Pontiac

Grand Prix (7th)

2004-2008 · Full-Size Sedan · 4 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.1)
1,200 NHTSA Complaints
11 Recalls
104 Fire Reports
97 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

LW9

3.0L 6-cyl
⚠️ Caution (3.1)
22 complaints 22.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
18
electrical
2
brakes
1
fuel system
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (18 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

LS4

5.3L 8-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.4)
83 complaints 27.7 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
52
exterior
9
electrical
8
brakes
6
wheels tires
6

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (52 complaints)
Exterior Issues (9 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (8 complaints)

Pontiac Grand Prix Unidentified Engine

Avoid (1.2)
239 complaints 47.8 per year
18 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
54
engine
45
transmission
40
exterior
39
steering
23

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (54 complaints)
Engine Issues (45 complaints)
Transmission Issues (40 complaints)

L26

3.8L 6-cyl
Avoid (1.0)
847 complaints 139.8 per year Gasoline
84 fire reports 3 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
277
engine
196
exterior
161
steering
134
brakes
87

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (277 complaints)
Engine Issues (196 complaints)
Exterior Issues (161 complaints)
Show 6 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

L67

3.8L 6-cyl
⚠️ Caution (3.2)
3 complaints 1.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
cooling
1
exterior
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (1 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)

3.4-V6-Gas

3.4L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.3)
2 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
1
engine
1
brakes
1
fuel system
1
exterior
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (1 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Brakes Issues (1 complaints)

L61

2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hp
Recommended (4.7)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

L37

4.6L 8-cyl
Recommended (4.7)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

LG8

3.1L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.7)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Pontiac Grand Prix regardless of engine variant.

Electrical System Issues (342 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (245 complaints)
engine critical
Exterior Issues (211 complaints)
exterior critical
Steering Issues (157 complaints)
steering critical
Transmission Issues (111 complaints)
transmission critical

Recalls (11)

15V701000Oct 25, 2015serious
Engine & Cooling

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. 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.

15V519000Aug 13, 2015serious
Exterior Lighting

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

15V201000Jun 3, 2015serious
Engine & Cooling

General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on April 2, 2015, that they are is recalling certain model year 2004 Buick Regal vehicles manufactured April 9, 2003, to June 1, 2003, 2004 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured April 8, 2003, to June 23, 2003, and 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles manufactured April 7, 2003, to June 23, 2003. On May 18, 2015, GM expanded the recall to cover an additional 49,751 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2003, to June 25, 2004. In the affected vehicles, the valve cover gasket may leak.

14V400000Mar 6, 2014serious
Electrical System

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.

09E005000Feb 16, 2009serious
Steering

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

09E025000Nov 4, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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.

06V419000Oct 30, 2006serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK IS MISSING THE ADHESIVE LAYER THAT BONDS THE BARRIER LAYER TO THE OUTER SHELL OF THE FUEL TANK.

05V046000Sep 1, 2005cosmetic
Vehicle Speed Control

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, AS REQUIRED.

04V287000Jun 22, 2004serious
Service Brakes

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.

04V299000Jun 22, 2004serious
Structure

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION WHERE THE FRONT FRAME REAR BODY MOUNT BRACKET MAY FRACTURE.

03V331000Dec 8, 2003serious
Service Brakes

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix problems?

The 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix has accumulated 1,200 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Electrical System, Engine, Exterior. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Pontiac Grand Prix engine is most reliable?

The 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix was offered with 10 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.4L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix a good used car?

The 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,200 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

The 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix has 1,200 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix?

There are 11 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Pontiac Grand Prix?

Before buying a used Pontiac Grand Prix, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Electrical System, Engine, Exterior, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Grand Prix have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,200 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-20.

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