Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Electrical System — runs 3.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
293Complaints
4Recalls
24Crashes
7Fires
18Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (38.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 3.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Electrical System
112 · 38.2%
Recalled
Recall 14V400000
Exterior Lighting
30 · 10.2%
Recalled
Recall 09E012000
Engine
17 · 5.8%
not available
—
Air Bags
16 · 5.5%
not available
—
Vehicle Speed Control
13 · 4.4%
not available
—
Steering
12 · 4.1%
not available
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 293 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“PASS LOCK ON GRAND AM 2004 SE KEEPS TURNING CAR OFF WHEN RUNNING./WILL NOT START FOR 10 MIN WHEN TRYING TO START.”NHTSA complaint 10283713 — filed 09/11/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON '04 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CAR WON'T START AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. THE TEMP FIX IS TO TURN IGNITION ON FOR…”NHTSA complaint 10277927 — filed 07/22/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“2004 GRAND AM WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND KEY SWITCH REPLACED AND THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START SOMETIMES…”NHTSA complaint 10274176 — filed 06/17/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM?
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 112 of 293 NHTSA complaints (38.2%), followed by exterior lighting (30), engine (17), air bags (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM have?
293 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 24 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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