2004 Pontiac Grand AM problems
NHTSA has received 402 complaints about the 2004 Pontiac Grand AM, and 36% of them involve electrical system. After that come lighting (15%) and engine (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 402 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 34 and 10
- Injuries and deaths
- 24 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 81,000 miles 298 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 35 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 25 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 47 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 39 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 33 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 39 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 31 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 15 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 21 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 10 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Among the 298 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 81,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 92,000 miles (109 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 34 complaints mention a crash; 10 complaints mention a fire; 24 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2004 ranks 10th most-complained-about out of 16 model years of the Pontiac Grand AM with enough data (179 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The vehicle went sideways and they were unable to correct it and were t-boned in the drivers door. At the time of the crash is was stated as road conditions, but with this recall and the fact that a lot of stuff used to hang from the key chain, we are now wondering if the car shut off and they were unable to correct the situation.
A 2004 pontiac grand am, driving eastbound on dirt road. Driver came around a curve on dirt road and had sudden loss of control of vehicle. Driver described wheel being torn out of his hands with loss of control. Vehicle then rolled onto its side. While vehicle was up on its side, it was noted that driver's side rear suspension bolt was broken.
Dt: the contact's vehicle was involved in a side impact accident and the front airbags deployed. Due to the sudden airbag deployment the contact sustained burns to her hands. Both she and the passenger were wearing seat belts. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle incurred extensive damage. The insurance company took possession of the vehicle for inspection.
Second complaint regarding the turn signal electrical problem. This problem is a result of a defective multifunction switch and is present in other years of the grand am as well as other GM vehicles. In researching this problem I have learned that it is not a matter of "if" it will happen to your pontiac but rather "when" it will happen. My pontiac was repaired janurary 18, 2008.
During traffic my 2004 pontiac grand am just shut itself off! Moments before I did hit a pothole. Suddenly, the lights in dash illuminated, bells sounded, and my key independently moved from the on position to off. I lost power steering, brakes. The car slowed to a stop. I called 911 in desperate fear of being hit.-car wouldn't restart, key wouldn't come out of ignition. I became angered and pounded on the ignition area and near the radio. The car then was able to respond and turn on.