RoadVitals

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
64
Latest May 18, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 454 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
11
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
14

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 64 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 64, in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed May 18, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 24 MPH, A CLICKING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO A BUSINESS PARKING LOT AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11325007
Incident
May 6, 2020
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Feb 28, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

DRIVING DOWN MY FAMILIAR ROAD OF DUTCH HILLS OFF OF DR. 50. I TURNED MY WHEEL AT 27MPH. SLID OFF TOWARD THE EDGE OF THE ROAD. FISHTAILED, MAINTAINED COMPOSURE. THEN , BEGAN A FISHTAIL TO A 180-360 INTO A CONCRETED STEEL BEAMED MAILBOX. KNOCKING OUT MY DRIVERS LIGHT ASSEMBLY, FRONT FENDER, BUMPER, DISABLING THEHOODOF MY CAR, TILTING MY RADIATOR. NOTHING OFTHENIGHT SHOULD OF SKINNY TIRES,NOR MADEMEFAIL TO MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11183312
Incident
Feb 24, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 13, 2018

TAKATA RECALL, I DID NOT RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE AND I AM HAVING SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING AND THE WHEELS ARE ABOUT TO FALL APART.

NHTSA ID
11119748
Incident
Apr 20, 2018
Steering
Filed Jan 6, 2018

I WAS LEAVING DRIVEWAY IN JANUARY 2018 AND LOST ALL POWER STEERING. NO RECENT CRASHES, OR WORK DONE ON CAR. RECENT INSPECTION WHICH IT PASSED. ATTEMPTED TO SEE IF POWER STEERING WAS EMPTY AND IT WAS NOT. STILL NO POWER STEERING. CAUSED LOSS OF INCOME FROM JOB.

NHTSA ID
11060959
Incident
Jan 2, 2018
Mileage
201,675 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 3, 2017

CAR SHUTS OFF T TIMES UNEXPECTEDLY A TICKING SOUND POWER STEERING ISSUES I DON'T FEEL SAFE FOR ME AND MY KIDS DRIVING BUT NOT ALL CAN AFFORD A NEW CAR THESE CARS ARE HIGH RISK AND I WOULD LIKE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THIS PAID OFF VEHICLE PLEASE CONSIDER OUR SAFETY AND TAKE THESE DANGEROUS RECALL VEHICLES OFF OUR STREETS. AND SET FORTH ETC. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ID
10939515
Incident
Dec 29, 2016
Mileage
1,800,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 26, 2016

1ST PROBLEM IS STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP EVERY KNOW AND THEN 2ND HIT A BUMP OR DRIVE OVER RXR TRACKS THE TRACTION LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT COME ON.

NHTSA ID
10909637
Incident
Sep 26, 2016
Mileage
160,000 mi
Body & structureEngineSteering
Filed Sep 24, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH, WENT TO TURN WEST, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE STRIKING A WOODEN BRIDGE GUARDRAIL AND EMBANKMENT BEFORE RETURNING TO ROADWAY. DAMAGE IS FRONTEND, HOOD, HEADLIGHTS, UNDERCARRIAGE, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, STEERING COMPONENTS, ENGINE. DAUGHTER TRANSPORTED BY EMS

NHTSA ID
10909488
Incident
Sep 20, 2016
Driver assistanceElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 20, 2016

SYSTEM FAILURE APPEARS ON DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKER UNABLE TO CONTROL CAR ON HIGHWAY..NOW HOME AND NOW WILL NOT EVEN START A SAFETY HAZARD

NHTSA ID
10908075
Incident
Sep 6, 2016
Mileage
179,000 mi
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Aug 8, 2016
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN, MAKING A LEGAL U-TURN AT A SAFE SPEED, THE POWER STEERING FAILED MID-TURN AND THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY. IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE CONCERNING CATASTROPHIC STEERING FAILURE. THIS STEERING FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY FAULTY MANUFACTURING/ EQUIPMENT BY GM.

NHTSA ID
10893887
Incident
Aug 5, 2016
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jun 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, IT DECELERATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10875371
Incident
Jun 13, 2016
Steering
Filed May 1, 2016
Fire reported

I HAD THE EXACT MODEL, MAKE AND YEAR AND MY POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING SLOWLY FOR APPOX. 1 MONTH AND AFTER DRIVING IT 20 MILES I PARKED AT HOUSE AND SMELLED SOMETHING I WALKED 10 FEET AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THEN HOOD FLEW OFF AND THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND MELTED SIDING OFF HOUSE . I BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR EXACTLY SAME MODEL,MAKE YR, MY POWER STEARING ON THIS CAR IS LEAKING EXACTLY THE SAME AS MY 1SR CAR BUT FASTER LEAK. I DO NOT DRIVE IT AT ALL FOR OVER MONTH.

NHTSA ID
10862391
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Mileage
75,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Mar 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL KEYS TO THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE DOORS AND TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10849606
Incident
Mar 14, 2005
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Dec 27, 2015

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES PER HOUR, STEERING WHEEL BECAME TIGHT THEN LOCKED WHILE IN MOTION. I BRAKED IMMEDIATELY FOUGHT WHEEL TO PARK ON SIDE OF STREET, SAME TIME "CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE" NOTIFICATION CAME ON. I PLUGGED DIAGNOSTIC READER NO CODES COME UP. CHECKED SERPENTINE BELT, VISUAL CHECK UNDERHOOD, NOTHING OUT OF PLACE. OIL CHANGE, TUNE UP AND MINOR WORK DONE RECENTLY HOWEVER, THIS ISSUE WAS SUDDEN AND CANNOT BE DETECTED. AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AS I REGULARLY TAKE HIGHWAY FOR TRAVEL. RECALLED FOR CODE 14574 LAST WEEK, WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF LOCAL MECHANIC"SIMMONS-ROCKWELL BIG FLATS N.Y. IS SCHEDULED TO REPAIR CODE 14574 TUESDAY DEC.29, AT 930AM WOULD APPRECIATE IF SAME MECHANIC COULD BE COMPENSATED TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. SAID MECHANIC DID REPAIR KEY CODE FOR OTHER RECALL AND ONLY GM DEALER IN TOWN.

NHTSA ID
10816375
Incident
Dec 27, 2015
Mileage
164,544 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Oct 29, 2015

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM ALL LAST YEAR HAD THE WRONG DATES COMPARED TO THE DAY OF WEEK IT WAS. WHEN I AM DRIVING SOMETIMES AND I COME TO A STOP MY CAR SLIDES ESPECIALLY IN RAIN AND SNOW. MY ABS LIGHT COMES UP ALMOST ALWAYS WHEN I'M DRIVING

NHTSA ID
10786895
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 8, 2015

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND TURNED LEFT MY CAR SLOWED DOWN LIKE IT WANTED TO STOP THEN THE AC WAS TURNED OFF AUTOMATICALLY AND MY CAR STARTED RUNNING HOT..I WENT TO O'REILLY'S & THEY DIDN'T KNO WHAT WAS WRONG..THEY SAID EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTHING WAS LOW

NHTSA ID
10780942
Incident
Oct 8, 2015
Mileage
100,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2015

IGNITION SWITCH VERY LOOSE WITH KEY IN OR OUT. YOU COULD BARELY TOUCH IT AND THE VOLTAGE WOULD DROP CAUSING CAR TO TRY TO TURN OFF ON ITS OWN. I REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND SWITCH DUE TO FEAR CAR WOULD TURN OFF BY ITS SELF. WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBERSSED $679.36 PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED ON RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE A OPEN CASE ON THIS MATTER

NHTSA ID
10763017
Incident
Sep 5, 2014
Mileage
112,758 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2015

I WAS HAVING PROB WITH STEERING MY CAR. HAD IT CHECKED AND TOLD IT NEEDED REPLACED. WHEN I WAS ORDERING THE PUMP, I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNDER RECALL. TOTAL OF 319 DOLLARS PARTS AND LABOR. IF THIS PART IS UNDER RECALL SHOULDN'T IT BE FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO ME

NHTSA ID
10723750
Incident
Mar 1, 2015
BrakesElectricalOther / unspecified+1 more
Filed Apr 16, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, THE TRACTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A POLE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10706129
Incident
Apr 2, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 14, 2015

I WAS DRIVING AT A RATE OF 45 MPH AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP ON ME WHICH CAUSED ME TO GO TOWARDS IN COMING TRAFFIC LUCKILY THE CAR I WAS HEADED TOWARDS STOPPED. I TRIED TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL BACK TO THE RIGHT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. I HAD TO STOP MY CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL BECAUSE IT WAS SO HARD TO TURN. THE GENTLEMAN IN THE OTHER CAR GOT OUT TO HELP ME MOVE MY CAR OUT OF THE ROAD, AND HE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TOLD ME TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT IT LOCKING BACK UP ON ME THAT DAY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT LOCK UP ON ME WHILE BACKING OUT OR TURNING INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10705711
Incident
Mar 25, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 7, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

MY MOTHER WAS KILLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION IN A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. SHE WAS TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON A STREET CALLED HEWITT WHEN HER LEFT THE LANE FOR NO KNOWN REASON AND HIT A CAR TRAVELING NORTH BOUND HEAD ON DYING WITH IN SECONDS OF THE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE DID NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED . THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS FROM BRAKING NOR GOUGES NOR ANYTHING THAT SHOWED SHE TRIED TO BRAKE OR AVOID HITTING THIS CAR. I HAD JUST TALKED TO HER 20MIN BEFORE HER DEATH. HER LEFT LEG WAS BROKE AS IF SHE HAD APPLIED GREAT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND HER STEERING WHEEL WAS IN A LOCKED POSITION CAUSING HER RIGHT ARM TO BREAK. THERE IS NO KNOWN REASON WHY HER SEAT BELT GAVE AWAY BECAUSE SHE WAS KNOWN TO WEAR HER SEATBELT AT ALL TIMES I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A YEAR LATER ABOUT THIS VEHICLE BUT IT WAS TO LATE. MY MOTHER HAD AN EXCELLENT DRIVING RECORD. THIS HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS LOSS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10704204
Incident
Mar 20, 2013
Mileage
102,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 25, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CRASHED INTO SOME LEAVES, AND SLID SIDEWAYS DOWN A HILL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SORENESS IN THE BACK AND KNEES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ID
10701640
Incident
Feb 15, 2015
Mileage
157,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURES RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SPRING CONTROL MECHANISM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 5/26/15*CN UPDATED 9/22/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10689544
Incident
Feb 4, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Nov 14, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, DURING RAINY WEATHER, WATER FLOODED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,206.

NHTSA ID
10654936
Incident
Jun 15, 2009
Mileage
98,206 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 19, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO AN EXPRESSWAY WALL AND BOUNCED OFF INTO TRAFFIC WHERE IT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A TRUCK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT IT WAS NOT CONFIRMED IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND SPEED WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10637644
Incident
Nov 6, 2013
Steering
Filed Sep 19, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS REQUIRED TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AND PINION WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 219,940.

NHTSA ID
10637491
Incident
Nov 11, 2013
Mileage
219,940 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .