Most common 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Share of the 454 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Grand Prix complaints by model year
Best Grand Prix years: 2003, 1996, 2005. Years to avoid: 1997, 1998, 2000, 1999, 2004. Compare all years →
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls (7)
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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.
Remedy: 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 engine's front valve cover and gasket.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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…
Remedy: 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.
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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.
Remedy: 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.
Structure › Frame and members
Certain passenger vehicles have a condition where the front frame rear body mount bracket May fracture.
Remedy: 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.
Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Remedy: 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.
Show 1 more recall
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix:
Unstable headlamps
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…
What 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say
Engine & cooling all 136 →
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 towards the dashboard. After stopping and exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed fire underneath the driver's side door, near the rear of the tire extending up towards the dashboard. The contact stated that the fire quickly spread from the engine to the cabin of the vehicle. The Fire Department was called and responded; however, it took a considerable amount of time to extinguish the fire in the engine compartment. The vehicle was subsequently towed from the scene and declared a total loss. A Fire report and Police report were filed. …
GM recall 14574....I was driving with my girlfriend when she notice smoke coming from the air vent! I was parked at a red light then I notice smoke coming from under the hood of my car so I decided to pull over immediately into a half empty parking lot and quickly put my car in park in pop the hood, as soon as I open it flames shot right at me, I quickly shut the hood in told my girlfriend to get out because the car was on fire, I ran to a near by auto body shop in got a fire extinguisher in put the fire out. Mind you this was a week ago and im just now recieving this recall letter. My life was in danger and also my passenger. Iam glad my daughter wasnt in the car when this happen . If I would of got this letter sooner I would of not drove or sent this car to a junk yard in got a new one. …
Electrical system all 107 →
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 towards the dashboard. After stopping and exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed fire underneath the driver's side door, near the rear of the tire extending up towards the dashboard. The contact stated that the fire quickly spread from the engine to the cabin of the vehicle. The Fire Department was called and responded; however, it took a considerable amount of time to extinguish the fire in the engine compartment. The vehicle was subsequently towed from the scene and declared a total loss. A Fire report and Police report were filed. …
My mother was killed in a head on collision in a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. She was traveling south bound on a street called hewitt when her left the lane for no known reason and hit a car traveling north bound head on dying with in seconds of the accident. The police did not know why this happened . There were no skid marks from braking nor gouges nor anything that showed she tried to brake or avoid hitting this car. I had just talked to her 20min before her death. Her left leg was broke as if she had applied great pressure to the brakes and her steering wheel was in a locked position causing her right arm to break. There is no known reason why her seat belt gave away because she was known to wear her seatbelt at all times I received a recall letter a year later about this vehicle but it was to late. My mother had an excellent driving record. This has been a tremendous loss!
Steering all 64 →
My mother was killed in a head on collision in a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. She was traveling south bound on a street called hewitt when her left the lane for no known reason and hit a car traveling north bound head on dying with in seconds of the accident. The police did not know why this happened . There were no skid marks from braking nor gouges nor anything that showed she tried to brake or avoid hitting this car. I had just talked to her 20min before her death. Her left leg was broke as if she had applied great pressure to the brakes and her steering wheel was in a locked position causing her right arm to break. There is no known reason why her seat belt gave away because she was known to wear her seatbelt at all times I received a recall letter a year later about this vehicle but it was to late. My mother had an excellent driving record. This has been a tremendous loss!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at approximately 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not stop. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized, the traction warning indicator illuminated, and all of the gauges on the instrument panel failed. The contact crashed the vehicle into a pole and the engine stalled. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 21 |
| 3.8L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix a good car?
Based on 454 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Grand Prix rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Prix at the same age. It is one of the Grand Prix years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The engine & cooling — 136 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the electrical system (107) and steering (64).
How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, the most recent from October 26, 2015 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Grand Prix?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2003, 1996 and 2005. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1997, 1998, 2000, 1999 and 2004. See the full Pontiac Grand Prix years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 40% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.