Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 89 | 30% |
| Exterior lighting | 30 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 4% |
| Air bags | 12 | 4% |
| Structure | 12 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2% |
| Steering | 6 | 2% |
| Engine | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
NHTSA # 14V400, Mfg. Campaign # N140350 Was informed about this recall and called the number given to me by Pontiac (South County Buick GMC 2202 National City Blvd. National City CA 91950, (619) 477-4462) but all I got
NHTSA complaint: Power train
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, I HAVE TO GO THROUGH A TIMELY SECURITY RE-SET PROCEDURE DUE TO THE SYSTEM DISABLING MY ABILITY TO START MY CAR. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE WITH OTHER CAR OWNERS LIKE MINE. THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS THE OWNER OF THE CAR AND SOMEONE ELSE WAS DRIVING AND FILED A CLAIM. I WANT TO KNOW WHY I DID NOT GET ANYTHING IN THE LAW SUIT HER NAME IS [XXX] AT THE TIME SHE LIVED AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO T
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AS THE TRANSMISSION MADE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD SOUND.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
I PULLED UP TO A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I TRIED TO START IT SEVERAL TIMES BUT ALL I GOT WAS A CLICK. THE IGNITION ISN'T CATCHING.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FUEL SYSTEM RECALL , STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR EXTERIOR LIGHTING RECALL, HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING CAR AT NIGHT ELETRICAL SYTEM IGNITION RECALL POWER CUTS ON AND OFF
NHTSA complaint: Steering
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AS IT DID DURING RECALL. THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED IT. I THEN BOUGHT IT FROM PREVIOUS OWNER WHO DID NOT MENTION THE PROBLEM AS BEING ON A RECALL. WE FOUND OUT BUT DEALER SAYS IT WAS REPAIRED. OBVIOUSLY
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I GOT A RECALL OF UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION. I TOOK IT IN TO GM AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. THEY SAID IT IS FOR THE ORIGINAL KEYS , WHICH I HAVE. BUT MY PLASTIC ON ONE KEY IS BROKE ON ONE SPOT. I TOLD TH
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen
Risk: 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.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A FUEL TANK THAT DOES NOT MEET SPECIFICATION. A WELD ON THESE FUEL TANKS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK, AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 293 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 89 of them (30%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.