2004 Pontiac Gto Reliability Score: 6.7 out of 10

245 NHTSA Complaints

0 Recalls

1 Fire Reports

7 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

6.7 / 10

Reliability score

About as many owner complaints as similar sports cars

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 28 powertrain complaints. A typical sports car fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 23.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 0.8 points better in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall28 complaints against about 23 for similar vehicles

6.7

Last three years

n/aNot enough data

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced

n/aNot enough data

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LS1

5.7L 8-cyl

186 complaints 186.0 per year

1 fire report 2 fatalities

View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension

128

wheels tires

transmission

electrical

body

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Corvette (2005-2013)BUICK Century (2000-2005)CHEVROLET Camaro (2000-2002)CHEVROLET Corvette (2000-2004)

Pontiac Gto Unidentified Engine

58 complaints 58.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension

wheels tires

electrical

fuel system

brakes

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

L26

3.8L 6-cyl

1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical

Same engine used in

CHEVROLET Malibu (2004-2007)CHEVROLET Cobalt (2005-2010)CHEVROLET Malibu (2000-2003)CHEVROLET Corvette (2005-2013)BUICK Lucerne (2006-2011)BUICK LaCrosse (2005-2009)

+1 more

CHEVROLET Camaro (2000-2002)

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac Gto, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension: 169 owner complaints

Wheels & Tires: 82 owner complaints

Transmission: 17 owner complaints

Electrical System: 14 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2004 Pontiac Gto

On a used 2004 Pontiac Gto, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (169), the wheels and tires (82) and the transmission and drivetrain (17). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 169 owner complaints on the 2004 Pontiac Gto about the suspension.
Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 82 owner complaints on the 2004 Pontiac Gto about the wheels and tires.
Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2004 Pontiac Gto about the transmission and drivetrain.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2004 Pontiac Gto about the electrical system.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2004 Pontiac Gto

All Generations

20042004 20052005 20062006

Alternatives in Sports Car

4 engines / 69 complaints

6 engines / 41 complaints

3 engines / 27 complaints

1 engine / 22 complaints

3 engines / 75 complaints

2 engines / 37 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto complaints?

Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the wheels and tires and the transmission.

Is the 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 245 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto have?

NHTSA has 245 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2004-2004 Pontiac Gto.

What should I check before buying a used Pontiac Gto?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the wheels and tires and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Gto have NHTSA crash test ratings?

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

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 245 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.