reported before 100,000 miles.
25under 30k miles41under 100k miles36100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Grand Prix year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Prix median. How we score
'65'66'70'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix safety ratings
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, and the recalls they led to.
- UNSTABLE HEADLAMPSNo recall
In owners' words
What Grand Prix owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the "Low Oil" message was displayed monthly, requiring oil to be added to the engine. While driving at approximately 5 MPH, the contact noticed smoke in the cabin near the floor on the passenger’s and driver’s sides, extending…
OIL LEAKING,TRACTION CONTROL KEEPS SHUTTING ON AND OFF,EVAC LEAK,IN MOTION,SMOKE AND OIL STAINS COMING FROM CAR. SCANNER READS MISFIRE NEEDS PLUGS AND WIRES BUT JUST GOT PLUGS AND WIRES.
FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID MY CAR BURNED UP COLD IN THE YARD ELECTRICAL FROM THE FUSE BOX PASSENGER SIDE. THE ALARM WENT OFF I LOOKED OUTSIDE FLAMES WAS GOING THRU WINDSHIELD THRU THE DASH TIRES WAS BURNING CALLED FIRE DEPT. 02/04/2020. CAR IS TOTALLED. I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR..IT JUST BURST…
Own a 2004 Grand Prix?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.