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 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. …
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. …
Pontiac oil leak recall I bought a Pontiac Grand Prix. I was driving it home one day when I looked in the mirror and saw smoke so I pulled over as soon as I could. I had an issue with rpms falling as I was trying to find a safe place to pull off the highway. Upon stopping the vehicle the vehicle turned off on its own. I hopped out and when I opened the hood. Thier was a fire that was going under the hood of my car. I put it out as fast as I could. Upon it going out I was able to see that the fire was started by an oil leak. The fire did a fair amount of damage and has caused me to lose my job by me not being able to get to work. I recieved the recall notice about the oil leak 4 months after I had purchased it and after the recall caused the loss of my vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and the contact noticed smoke underneath the hood. The contact opened the hood and found the engine in flames. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed . The police were at the scene, but did not know of any police report filed. The contact sustained a minor burn that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed by a private towing company. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V400000 (electrical system) and 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and planned to investgate. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed fire coming from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired and was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V201000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 55 MPH, the engine stalled. The vehicle spun out uncontrollably and crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained injuries to the neck, back, and both legs. The front passenger sustained injuries to the neck and both legs. The rear passenger sustained injuries to the back and both legs. The rear passenger sustained injuries to the back and neck. Medical attention was required for three occupants. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The contact believed the crashed was related to the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
It caught on fire while parked in driveway. I had just got back from the store, about a 6 mile trip, when it happened. I had been home less 5 minutes when I noticed flames coming from under the hood. We tried putting it out but it was too late. The car was in good running order and didn't show any signs at all that there was an issue. No system warnings went off, it was recently serviced. The car ran perfect everyday. I then learned of the recall on it but was never notified of recall. It was registered in my name. When I got out of my car moments before there was no evidence of a fire. No noise, or smoke, or chance in how it ran. It had never caught on fire before or showed sign of issues. All gauges read normally.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. After the vehicle was turned off, a strong burning odor emitted inside the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed smoke and flames underneath the hood. The contact extinguished the flames. The fire department arrived and confirmed the fire was contributed to the engine oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 260,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at various speeds, smoke appeared from the front of the vehicle without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V701000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
I pulled up to a friends house, go inside, and 5-10 minutes later we hear a loud boom! So we look at each other wondering what caused it. We look outside and the car was engulfed in flames. The fire department ruled it as and electrical fire. I had the car only 34 days and it is now totaled! After all the excitement I did some research on the vehicle and came across similar stories, the GM crisis dealing with a large number of recalls. I also found that my vehicle is on the recalled list! A local dealership sold me the car and it is under recall what can I do about this?
Related recalls
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.
Engine complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 136 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, 30% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is engine (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-701 (manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Oct 26, 2015); NHTSA recall 15V-201 (engine, Apr 6, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 124,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 44 fires and 8 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.