Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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.
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.
I had the exact model, make and year and my power steering fluid was leaking slowly for appox. 1 month and after driving it 20 miles I parked at house and smelled something I walked 10 feet and heard a loud noise and then hood flew off and the engine was on fire and melted siding off house . I bought another car exactly same model,make yr, my power stearing on this car is leaking exactly the same as my 1sr car but faster leak. I do not drive it at all for over month.
Driving down my familiar road of dutch hills off of dr. 50. I turned my wheel at 27mph. Slid off toward the edge of the road. Fishtailed, maintained composure. Then , began a fishtail to a 180-360 into a concreted steel beamed mailbox. Knocking out my drivers light assembly, front fender, bumper, disabling thehoodof my car, tilting my radiator. Nothing ofthenight should of skinny tires,nor mademefail to maintain my vehicle.
I purchased a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp comp g from rydell automotive (van nuys, ca) on October 24, 2004. In May 2004 the power steering hose had to be replaced due to a fluid leak. August 23, 2004 I had the 30,000 mile service performed (I have a long commute), and that included a service of the power steering system. August 31, 2004 while making a three point turn in a parking lot, I heard a loud pop and lost the ability to control the steering of the vehicle. White smoke poured out from under the hood and filled the passenger compartment (the A/C was on). I turned off the car and opened the hood to see the engine on fire. The fire was extinguished by several large bottles of water and the assistance of a passerby. The car was towed to the rydell dealer in san fernando where it remains un-repaired. …
While driving approximately 30 miles per hour, steering wheel became tight then locked while in motion. I braked immediately fought wheel to park on side of street, same time "charging system failure" notification came on. I plugged diagnostic reader no codes come up. Checked serpentine belt, visual check underhood, nothing out of place. Oil change, tune up and minor work done recently however, this issue was sudden and cannot be detected. Afraid for my life as I regularly take highway for travel. Recalled for code 14574 last week, would really appreciate if local mechanic"simmons-rockwell big flats n.y. Is scheduled to repair code 14574 Tuesday dec.29, at 930 am would appreciate if same mechanic could be compensated to diagnose problem. Said mechanic did repair key code for other recall and only GM dealer in town.
I was driving at a rate of 45 MPH and my steering wheel locked up on me which caused me to go towards in coming traffic luckily the car I was headed towards stopped. I tried to turn my steering wheel back to the right but nothing happened. I had to stop my car in the middle of the road to turn my steering wheel because it was so hard to turn. The gentleman in the other car got out to help me move my car out of the road, and he was able to turn the steering wheel. He told me to turn it off and turn it back on and then I was able to drive it without it locking back up on me that day. Since then I have had it lock up on me while backing out or turning into the parking garage at work on multiple occasions.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated while driving 24 MPH, a clicking sound was heard in the steering wheel. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove to a business parking lot and parked the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the ABS and traction control warning indicators illuminated, the steering wheel tightened, and the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failures recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated that the spring control mechanism failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 5/26/15 updated 9/22/2017
Steering complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 64 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, 14% of the model year's 454 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix, though it has 7 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 Prix steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 2 fires and 12 injuries and 2 deaths to steering 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.