Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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!
On February 8, 2019, my mother was pulling into a maintenance garage to get an oil change. Upon pulling into the garage, she was unable to stop and her vehicle lunged forward. As a result, he vehicle hit an employee, went through the maintenance garage door, through the parking lot, across a four lane street, and eventually stopped in a field across the street from the oil change venue. This is an approximate distance of 300 feet. Upon further review by my mechanic, it was discovered the ABS system was malfunctioning causing the brake pedal to drop in the car, and the car not to stop. The wiring harness also was cracked resulting in a cut to the ABS wire, causing the ABS malfunction resulting in the car to not stop, and the electrical malfunction which caused the car to speed forward. General motors was notified, but denied responsibility of this claim.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH downhill, the vehicle stalled and the contact lost all control of the vehicle. The vehicle continued downhill into an intersection, jumped a curb, and crashed into the bushes. The contact sustained neck, leg, and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. The passenger, who was pregnant, was released from the seat belt and thrown from the vehicle. The passenger sustained abdominal injuries that required medical attention and resulted in premature birth. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle, crashed into some leaves, and slid sideways down a hill. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained soreness in the back and knees that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 157,000.
While sitting at a stop light, smoke was coming seen from under the hood. Driver attempted to move vehicle to parking lot. While moving to parking lot, black smoke started coming into the passenger compartment via the air vents. Driver called 911, and fire department was able to contain the fire. The entire engine compartment was involved in the flames, and the car is a total loss. There had been no prior problems with the car.
On Friday May 11 2018 at approximately 8:30 am, my car was parked & shut off in my driveway when I heard a loud "bang" noise. I ran to my window & saw flames & black smoke rolling out from under the hood of my car. It had exploded & caught on fire in less than 1 min after I got out, shut it off, pulled the keys & walked in my home. Fire department & police responded. I have pictures, & filed a fire & police report.
My car was parked turned off . I went into a store and came back out to my car in flames it is destroyed and I am devastated. The fire started under the hood where the engine is the engine is destroyed. Tires burnt up completely undriveable.
I purchased my vehicle, shortly after I brought it in to midas to have it looked at, after I was told extremely bad news that my vehicle had some major problems and it was going to cost a lot of money to fix it but luckily it's under a safety recall for my model make and year, although when I took it in to merit Chevrolet I discussed my concerns with them about my vehicle and how a lot of the things discovered wrong with it, had to do with multiple of the recalls. The conversation got nowhere and they told me that since my VIN number wasn't on the recall that it was impossible for the problems discovered to be related to the recalls I was told were related and that there was nothing I can do, unless I wanted to call GM customer service. …
Related recalls
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.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 107 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, 24% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 18 fires and 12 injuries and 2 deaths to electrical system 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.