Is the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix a bad year?
453 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 135, 4.2× a quiet Grand Prix year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix were filed between 73k and 160k miles. You're at 125,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Grand Prix owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 125,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 131 (29%) | 73k–160k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 106 (23%) | 19k–157k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 50 (11%) | 54k–132k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 33 (7%) | 62k–138k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 28 (6%) | 28k–148k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 18 (4%) | 29k–160k miles · around this mileage | — |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 64 (14%) | 26k–109k miles · mostly behind | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exterior lightingSTANDS OUT | 41 (9%) | 0k–68k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 19 (4%) | 45k–103k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Wheels | 19 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 15 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 12 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 125,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 453 complaints: 46 mention a crash · 58 mention a fire · 33 report an injury · 13 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
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.
Out of no where my engine oil started leaking out , I put more oil in to and watched in run out the car like water.
While parked and adding engine oil, oil and engine caught on fire.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 125,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix: 9
The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak. The leaking engine oil can drip onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a fire.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. 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.
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
A potential material or design defect could result in the steering knuckle breaking in the hub area. A broken steering knuckle could result in loss of steering control and a possible crash without warning.
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, 'accelerator control systems.' if one of the two accelerator pedal return springs fails and the temperature is -22 degrees f to -40 degrees f, the engine may not return to idle within three seconds… If this were to occur, greater brake pedal force and a longer distance may be required to stop the vehicle.
Certain passenger vehicles have a condition where the front frame rear body mount bracket may fracture. If ignored, the bracket would fracture and degrade to the point where the intermediate steering shaft could separate, resulting in loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Certain passenger vehicles were produced with lower than specified torque on both front brake caliper to steering knuckle attachment bolts. With improper torque, the clamp load at the joint may not be adequate to prevent movement between the caliper bracket and knuckle. Depending on whether one or both bolts backs out or fractures, the result can be locking of the affected wheel during braking and an abrupt steering input in the direction of the locked wheel…
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, "Passenger car braking systems." On some of these vehicles, the right rear brake hose fitting may not be tightened properly, and a brake fluid leak could occur. If enough fluid leaks, the brake pedal will be lower than normal, and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Pontiac: 127
Repair instructions Pontiac sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Proper way to install the pistons in an engine
Will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308 and/or P050D
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Unstable headlamps
Neighbouring years
2003 Grand Prix: 106 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2005 Grand Prix: 148 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Pontiac Grand Prix year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · All Grand Prix years side by side
Other Pontiac models: Pontiac Aztek · Pontiac Bonneville · Pontiac G5 · Pontiac G6 · Pontiac G8 · Pontiac GTO · Pontiac Grand Am · Pontiac Montana · Pontiac Solstice · Pontiac Sunfire · Pontiac Torrent · Pontiac Vibe. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix a bad year?
453 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 135, 4.2× a quiet Grand Prix year. At 125,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix were filed between 73k and 160k miles. You're at 125,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (131), electrical system (106), brakes (50), body structure (33), air bags (28). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 73k–160k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
9 recall campaigns list this model year: Exhaust (NHTSA 15V-701), Engine (NHTSA 15V-201), Electrical system (NHTSA 14V-400), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.