2004 Pontiac Grand Am Problems, Recalls & Reliability

402 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 30/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 83,000 miles.

402Complaints
30/100Trouble index
4Recalls
83,000Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2004 sits among all Grand Am years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Electrical 204 complaints (51%) · typically ~83,000 miles
“The ignition system or sensor doesn't work.some time it want start.after waiting for the security light quick flashing it will start sometime.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Grand Am
Engine 29 complaints (7%) · typically ~100,500 miles
“Smell of gas under hood while car is not running. I just bought the car used and would like to know if the recalls that were for this car have ever been done.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2004 Grand Am
Airbags 21 complaints (5%) · typically ~90,425 miles
Other 21 complaints (5%) · typically ~100,000 miles
Body & structure 20 complaints (5%) · typically ~54,000 miles
Brakes & stability 19 complaints (5%) · typically ~81,000 miles

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 290 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 83,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 49,643 and 120,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls (4)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14V400000 2014

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.…

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.…

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 09E012000 2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY…

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 07E021000 2007

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN…

Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 04V301000 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK THAT DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. A WELD ON THESE FUEL TANKS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

Technical service bulletins

446 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2004 Grand Am TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2003peak 63 in 20142021

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?

The 2004 Pontiac Grand Am drew 402 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 30/100, scored against the model's worst year (1999).

What are the most common 2004 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

The top reported problems for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am are electrical (204 complaints), engine (29), and airbags (21).

At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Grand Am problems show up?

Owners most often report 2004 Pontiac Grand Am problems around 83,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 49,643 and 120,000 miles.

Does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am have recalls?

4 recall campaigns apply to the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.

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Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.