Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Regular occurrences started at 120K miles, these are all issues which previously complaints have been filed by current 2004 Grand AM owners but have not been corrected and I have called every 6 months filing these complaints. 1) gas fumes are coming in the car when it is running or sitting still idling, 2) blinkers start blinking on their own around 80 degrees f outside temperature, mechanic said it was because grease in steering column becomes thin and shorts out other wiring causing the smoke (fire) which comes from steering column, this occurs every summer to fall when temps are 80 degrees or higher), 3) horn does not work, mechanic replaced horn mechanism but it did not fix the issue & I AM concerned the air bag system won't work either since they are inter twined in the steering column, 4) the dash is warping, cracking and breaking horribly, it causes a sticky haze (gas) on my …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to accelerate on its own. The contact exited the interstate and attempted to brake as the transmission made an abnormally loud sound. The contact pulled into a fuel station, raised the hood, and observed smoke coming from the engine. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact waited a while and then drove home with the brake pedal down to the floorboard. The contact's husband was a mechanic and diagnosed the vehicle, but no failure code was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that all the electrical components remained on and illuminated when the vehicle was turned off and the driver side door was open. The contact stated that the electrical system was supposed to shut off once the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle emitted a fuel odor and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the security warning indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,053. Updated 4/30/15
Was driving normally down road on way to work. Approached intersection and depressed clutch to down shift and apply brake to stop vehicle. However with clutch depressed, the vehicle began to rev up on its own without the accelerator pedal depressed, until it reached the red line. After pumping accelerator about five or six times vehicle stopped revving up. However several miles down the road the vehicle began to rev up again when clutch was depressed to shift gears. This is an ongoing issue, vehicle has been seen by GM dealerships and GM rep but they claim issue cannot be replicated. Multiple parts have been replaced but issue continues. Will a major accident or death be required for this issue to be addressed? …
Dt: while driving in rainy weather it sounded from the right front corner of the car under the hood like something was grinding or abrasion. It sounded like two bearings rubbing against each other. Took the car to the dealer, and they were not able to hear it. The dealer took it for a test drive, lifted it up onto the lift and was not able to hear any noise. Updated 8/14/2006 - the right front tire warped. The brake calipers warped shortly after the vehicle was purchased. Both front rotors had to be replaced due to warpage. The consumer heard noise on the driver's side front end. The dealer replaced the upper strut mount, bearing plate and aligned the front end. The vehicle would lose power while driving. The dealer reprogrammed the engine control module. The master cylinder leaked and had to be replaced. Power steering pump leaked and was replaced. The tramsmission was slipping.
This problem is been happening for a few months and I have taken my Pontiac Grand AM 2004 to different mechanics with not luck..one day driving to work early morning my car sitting for 8hrs didn't want to crank or start...battery was dead so I replace it...my car start but after driving for 15 min while driving engine shut off. Mechanics have check and changed fuel pump and filter,water pump ,crank shaft sensor , temperature sensor,sensor behind alternator,fuel pressure check and regulator is new,thermostat change.I have spend hundreds of dollar between parts and labor.I was really happy with this vehicle but the quality of American cars is something to consider before buying one.if there is any fix known in this site I need to know , I have a family and don't want to loose it in a highway in a accident.
I purchased a car from an individual who advertised a car for sale by stating"ac works heater works" unfortunately within 45 min after purchasing the vehicle I was left stranded on side of the road in extremely high heat due to car dying because it overheated but I wasnt aware of it because it never got hot on temp gauge because I later found out there was no thermostat in the motor.. I was unable to get the seller to answer her phone or return my calls. The ac can't work without a thermostat and heater needs heater core in order to work in which the car hasn't one. I'm stuck with a vehical that I can't drive and the seller was aware of the problems concerning the car but failed to mention anything was wrong with car.
Ignition key caused engine to turn off while car was in motion. Power steering and power brakes were disabled. I still own the vehicle and this has been ongoing ever since I purchased the car. No crash has ever occured because there is still some minimal functionality to the brakes and steering when the key shuts off. However, my wife has driven my car and luckily hasn't had this experience. I'm afraid that she would lack the body strength necessary to handle the steering and brakes. At times, I have been able to shift the transmission into neutral and restart with the car still in motion, but it was very difficult to maneuver and come to a stop while trying to restart at the same time. Please advise.
Engine complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM, 10% of the model year's 293 complaints. The component named most often is engine (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Pontiac Grand AM engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Grand AM engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.