Your vehicle report
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 454
- Received Sep 2003 to Nov 2025
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Vehicle catches fire from wiring47 complaints · 10% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Headlights dim or fail at night31 complaints · 6.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Airbags fail to deploy in crashes25 complaints · 5.5% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #15V701000General 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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
- Recall #15V201000General 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 June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 46 crashes, 58 fires, 47 people injured, 2 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
- Engine suddenly shuts off while driving
- Unintended acceleration despite braking
- Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips
1 more problem
Brakes
Electrical & lights
1 more problem
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 68 |
| 2005 | 44 |
| 2006 | 29 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 38 |
| 2015 | 46 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 454 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 47 | 10% | – | NHTSA recall #15V701000 |
| Headlights dim or fail at night | 31 | 6.8% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 25 | 5.5% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 22 | 4.9% | – | NHTSA recall #14V400000 |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 19 | 4.2% | – | |
| Anti-lock brakes fail or lock up | 19 | 4.2% | – | |
| Water leaks into cabin during rain | 14 | 3.1% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 13 | 2.9% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 13 | 2.9% | – | NHTSA recall #05V046000 |
| Alloy wheel rims crack and lose air | 12 | 2.6% | – | |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 11 | 2.4% | – | |
| Steering wheel clunks or clicks when turning | 8 | 1.8% | – | |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 7 | 1.5% | – | |
| Power steering cuts out while driving | 7 | 1.5% | – | |
| Tires blow out or tread separates | 6 | 1.3% | – | |
| Brake pedal sinks due to leaking lines | 6 | 1.3% | – | NHTSA recall #03V331000 |
| Suspension clunking or rattling noise over bumps | 6 | 1.3% | – | |
| Vehicle suddenly loses engine power at speed | 6 | 1.3% | – | |
| Seat belt fails to latch or retract | 5 | 1.1% | – | |
| Horn fails with airbag warning light | 5 | 1.1% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #15V701000October 26, 20151,003,556 vehicles affected
engine and engine cooling: engine; 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. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
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. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.
NHTSA recall #15V201000April 6, 2015330,742 vehicles affected
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 June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.
The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
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. The recall began on April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 14574.
NHTSA recall #14V400000July 3, 20145,877,718 vehicles affected
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. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
NHTSA recall #05V046000February 9, 200519,924 vehicles affected
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.
If this were to occur, greater brake pedal force and a longer distance may be required to stop the vehicle.
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.
NHTSA recall #04V287000June 23, 200447,991 vehicles affected
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.
Depending on whether one or both bolts backs out or fractures, the result Can be locking of the affected wheel during braking and an abrupt steering input in the direction of the locked wheel, reduced braking and noise from the affected wheel, or severing of a brake hose, increased brake pedal travel, and reduced steering control. Reduced braking or steering control could cause a crash.
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.
NHTSA recall #04V299000June 23, 2004281 vehicles affected
structure: frame and members
Certain passenger vehicles have a condition where the front frame rear body mount bracket may fracture.
If ignored, the bracket would fracture and degrade to the point where the intermediate steering shaft could separate, resulting in loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
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.
NHTSA recall #03V331000September 12, 200359,528 vehicles affected
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.
If enough fluid leaks, the brake pedal will be lower than normal, and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash 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.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN