Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
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; updated 4/10/18
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. 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, [phone]) 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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand AM se. She stated that the hazard lights would intermittently and rapidly turn on and off. The contact stated there was a burning wire smell when the failure occurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs or diagnostic testing. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure and current mileages were 97,366.
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.
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.
2004 Pontiac Grand AM. Incessant ticking, such as the turn signal that seemed to come from the emergency flasher area on the dashboard. However, quite a few people I had talked to had the same problem that has been fixed with a replacement part in the steering column. The amounts spent varied from a few dollars for a junk yard part, which was still the same manufacturer ,to upwards of $400 for a dealer fix. I AM not replacing a bad part with another potentially bad part from the same maker, nor AM I paying a dealership hundreds of dollars to fix a problem they should be held accountable for. This was apparently a widespread problem that occurred for many years with these vehicles, yet very few of them were actually recalled. As a noted, the ticking began after. While driving)I suddenly saw a small wisp of smoke coming from the steering column. The smoke had an electrical smell. …
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. …
There is a problem with the vehicle not starting all the time. No warning to the problem and it seems that there is no pattern. Also have a turn signal issue, the sound goes on continuously. After some online research I have found the problems to be common. The starting issue has something to do with the security system which I have heard referred to as passlock. Have contacted GM on many levels, in person and over the phone, with no solution that suits me. Charged me $40, to tell me the turn signal would be $300 to fix, or so they say. Have not had an estimate on the ignition problem but have seen what other people have paid and could be between $400 and $1000. To have the part replaced with the same junk from GM. Will never buy another GM vehicle again. It is a shame that our American cars pale in comparison to their foreign counterparts. …
Headlight complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the lights of the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM, 18% of the model year's 293 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Pontiac Grand AM headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.