2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe steering complaints - clunking or clicking from the steering column and, in some cases, sudden loss of power assist. A second group of complaints centers on oil leaking onto hot exhaust parts and engine-compartment fires, and a third on ABS and traction-control warnings with unusual brake behavior. Reports span a wide mileage range, from nearly new cars to vehicles well past 150,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Oil leaks onto hot exhaust and engine fires

   • 101 complaints (22%)
   • median 126,000 mi at 11.5 yrs old (81 state mileage)
   • 60 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2025

   Complaints describe oil leaking from the valve covers or intake area, a burning smell, and smoke from the engine bay; a number report the vehicle catching fire while parked or shortly after being driven. Some owners say a valve-cover recall repair was performed but leaks and smoke continued afterwards, and others say their vehicle was not covered by the recall. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 160,000 miles, and several fires occurred with the engine off, minutes to hours after parking.

   Recall 15V7010002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look for oil residue and a burning smell around the valve covers, intake and exhaust manifold, and check the oil level regularly. Ask whether recall 15V701000 was completed and whether any leak has returned since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Oil leak due to faulty valve covers/gasket on engine which results in burning smell and loss of oil quickly. Per mechanic report, leaking valve covers and intake gaskets . This has been confirmed by 2 different mechanics. We have been told that our VIN was not included in 2 recalls for this same type of problem even though the recall has been on the same year make and model.”

   NHTSA complaint #11175119, filed 2019-02, 65,000 miles

   “The spout where you put oil into the engine is directly over the manifold, when driving the oil low light came on so when putting oil into the engine some dripped down onto the manifold caught fire it is the 3800 v6 series non supercharged, after speaking to a local dealer ship most models have a spout that when oil is spilled it directs it over the manifold. My vehicle did not have one luckily my vehicle was saved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10444754, filed 2012-01, 126,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Steering clunk, click or stiff and lost assist

   • 49 complaints (11%)
   • median 47,000 mi at 4.0 yrs old (41 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2020

   Complaints describe a clunking or clicking noise from the steering column when turning, and in some cases the wheel becoming hard to turn or losing assist in one direction. Several owners say the intermediate shaft, rack and pinion, or power steering pump was replaced, sometimes more than once, and that the noise or stiffness returned. Some report the dealer could not find a permanent fix. Reported from a few hundred miles up to about 220,000 miles, with many under 100,000; no clear seasonal pattern.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Turn the wheel slowly while parked and at low speed and listen for clicks or clunks, and check for uneven effort left versus right. Ask whether the intermediate shaft or rack and pinion has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2004 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp. 45,000 miles. As of today, I have had this vehicle in service eight times for steering-related defects, beginning two weeks from the date of new purchase in january, 2004. Three different dealers have all told me it's a design defect...there will be a fix soon . Replaced rack and pinion twice, middle steering shaft twice, and rack/pinion and engine cradle bolts spontaneously work loose every 3,000-5,000 miles. Now vehicle is out of warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10171539, filed 2006-10, 100 miles

   “After three trips to the Pontiac dealer, my problem with steering system has not be corrected. The car makes a loud grinding sound when turning right at low speeds. Also, when going over multiple bumps, it feels as if the steering wheel is disconnected from the car. I do not feel confident driving this vehicle --- especially when general motors tells me that there is no fix for this problem but has acknowledged a steering system problem on 2004/05/06 Grand Prix's, chevy impalas and buick lacrosse's.”

   NHTSA complaint #10152490, filed 2006-03, 16,522 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   ABS and traction lights with odd brake feel

   • 68 complaints (15%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (52 state mileage)
   • 17 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2021

   Complaints describe ABS and traction-control warning lights coming on, sometimes with a hydraulic noise and a pedal that feels hard or fails to slow the car as expected; a few report the brakes engaging or locking at low speed or while backing up. Dealers have replaced a yaw sensor, and owners say the warnings returned. Reported from about 47,000 to 175,000 miles, often intermittently over months.

   Recall 04V287000Recall 03V331000

   What to check: Watch whether the ABS or traction lights stay on after start-up, and test braking gently at low speed in a clear area. Ask for any stored ABS codes and whether the yaw sensor or brake hydraulics have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The computer system all last year had the wrong dates compared to the day of week it was. When I am driving sometimes and I come to a stop my car slides especially in rain and snow. My ABS light comes up almost always when I'm driving”

   NHTSA complaint #10786895, filed 2015-10, 160,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11341471, filed 2020-07, 175,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Hard starting, stalling and intermittent no-crank

   • 89 complaints (20%)
   • median 88,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (67 state mileage)
   • 23 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $550 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2021

   Complaints describe the engine cranking and then stalling as revs drop, requiring light throttle to keep it running, and intermittent starting problems that dealers attributed to cold weather or could not reproduce. Some say the PCM was reprogrammed or the crank sensor relearned, which owners report reduced but did not always eliminate the behavior. Described across all seasons and a wide mileage range, from under 1,000 miles up to about 78,000 in the reports.

   What to check: Start the car from cold and from hot and see whether it settles into a steady idle without stalling. Ask whether the PCM has been reprogrammed and whether the crank sensor has been checked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “This happen several times driving on freeway 60-70 MPH an engine loss power warning light vehicle. Vehicle started to hesitate will not accelerate over 10-20 MPH. Stalled on the emergency lane. After sitting around 10 mins vehicle started again back and warning light turned off. Arrived at dealership no codes. I cannot afford another vehicle can somebody assist me before I get into an accident with my kids...updated 06/09/14 updated 06/10/2014”

   NHTSA complaint #10576760, filed 2014-04, 125,000 miles

   “When I try to crank car sometimes it cut back off, I have too hold the gas paddle down to get it to crank. This don't happen all the time, but a lot when it is hot.”

   NHTSA complaint #10242519, filed 2008-09, 40,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Ignition switch cutting power while driving

   • 32 complaints (7%)
   • median 100,109 mi at 9.9 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2019

   Owners report the ignition moving out of the run position on its own or the vehicle losing all electrical power while driving, with the engine dying and, in some accounts, airbags not deploying. Several say the recall retrofit was already installed and the problem still occurred. Reported from around 35,000 miles upward with no clear mileage pattern, several at highway speed.

   Recall 14V4000001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition recall 14V400000 was completed and whether the key has been modified. Have the ignition switch and related wiring checked if the car has ever cut out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11216970, filed 2019-05, 143,000 miles

   “Service theft system trips almost every cycle of driving the car has left me and my family stranded couple of times and doesn't leave any codes. Gets up to about 20-30 MPH and dies right away killing the car. Pull over cycle the car a few times and sometimes it'll work fine after that few a few miles and and then does it again. Hazardous to not only me and my family but also to other people on the roads when it does happen!”

   NHTSA complaint #11161854, filed 2018-12, 170,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, check the oil-leak and recall history around the valve covers and exhaust manifold first, then steering and ABS behavior on a test drive, since those come up most in owner reports. Confirming which recalls were completed and getting a pre-purchase inspection covering the ignition switch, brakes and steering is worthwhile on a car of this age.

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.