2004 Pontiac Grand AM Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe no-start conditions and intermittent turn signal/hazard switch noise, with a mix of security-system and ignition-key complaints. Complaints span from very low mileage up to well past 150,000 miles, and many describe the problems as intermittent rather than sudden, with dealers often acknowledging the symptom but not offering a repair.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Engine will not start (security/PASS-Key system)

   • 110 complaints (38%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 8.0 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $546 (median of 16 quotes)
   • filed 2004–2020

   Many complaints describe the car failing to crank or start, sometimes with the security light illuminated, and owners saying the vehicle starts only after leaving the key in the on position for about ten minutes. Some report repeated towings and battery replacements before learning that procedure, and a few describe the car stalling while running. According to complaints, dealers have pointed to the passlock/security system or the ignition switch, with repair estimates often quoted but repairs not always performed. Spread from very low mileage (around 12,000) to beyond 180,000 miles; described as random and intermittent.

   Recall 14V4000003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the car several times from cold and check that the security light behaves normally. Ask whether the ignition switch or passlock components have been replaced, and whether recall 14V400000 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle won't start. It doesn't happen every day, just when I'm in a hurry or late for appointment. Called dealership. Funny this is, they knew exactly what to do! Turn the key to the on position and wait 10 minutes. It always starts....for now! I don't understand why GM hasn't recalled this. Also, the dash is warped and putting pressure on windshield. I'll never own another GM vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10507219, filed 2013-04, 40,000 miles

   “My daughter went to start her Pontiac Grand Am 2004. It would not start, and the security light in dash was flashing. This happened 3 times in 1 and half hours. It was parked in front of the house 2 times, and once when I accompanied her to fill up for gas. This has happened 3 times with me driving her car in the past 8 months. And has happened atleast once a week with my daughter the past 4 months. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10746529, filed 2015-08, 95,000 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Intermittent turn signal/hazard clicking or failure

   • 81 complaints (28%)
   • median 76,000 mi at 6.6 yrs old (62 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $410 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2018

   Owners describe a turn signal that clicks or ticks after it has been switched off, sometimes for minutes at a time, and signals that work only occasionally or stop working entirely. Some say the noise sets off on its own or after using the switch, and a few mention pressing the hazard button makes the signals come back. Complaints describe dealers or mechanics identifying the multifunction switch in the steering column as the source, while others say the problem could not be reproduced. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 60,000 to about 130,000 miles, often developing gradually.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the engine running, operate the turn signals and hazards in both directions and listen for continued clicking after cancellation. Ask whether the multifunction switch or hazard switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is an intermittent click from the turn signal, even when I am not operating the turn signal. It may click many times in a row, especially right after I have used the turn signal to either direction. The turn signal light is not flashing nor is the indicator flashing. However the signal indicator noise just continues. The problem is becoming worse with time.”

   NHTSA complaint #10526068, filed 2013-07, 90,210 miles

   “My vehicle's turn signals quit working properly last year, sometimes they would work, sometimes not, I spent $200 out of pocket to fix the issue, there is now a ticking noise in the same area and I'm reading online there should be a recall because 100's are having the same issue. The ticking noise makes my car not only unbearable to drive/ ride in but makes me uncertain whether my turn signal is on or not. I'm constantly distracted by driving to check my turn signals and this is a safety issue. Gm's website was not helpful.”

   NHTSA complaint #10578782, filed 2014-04, 89,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Stalling or loss of power while driving

   • 61 complaints (21%)
   • median 83,969 mi at 6.8 yrs old (50 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $600 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2019

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off at stop lights, during low-speed approaches, or after the key is knocked, with reports of losing power steering and power brake assist at the same time. Some owners connect the shutdown to the ignition key or ignition switch, and others mention the engine dying without warning after normal operation. Repair attempts described include ignition components, a body control module, and a fuel pump, with some saying the problem returned afterward. Mostly reported between roughly 50,000 and 180,000 miles, described as occurring at random rather than under one specific condition.

   Recall 14V400000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch was replaced and whether the car has stalled in traffic; test drive at low speed and over a stop-and-go route, and confirm the key returns freely from start to run.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle is blacking out while driving at a stopping happened once now key does not turn do to ignition lock not being replaced at recall old key get stuck as well as new key if I die driving at least I can say I still like my poniac”

   NHTSA complaint #11099394, filed 2018-06, 138,000 miles

   “Ignition key caused engine to turn off while car was in motion. Power steering and power brakes were disabled. I still own the vehicle and this has been ongoing ever since I purchased the car. No crash has ever occured because there is still some minimal functionality to the brakes and steering when the key shuts off. However, my wife has driven my car and luckily hasn't had this experience. I'm afraid that she would lack the body strength necessary to handle the steering and brakes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10568509, filed 2014-03, 4,000 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Warped or loose dashboard

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the dashboard cover curling, warping, and separating, sometimes pressing against the windshield or sitting loose above the passenger airbag area. Complaints say the material becomes brittle and cracked, and that the deformation can block part of the passenger airbag or rattle while driving. Several owners say they were told the condition was common to the model and that no remedy was offered. Reported from low mileage (around 10,000 to 40,000) upward, with the condition worsening over time.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect the top of the dashboard for lifting, curling, or cracks near the windshield and above the passenger airbag, and check for rattles over rough roads.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Fortunately, my complaint does not involve any deaths, injuries or crashes. My inquires regarding an electrical problem have gone unanswered and before I spend a great deal of money having my dash board disassembled, I am turning to you to see if you have received any related complaints.”

   NHTSA complaint #10215081, filed 2008-01, 59,300 miles

   “I recently purchased my car with the understanding from the dealership that they would fix an air leak in the passenger side rear window. After taking it to them on 4 deferent occasions, the problem was not fixed and I was told that it was a defect in this particular make and model of car and that there was nothing that could be done. I would not have purchased the car if I had known I would have to listen to an air leak. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10137983, filed 2005-09, 14,986 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Reduced power assist in low-speed steering

   • 25 complaints (9%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2017

   Complaints describe the steering feeling heavy or manual-like during parking-lot maneuvers and at idle speed, with one owner reporting a power steering pump was ordered. Others describe the wheel feeling tight when turning at low speed while the car is otherwise moving normally. Some connect steering difficulty to engine shutdown rather than to the steering system itself. Described from very low mileage (a few thousand miles) up to around 130,000 miles, most often during parking or near-idle turning.

   What to check: Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and at idle to feel for heavy or uneven effort, and ask whether the power steering pump or lines have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We own a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. Wondering why it is not included in the GM recall. We have had 3 separate incidents while driving where we lost power and the car was hard to control due to loss of power steering and brakes. My 17 year old son was driving and lucky for us he was in the neighborhood going extremely slow or it could have killed him if he was on a highway going at a higher rate of speed. Doing an internet search turns up hundreds of people having the same problem with their grand ams. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10596493, filed 2014-06, 56,000 miles

   “During low speed manuevers, turning into a parcking space,parrallel parking, when turning at idle speed steering tightens up like it is manual steering. Took to dealership they ordered a new powersteering pump. Car currently has 10,000 miles but has been doing this since new.. Just a little info incase anyone else has had this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10086937, filed 2004-08, 100 miles

Buying note. Check that the ignition switch recall was completed and that the car starts reliably from cold, then test the turn signals and steering effort at low speed. These are older vehicles, so service records showing ignition, switch, and power steering work are worth asking for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.