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Research · Compact Cars

2004 Pontiac Grand AmRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 293 owner complaints for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am. Most complaints involve electrical system (140) and exterior lighting (53). The EPA rates it 21–27 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
293
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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 agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. 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.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

293 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2003 – Nov 2021
  1. Electrical system140
  2. Exterior lighting53
  3. Air bags21
  4. Structure20
  5. Vehicle speed control18
  6. Engine17
  7. Steering15
  8. Engine and engine cooling12
  9. Power train11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Grand Am model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996450
1997394
1998179
1999858
2000691
2001548
2002404
2003338
2004293
2005102
Crashes reported
24
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

140 reports6 crashes5 fires
“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 VEHICLE IS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2020Electrical systemODI 11331824

Exterior lighting

53 reports1 crash1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 5, 2019Steering, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11218215

Air bags

21 reports13 crashes
“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]. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 17, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11232776
All 2004 Grand Am problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Am
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,400329
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
213125$2,550355
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,050423
  • Grand Am
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    21 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1253Vehicle 1252
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Grand Am questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

Owners filed 293 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (140), exterior lighting (53), air bags (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am at 21–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026