Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2004 Pontiac Grand Am
The 2004 Pontiac Grand Am has significant electrical system issues, with limited evidence of problems in other areas. There are 293 owner complaints and four recalls. Pay close attention to electrical recalls and complaints during inspection.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Pontiac Grand Am has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 293 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #14V400000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09E012000 FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E021000 AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V301000 GM/FUEL TANK WELD NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 140 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 53 complaints
- Air Bags 21 complaints
- Structure 20 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 18 complaints
- Engine 17 complaints
Of the 293 complaints on file, 24 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 293 complaints, owners report 18 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Ignition switch recall
How to check: Verify recall was completed and test key function.
Exterior lighting problems
How to check: Inspect all lights for proper function, including reflectors.
Fuel tank welds may leak
How to check: Look for fuel leaks or unusual smell near the tank.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure the engine starts without hesitation.
Red flag: Engine struggles to start.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Listen for irregular idle or warning lights.
Red flag: Check engine light stays on.
- 03
Initial acceleration
What to check: Accelerate slowly to check for power delivery.
Red flag: Hesitation or lack of power.
- 04
Steering maneuver
What to check: Turn wheel full range for smoothness.
Red flag: Grinding or resistance in turning.
- 05
Braking
What to check: Brake at different speeds smoothly.
Red flag: ABS warning light or uneven braking.
- 06
Cruise at speed
What to check: Listen for unusual sounds or vibrations.
Red flag: Suspension knocks or vibrations.
- 07
Parking
What to check: Check ease of steering into a space.
Red flag: Difficulty or noise when parking.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the ignition recall been fixed?
- Are there any electrical issues you're aware of?
- Have you experienced any fuel leaks?
- What maintenance has been routinely done?
- Any history of accidents with this car?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Service records
- Recall repair receipts
- Title and registration
- Vehicle history report
- Ownership manual
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Pontiac Grand Am at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.