CarBrief

The 2004 Grand Am has 293 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1], fewer than most earlier model years[2]. Electrical complaints lead the list, and an ignition switch recall applies to this car[3][4].

293owner complaints[1]
2recalls[2]
21–27MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 293 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 24 mention a crash, 7 a fire and 18 injuries, and 1 reports a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Electrical system[3] 140 92,000
Exterior lighting[6] 53 67,000
Engine[7] 29 100,000
Air bags[8] 21 90,424
Structure[9] 20 51,000
Brakes[10] 19 80,000
Speed control[11] 18 50,000
Steering[12] 15 95,000

Electrical system. This group has 140 complaints, far more than any other[3]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe an ignition that locks up or will not start the car, and some describe the car losing power while driving. Several also mention trouble with the Passlock system. A few describe a turn signal or hazard flasher that clicks on its own[3]. Five of the 140 mention a fire and six a crash[3].

Exterior lighting. In the sample we read, nearly every text is about turn signals or the hazard flasher that clicks, flickers or stops working[6]. The group has 53 complaints at a median of 67,000 miles[6].

Engine. Owners in the sample describe stalling, loss of power or a car that is slow to start. Two describe the engine revving without any pedal input[7]. The group has 29 complaints[7].

Air bags. This group is smaller, with 21 complaints, but it has 13 crashes and 11 injuries[8]. In the sample, owners describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash. Two describe a failing horn contact in the steering wheel[8]. With a group this small, treat the counts as a signal to check, not as a rate.

Steering. The 15 steering complaints include 6 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries and 1 death[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this car[2].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three versions. All run on regular gas and are front-wheel drive[14][5][15].

Engine and transmission City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[14] 21 / 31 / 25 $2,700
2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd[5] 23 / 33 / 27 $2,500
3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[15] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,200

The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings show this car as not rated, for both the 4 door and the 2 door[16][17]. That means there is no star rating to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA data lists a 2.2L 4-cylinder and a 3.4L 6-cylinder[14][5][15]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2 door coupe (GT) 4 door sedan
Length[18][19] 186 in 186 in
Width[18][19] 70 in 70 in
Height[18][19] 55 in 55 in
Wheelbase[18][19] 107 in 107 in
Curb weight[18][19] 3,124 lb 3,071 lb

How 2004 compares with other years

1995: 409 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 450 complaints, 4 recalls19961997: 383 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 172 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 849 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 675 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 538 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 395 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 325 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 293 complaints, 2 recalls29320042005: 102 complaints, 2 recalls2005
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Grand Am model year. The 2004 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954091
19964504
19973832
19981721
19998493
20006755
20015384
20023951
20033252
20042932
20051022

With 293 complaints[2], 2004 has fewer complaints than every other Grand Am model year except two. Only 1998 (172 complaints) and 2005 (102) are lower[2]. The 1999 model year has the most, at 849[2].

On recalls, 2004 has 2[2]. That matches 1997, 2003 and 2005. It is more than 1995, 1998 and 2002, which have 1 each, and fewer than 1996 (4), 1999 (3), 2000 (5) and 2001 (4)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they are a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2004 Grand Am?

The complaint count is on the lower side for this model, but the electrical system still accounts for 140 of the 293 complaints, and these are reports, not a measure of how often parts fail[1][3]. Ask whether the ignition has ever stuck or failed to start the car, and check that the ignition switch recall (14V400) was done[4]. Look at the air bag system too, since that group has a high number of crashes and injuries for its size[8]. The fuel tank recall dates from 2004, so it is fair to ask whether the tank was checked[13]. The car is not rated by NHTSA for crash safety, so you have no star rating to lean on[16][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am?
Electrical problems account for the most NHTSA complaints, 140 of 293[1][3]. Exterior lighting has 53 and engine has 29[6][7].
Does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am have any recalls?
Yes, two. One covers the ignition switch (14V400) and one covers a fuel tank weld (04V301)[4][13].
What gas mileage does a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am get?
The EPA lists 25 combined MPG for the 2.2L automatic, 27 for the 2.2L manual and 21 for the 3.4L automatic[14][5][15].
Is the 2004 Grand Am better than other years?
Only 1998 (172 complaints) and 2005 (102) have fewer complaints than 2004 (293)[2]. Every other model year from 1995 to 2003, apart from 1998, has more. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 293 owner complaints on file for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am (24 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 18 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Grand Am model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 140 complaints name the electrical system component group (6 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 14V400, filed July 3, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Grand Am, 2.2L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 33 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 53 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 29 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 21 complaints name the air bags component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,424). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 20 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 19 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 18 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 15 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 04V301, filed June 30, 2004: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage. NHTSA recall database
  14. EPA rating for Grand Am, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Grand Am, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND AM 2DR COUPE FWD /GT: length 186 in, width 70 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,124 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND AM 4DR SEDAN FWD /SE/SE1/GT: length 186 in, width 70 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,071 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.