2004 Pontiac Gto Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Gto, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension16953.5%
- Tires & wheels6520.6%
- Electrical144.4%
- Powertrain (other)92.8%
- Transmission82.5%
- Fuel system82.5%
- Body & structure61.9%
- Engine61.9%
- Steering61.9%
- Airbags51.6%
- Interior & seats51.6%
- Other / unspecified51.6%
- Brakes41.3%
- Visibility30.9%
- Seat belts20.6%
- Exterior lighting10.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR
I GOT NEW TIRES PUT ON YESTERDAY. THEY ARE THE STOCK SIZED TIRES. SHORTLY AFTER I HEARD A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT SIDE. I NOTICED THE TIRE WAS RUBBING ON THE FENDER. THE CAR SAGS MORE AND MORE EACH DAY. THEN YESTERDAY, I WAS JUST DRIVING NORMALLY FROM STOP LIGHT TO STOP LIGHT, AND MY CAR WOULD WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. SO I CHECKED FLUIDS AND IT WAS OK ON THAT. I HAD TO DRIVE 30MPH BACK HOME. *TR
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 PONTIAC GTO TIRE BLOW OUT WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 PONTIAC GTO NEW, AND HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH RUBBING SOUNDS AND VIBRATIONS SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 45,000 MILES AND WE HAD A BLOW OUT. APPARENTLY THE TIRES ON 2004 GTO'S RUB THE SPRING POCKET OF THE STRUT CAUSING THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRES TO FAIL PREMATURELY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE WEAR UNLESS THE TIRE IS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. PONTIAC HAS REPLACED THE TIRES ONCE UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THIS ISSUE, BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO GM TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PREVIOUS "FIX" DID NOT WORK - THEY DISMISSED ME STATING THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES WITHIN 45,000 MILES AND MY WIFE FEELS THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF HER BLOWOUT EXPERIENCE. I NEED GM TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SPOKEN TO MANY GTO OWNERS ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND SOME DEALERS HAVE RETROFITTED GTO'S WITH THE APPROPRIATE 18" WHEEL AND TIRE COMBINATION, BUT CARL BLACK IN ROSWELL GA AND THE DISTRICT MANAGER "ROD" WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP US. PLEASE - CAN YOU HELP? *TR
1. MY WIFE WAS COMPLAINING OF A SQUEAKING SOUND WHENEVER SHE PUT ON THE BRAKES. WHEN RESEARCHING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ONLINE I NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR 2004 AND 2005 GTO'S REGARDING TIRES RUBBING ON THE FRONT STRUTS. SINCE I WAS GOING TO REMOVE THE TIRES TO GET A BETTER LOOK AT THE BRAKE PADS I ALSO CHECKED FOR THE TIRE RUB PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE AND STRUT BOTH SHOWED SIGNS OF WEAR. THE TIRES INSIDE TREAD WAS WORN AND THERE WERE AREAS ON THE TIRES WHERE SMALL CRACKS HAD STARTED AND ONE 3 INCH LONG CRACK THROUGH THE SIDEWALL. LEFT SIDE TIRE TREAD WAS NOT WORN YET THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF TIRE RUB ON THE STRUT. 2. SINCE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RUN ACROSS THE INFORMATION ONLINE, I WILL BE ABLE TO AVOID A FAILURE. THE FAILURE IF I WERE TO LET IT GO WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BE EATHER A GRADUAL LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE OR IF RUNNING FREEWAY SPEEDS A SUDDEN BLOWOUT. SIMPLY REPLACING THE TIRES (WITH OEM REPLACEMENTS) AND ADJUSTING THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT WILL NOT PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. 3. I'M CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RESEARCHING OPTIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED BUT WITH VERY LOW MILES AND GOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. SINCE OTHER ITEMS CONTRIBUTE TO THE TIRE RUB SUCH AS PREMATURE FAILURE OF BUSHINGS AND BREARNGS I HOPE TO GET AT LEAST THOSE REPLACED SINCE THEY ARE COVERED. A FORMAL RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN REQUIRED, SO ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD BE THE SAME AS THOSE THAT FAILED IN THE FIRSTPLACE. I'M STRONGLY LOOKING AT INSTALLING AN AFTERMARKET KIT DESIGNED TO CORRECT ALL THE PROBLEMS. *TR
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAN USED FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THE HEATER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE REMAINED ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF OR ON. THERE WAS ALSO CONDENSATION ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE ABNORMAL CONDENSATION ORIGINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GTO. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE INTERMITTENT FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR
I GOT NEW TIRES PUT ON YESTERDAY. THEY ARE THE STOCK SIZED TIRES. SHORTLY AFTER I HEARD A LOUD SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT SIDE. I NOTICED THE TIRE WAS RUBBING ON THE FENDER. THE CAR SAGS MORE AND MORE EACH DAY. THEN YESTERDAY, I WAS JUST DRIVING NORMALLY FROM STOP LIGHT TO STOP LIGHT, AND MY CAR WOULD WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD OR 4TH GEAR. SO I CHECKED FLUIDS AND IT WAS OK ON THAT. I HAD TO DRIVE 30MPH BACK HOME. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY PROBLEM WAS WITH THE 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD CAUSE A GRINDING SOUND WHILE SHIFTING AND "POPPING" OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE CLUTCH. THEY REPLACED THE CLUTCH BUT THE PROBLEM NOT ONLY STILL EXISTED BUT IT GOT WORSE. IT BECAME SO BAD THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR AT ANY SPEED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER ABOUT A WEEK LATER. NOW THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. OK. SO I TOLD THEM TO REPLACE IT BUT IT TOOK 4 WEEKS UNTIL GM COULD SUPPLY ONE. IT CAME WITH A 3 YEAR, 100K WARRANTY AT A COST OF $4000. THIS PLUS THE $1200 FOR A NEW CLUTCH MADE FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE OUT-OF-WARRANTY REPAIR. *TR
MANUAL TRANSMISSION IS VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION WILL ALSO OCCASIONALLY POP OUT OF A GEAR WHILE DRIVING. IN ORDER TO PUT TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE I HAVE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO ANOTHER GEAR FIRST, THIS WORKS OVER HALF OF THE TIME, SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUT IT IN 3RD, 4TH, THEN GO UP TO REVERSE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I FIRST PICKED UP THE CAR. HAD DEALER LOOK AT IT, THEY CLAIMED THERE WERE NO TSB'S OR RECALLS FOR THE 2004 GTO SO THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SENT ME ON MY WAY SAYING "AT LEAST YOU HAVE REPORTED IT, THAT MAY COVER YOU IN THE FUTURE IF IT FAILS." ALSO, DEALER DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY GM TELLS THEM TO USE THE SAME FLUID THAT GOES INTO FRONT DRIVE AUTOMATICS, THIS COULD CAUSE GTO MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO BURN OUT FASTER.*JB
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DOING A SPRINGTIME CHECK OF MY GTO, NOTICED COIL COVER RUBBING ON FUEL RAIL FEED LINE. ABRASION WAS ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE LINE. HAD TO REPLACE WITH STEEL BRAIDED LINE FROM RUSSELS. COULD HAVE CAUSED FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED GASOLINE FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE EVAPORATED CANISTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR
BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGER DOORS LEAK WATER DURING A HARD OR EXTENDED RAIN. THEY LEAK TO THE POINT WHERE THE WATER OVERFLOWS, SOAKING THE FLOORS, BOTH FRONT AND BACK. CARPETING SOAKED, PRODUCING A MOLDY ODOR. GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM FOR GTO OWNERS. THERE'S NO VISIBLE LEAKS AND DEALERS WILL POINT THAT OUT TO YOU. MEANWHILE, SOAKED, MOLDY CARPETING & EVENTUALLY ROTTING FLOORBOARDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOST OIL PRESSURE. *TR
I LOVE MY GTO, BUT I HAVE MANY PROBLEMS THAT THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE. HERE GOES...MY TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN WHEN I HIT THE BUTTON, I HAVE TO BE STANDING AT THE TRUNK AND PULL UP AS I HIT THE BUTTON...MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS HORRIBLE, MY RADIO WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN BLAST MUSIC AND THEN GO BACK DOWN TO A NORMAL VOLUME, MY TRUNK LIGHT WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO, ALONG WITH MY BACK DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHTS. MY CARS FAN WOULD RUN AFTER I TURN OFF THE CAR LONG ENOUGH TO RUN THE BATTERY DOWN, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS "NORMAL". THE LEATHER HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW THAT THE YEAR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ITS COMING APART AGAIN...THIS WILL BE THE LAST GM I BUY, AND I HAVE OWNED 3 PONTIACS, 1 SATURN, 1 CHEVY TRUCK SINCE 97 (ALL NEW EXCEPT MY GTO) I CAN NOT BELIEVE HOW I CAN NOT GET ANY HELP ON MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP LOVES TO EAT ME UP WITH FEES FOR LOOKING AT THE CAR, AND CAN NEVER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR
I GUESS I WAS JUST WONDERING AFTER READING SO MANY PEOPLE WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2004-2006 PONTIAC GTO WITH THE SAME 3 PROBLEMS, STRUTS, STEERING COLUMN, AND IGNITION PROBLEMS, THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO TAKE CARE OF THIS POTENTIALLY DEADLY SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME UNDERSTAND THAT IF YOU HAVE 2004-2006 WITH ALL THE SAME ISSUES THAT SHOULD HAVE LONG AGO RAISED ALOT OF ATTENTION STILL HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS DRIVING CAR ON THE FREEWAY AT APROX 75 MPH HIT A PATCH OF ICE AND LOST CONTROL SPUN OUT IN CIRCLES, HITTING THE GUARD RAIL CAUSING IT TO ROLL 3 TIMES CAR ENDED UPSIDE DOWN I HIT STEERING WHEEL AND SERIOUSLY HURT MY BACK NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SAFETY BELT) DOES NOT RETRACT AND INSTEAD IS FULLY EXTENDED PROVIDING NO SECURITY OR RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT,. I HAVE REVIEWED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED AND I CAN ASSURE THIS AGENCY THAT MY BELTS HAVE NO "SOFT DRINK SPILLS CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE". INSTEAD THE INTERNAL SPRING LOCK DEVICE OF THE BELT ITSELF IS RETAINED IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC DISK AND IS, IN MY OPINION, A FAULTY AND INFERIOR DESIGN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER OWNING THE CAR LESS THAN 3 YEARS, THE SEAT BACK LATCHES STARTED STICKING SO ANYONE WHO WAS IN THE BACK SEAT HAD A HARD TIME GETTING OUT OR GETTING IN FOR THAT MATTER! AFTER A TIME THE LATCHES STOPPED WORKING ALTOGETHER SO IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THE BACK SEAT IF THEY WERE ABLE TO GET IN. THE POWER SEATS HAD TO BE MOVED ALL THE WAY FORWARD, JUST TO GIVE A SMALL SPACE FOR PASSENGERS TO SQUEEZE OUT. IN A CRASH, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET SOMEONE OUT OF THE BACK SEAT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN HARM. WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SO IT STILL REMAINS AN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AS THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. ALL THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
PE 07-010 PONTIAC GTO (2004-2006) STRUT TO TIRE INTERFERENCE CUSTOMER STATES THAT PONTIAC TRIED TO FIX THE TIRES BUT IT DID NOT WORK**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRE TREAD WAS STILL GOOD, BUT IT WAS THE SIDE OF THE TIRE THAT RUBBED DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE KEY WAS GETTING STUCK IN THE IGNITION, THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE LOCK CYLINDER. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK WOULD LOCK AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT LOCK AND WOULD SET OFF THE CAR ALARM. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AT TIMES. THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 PONTIAC GTO TIRE BLOW OUT WE PURCHASED OUR 2004 PONTIAC GTO NEW, AND HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH RUBBING SOUNDS AND VIBRATIONS SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 45,000 MILES AND WE HAD A BLOW OUT. APPARENTLY THE TIRES ON 2004 GTO'S RUB THE SPRING POCKET OF THE STRUT CAUSING THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRES TO FAIL PREMATURELY. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE WEAR UNLESS THE TIRE IS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. PONTIAC HAS REPLACED THE TIRES ONCE UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THIS ISSUE, BUT WHEN I RETURNED TO GM TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE PREVIOUS "FIX" DID NOT WORK - THEY DISMISSED ME STATING THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES WITHIN 45,000 MILES AND MY WIFE FEELS THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF HER BLOWOUT EXPERIENCE. I NEED GM TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND SPOKEN TO MANY GTO OWNERS ONLY TO FIND THAT THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, AND SOME DEALERS HAVE RETROFITTED GTO'S WITH THE APPROPRIATE 18" WHEEL AND TIRE COMBINATION, BUT CARL BLACK IN ROSWELL GA AND THE DISTRICT MANAGER "ROD" WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP US. PLEASE - CAN YOU HELP? *TR
2004 PONTIAC GTO, STRUT RUB. THE TIRES RUB THE FRONT TIRES AND WERE RIGHT THREW THE TIRES, WENT TO THE DEALER, AND SAID I NEED A ALIGNMENT AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DID, KNOW MY TIRES ARE WORN DOWN ON THE OUT SIDE OF THE TIRES, WAS TOLD THE BUSHINGS ARE ALL BAD BY OTHER GTO OWNERS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
1. MY WIFE WAS COMPLAINING OF A SQUEAKING SOUND WHENEVER SHE PUT ON THE BRAKES. WHEN RESEARCHING BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ONLINE I NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR 2004 AND 2005 GTO'S REGARDING TIRES RUBBING ON THE FRONT STRUTS. SINCE I WAS GOING TO REMOVE THE TIRES TO GET A BETTER LOOK AT THE BRAKE PADS I ALSO CHECKED FOR THE TIRE RUB PROBLEM. SURE ENOUGH THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE AND STRUT BOTH SHOWED SIGNS OF WEAR. THE TIRES INSIDE TREAD WAS WORN AND THERE WERE AREAS ON THE TIRES WHERE SMALL CRACKS HAD STARTED AND ONE 3 INCH LONG CRACK THROUGH THE SIDEWALL. LEFT SIDE TIRE TREAD WAS NOT WORN YET THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF TIRE RUB ON THE STRUT. 2. SINCE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RUN ACROSS THE INFORMATION ONLINE, I WILL BE ABLE TO AVOID A FAILURE. THE FAILURE IF I WERE TO LET IT GO WOULD MOST CERTAINLY BE EATHER A GRADUAL LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE OR IF RUNNING FREEWAY SPEEDS A SUDDEN BLOWOUT. SIMPLY REPLACING THE TIRES (WITH OEM REPLACEMENTS) AND ADJUSTING THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT WILL NOT PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. 3. I'M CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RESEARCHING OPTIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WE PURCHASED THE CAR USED BUT WITH VERY LOW MILES AND GOT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. SINCE OTHER ITEMS CONTRIBUTE TO THE TIRE RUB SUCH AS PREMATURE FAILURE OF BUSHINGS AND BREARNGS I HOPE TO GET AT LEAST THOSE REPLACED SINCE THEY ARE COVERED. A FORMAL RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN REQUIRED, SO ANY REPLACEMENT PARTS WOULD BE THE SAME AS THOSE THAT FAILED IN THE FIRSTPLACE. I'M STRONGLY LOOKING AT INSTALLING AN AFTERMARKET KIT DESIGNED TO CORRECT ALL THE PROBLEMS. *TR
MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE IN THE 30,000 MILES THAT I HAVE PUT ON THE CAR. UNDER HARD BREAKING THE VIBRATION AND PULSATING IS SO UNNERVING THAT I WONDER IF THE CAR IS GOING TO FLY OFF THE CHASIS. I KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON THE GTO WEBSITES THAT HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAN USED FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AND THE HEATER THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE REMAINED ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OFF OR ON. THERE WAS ALSO CONDENSATION ON THE FLOOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE ABNORMAL CONDENSATION ORIGINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TIRES TWICE DUE TO INSIDE TIRE WEAR/PREMATURE WEAR/STRUT RUB (ALL INSIDE WEAR NEAR STRUT). THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY (ALL THE TIME). GIVE A FALSE ERROR OF OVERHEATING WITHIN MINUTES OF START-UP (HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES). ANALOG SPEEDOMETER WAS VERY ERRATIC, MOVED ALL AROUND FROM 0 TO 200 MPH WHILE CRUISING AT 65 MPH (2 TIMES) AND READ 140 MPH WHILE STOPPED. PAINT ON THE DOOR HANDLES STARTED PEELING OFF WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP (BOUGHT BRAND NEW). DAMPNESS BEHIND THE DRIVES SEAT ON THE FLOOR (OFTEN AFTER DRIVING IN RAIN). RADIO CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, A BUTTON HAS THE FUNCTION OF THE ONE ABOVE IT (OFF & ON ALL THE TIME). GAS CAP REPLACED DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR, CAUSED ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON (OFTEN, STILL HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE WITH THE NEW CAP). HARD TO SHIFT IN REVERSE AT TIMES, HELPS TO SHIFT IN ANOTHER GEAR FIRST. SHIFTER RATTLES OFTEN DURING ACCELERATION. POPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR (MOSTLY DURING COLD MORNINGS, ALSO HARD TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR ON COLD MORNINGS. LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER CAR IS SHUT OFF WHILE IN AUTO-MODE; WORKED CORRECTLY AT FIRST, BUT NOW THEY ALWAYS STAY ON (ALWAYS OPERATE THEM MANUALLY NOW TO KEEP FROM DRAINING BATTERY). *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR FIRST FAILED IN AUGUST OF 2013. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MANY OTHER 04 GTO OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I FIXED THE PART THAT COMMONLY SLIPS OUT OF PLACE CAUSING THE ISSUE AND THE SEATBELT ONCE AGAIN WORKED CORRECTLY. HOWEVER, NOW ON JULY 2ND 2014 AT ONLY 39,500 MILES THE SEATBELT RETRACTOR AGAIN FAILED LEAVING THE BELT FULLY EXTENDED. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND NOT DRIVABLE AS THE BELT WILL PROVIDE NO RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY OPINION WITH A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE THAT THIS IS A POOR AND UNSAFE DESIGN TO BEGIN WITH. FORTUNATELY FOR ME I DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE BOTH TIMES WHEN PARKED AND NOT DRIVING, BUT IF THIS FAILURE WERE TO OCCUR RIGHT BEFORE OR DURING A COLLISION THERE WOULD BE SERIOUS HARM DONE AS THE SEATBELT WOULD EFFECTIVELY DO NOTHING. THE SPRING FOR THE BELT INSIDE THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM IS HELD IN PLACE BY PLASTIC PARTS, WHICH IS CLEARLY A CHEAP CORNER CUTTING MOVE AND HAS LEFT THE SEATBELTS IN ALL OF THESE CARS IN A DELICATE AND UNSAFE STATE. I WILL BE CONTACTING A GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP TO ASK IN THEY WILL COVER THIS REPAIR AS THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL, BUT THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. *TR
THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SAFETY BELT) DOES NOT RETRACT AND INSTEAD IS FULLY EXTENDED PROVIDING NO SECURITY OR RESTRAINT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT,. I HAVE REVIEWED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED AND I CAN ASSURE THIS AGENCY THAT MY BELTS HAVE NO "SOFT DRINK SPILLS CAUSING THE SYSTEM TO BECOME INOPERABLE". INSTEAD THE INTERNAL SPRING LOCK DEVICE OF THE BELT ITSELF IS RETAINED IN PLACE BY A PLASTIC DISK AND IS, IN MY OPINION, A FAULTY AND INFERIOR DESIGN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT TIRES TWICE DUE TO INSIDE TIRE WEAR/PREMATURE WEAR/STRUT RUB (ALL INSIDE WEAR NEAR STRUT). THE INTERMITTENT WIPERS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY (ALL THE TIME). GIVE A FALSE ERROR OF OVERHEATING WITHIN MINUTES OF START-UP (HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES). ANALOG SPEEDOMETER WAS VERY ERRATIC, MOVED ALL AROUND FROM 0 TO 200 MPH WHILE CRUISING AT 65 MPH (2 TIMES) AND READ 140 MPH WHILE STOPPED. PAINT ON THE DOOR HANDLES STARTED PEELING OFF WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP (BOUGHT BRAND NEW). DAMPNESS BEHIND THE DRIVES SEAT ON THE FLOOR (OFTEN AFTER DRIVING IN RAIN). RADIO CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, A BUTTON HAS THE FUNCTION OF THE ONE ABOVE IT (OFF & ON ALL THE TIME). GAS CAP REPLACED DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR, CAUSED ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON (OFTEN, STILL HAPPENS ONCE IN A WHILE WITH THE NEW CAP). HARD TO SHIFT IN REVERSE AT TIMES, HELPS TO SHIFT IN ANOTHER GEAR FIRST. SHIFTER RATTLES OFTEN DURING ACCELERATION. POPS OUT OF 2ND GEAR (MOSTLY DURING COLD MORNINGS, ALSO HARD TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR ON COLD MORNINGS. LIGHTS STAY ON AFTER CAR IS SHUT OFF WHILE IN AUTO-MODE; WORKED CORRECTLY AT FIRST, BUT NOW THEY ALWAYS STAY ON (ALWAYS OPERATE THEM MANUALLY NOW TO KEEP FROM DRAINING BATTERY). *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .