2004 Pontiac Grand Prix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (73) · Electrical System (39) · Steering (35)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Pontiac Grand Prix model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
313 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2015-10-26 · campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: 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 engines 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 c
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2015-04-06 · campaign 15V201000 · 330,742 vehicles
Defect: 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 th
Risk: The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:ignition 2014-07-03 · campaign 14V400000 · 5,877,718 vehicles
Defect: 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, 1998-200
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (510)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-06 · PIT3271P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. general motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. technician s
Showing the 6 most recent of 510 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-21 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 200,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 …”
2021-05-10 · Service Brakes · 229,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand prix. the contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil while driving. the contact stated that occasionally when the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to stop as designed, causing the braking distance to be extended. the contact stated the abs warning light was illuminated. the vehicle …”
2021-04-20 · Unknown Or Other · 109,000 mi“the ignition key gets suck and won't turn and leaves marks on key. sometimes the key won't start the car…”
2020-09-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1 mi“oil leaking ,traction control keeps shutting on and off,evac leak,in motion,smoke and oil stains coming from car. scanner reads misfire needs plugs and wires but just got plugs and wires.…”
2020-07-26 · Service Brakes · 175,000 mi“abs and traction control lights are illuminated. sometimes while braking, a weird hydraulic sound is heard and the brakes dont want to stop the car. the pedal wont go down further unless sometimes you force it and lock up the tires and brakes. no codes are showing for the abs or traction control. been happening sporadically for a year.…”
2020-05-18 · Steering · 200,000 mi“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 mech…”
2020-02-05 · Engine · 239,000 mi“fire department said my car burned up cold in the yard electrical from the fuse box passenger side. the alarm went off i looked outside flames was going thru windshield thru the dash tires was burning called fire dept. 02/04/2020. car is totalled. i never had any issues with the car..it just burst into flames. it had not been driven, engine was co…”
2020-01-09 · Vehicle Speed Control · 176,194 mi · 💥 crash“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 acros…”
2019-05-30 · Electrical System · 143,000 mi“my vehicle ignition turns to on mode when driving and i loose all power. i have already had the recall replaced. this car has died on me several times on the highway, on the streets and just pulling up in my own driveway. i now cant enjoy my car because for me this is a major safety issue. gm should have replaced the entire ignition switch.…”
2019-05-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my left side signal doesn't work my whole left side of my car has a electrical issue back brake like park light signal.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.