20 of the 624 complaints about the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix are about the wheels — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 30,000 miles.
20
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
WHEELS
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 complaint #10786895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
I FIRST NOTICED THAT WHEN TURNING THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE FRONT PASSENGER CONTROL ARM NEEDED REPLACED. I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH RECALL AND FOUND OUT THAT THE SPEED HARNESS NEEDS REPLACED AND THAT IS WHAT'S CAUSING THE LIGHT FOR ABS/TC TO BE SERVICED. I HAVE RESEARCHED BOTH OF THESE ISSUES WITH THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD ISSUE. WHAT CONSTITUTES A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10779818 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS, THE TRACTION CONTROL, AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA complaint #10723698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THE WHEELS WERE CORRODED AND WOULD NOT SEAL THE TIRE IN PROPERLY, CAUSING THEM TO LOOSE AIR CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA complaint #10448238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
THE CHROME PLATING ON THE RIMS OF MY 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP IS CORRODING. , THERE ARE MAY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE WHEELS. THIS CORROSION IS CAUSING THE RIMS TO CONSTANTLY LOSE AIR LEADING TO UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATIONS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. NOT NEW PROBLEM READ MORE: HTTP://WWW.FAQS.ORG/CAR/PONTIAC-GRAND-PRIX-2004/WHEELS/#IXZZ1KQSHX1XP.
NHTSA complaint #10398138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
THE CHROME PLATING ON THE RIMS OF MY 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP IS CORRODING. UPON MY ONLINE RESEARCH, THERE ARE MAY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE WHEELS. THIS CORROSION IS CAUSING THE RIMS TO CONSTANTLY LOSE AIR LEADING TO UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATIONS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
NHTSA complaint #10323745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
THE CHROME IN MY RIMS IS BUBBLING AND CRACKING OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. MY TIRES ARE SLOWLY LOOSING AIR BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT GET A PROPER SEAL. REPLACING THE WHEEL OUT OF POCKET DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A PROPER OPTION. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT I SEE ALL OVER THE LIST OF DEFECTS FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL.
NHTSA complaint #10322224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
CORROSION OF WHEELS CAUSING TIRES NOT TO SEAL. RESULTING IN CONSTANT NEED TO ADD AIR TO TIRES, IMPROPER INFLATION, AND PRE-MATURE WEAR OF TIRES. DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO WARRANTY OR REPLACE WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #10293753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
2004 GRAND PRIX WITH THE PEELING CHROME RIMS. THE ONE IS SO BAD THE TIRE LOSES 10LBS OF AIR A WEEK. A LOT OF INFORMATION OUT THERE ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS, BUT GM DOESN'T SEEM TO CARE. HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM THAT ARE NOT REPORTING IT? I WILL MAKE SURE NOT TO BUY ANOTHER GM MODEL FOR MY NEXT VEHICLE. MY CAR ALSO HAS THE SHAKING HEADLIGHTS, BUT SINCE THE DEALER COULD NOT TELL ME ABOUT IT, I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT AFTER MY CERTIFIED WARRANTY WAS OVER, I WILL NOT BUY THEIR FIX FOR THEIR ERROR.
NHTSA complaint #10267164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE STOCK CHROME GTP RIMS FOR 2004, WHICH CAUSES THE CHROME LAYER TO PEEL OFF. BECAUSE THE CHROME LAYER IS VERY THIN IT ALLOWS CORROSION TO FORM UNDERNEATH THE CHROME LAYER, WHICH CAUSES PITTING AND THE TIRE NOT TO SEAL AND LEAK AIR. THE CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 YRS AGO BY THE PONTIAC DEALER I PURCHASE AND MAINTAIN THE CAR WITH. I NOTICED THAT I WAS CONSTANTLY (1-2 X/WEEK) FILLING THE TWO DRIVER SIDE TIRES WITH AIR. I DIDN'T THINK THIS WAS A SAFE SITUATION FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO CHECK THE TIRES FOR LEAKS THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED TO BUY 3 NEW WHEELS AT $700 A PIECE. TWO OF THE WHEELS HAD PITTING WHICH WAS PREVENTING THE TIRES FROM SEALING AND A THIRD WHEEL WAS STARTING TO DO THE SAME THING. I SAID THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, NOBODY HAS TO BUY NEW WHEELS UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN AN ACCIDENT AND IF THE FIRST SET WERE MANUFACTURED POORLY, WHAT GUARANTEE DO I HAVE THAT THE NEXT SET ISN'T FROM THE SAME LOT? NEXT I CONTACTED THE PONTIAC COMPLAINT LINE. THEY ASKED HOW I WANTED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I WANTED THE WHEELS TO BE REPLACED NO CHARGE, AT THE VERY LEAST, I DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $125 PER WHEEL. I POINTED OUT TO THEM THAT WHEN I HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON BY THIS SAME PONTIAC DEALER 16 MONTHS PRIOR, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE WHEELS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS. THE COMPLAINT LINE CAME BACK WITH THE REDUCED PRICE OF $300 PER WHEEL AS THEIR OFFER. I COULDN'T DO IT; THERE WAS STILL NO GUARANTEE I WOULD NOT EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I WENT AND BOUGHT 4 NEW CUSTOM WHEELS FOR UNDER $125 A PIECE FROM A LOCAL TIRE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10231415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
CENTER OF RIMS BREAKING UP ON PASSENGER SIDE CHARGING SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING CAR TO QUIT IN FULL MOTION IM WONDERING HOW MANY SUB STANDARD PARTS ARE ON MY CAR THAT DELPHI PUSHED OUT THE DOOR BEFORE OR DURING BANKRUPTCY THAT ENDANGERS MYSELF AND MY WIFE'S SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #10230214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE STOCK CHROME GTP RIMS FOR 2004 (AT LEAST), WHICH CAUSES THE CHROME LAYER TO PEEL OFF. THE CHROME LAYER IS VERY THIN. THIS CAUSES CONCERN, BECAUSE IT INTRODUCES CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE CHROME LAYER, WHICH CAUSES THE TIRE TO NOT SEAL SNUG AT THE BEAD, AND LEAK AIR. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY (AT LEAST EVERY MONTH) FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR TO AVOID IT GOING FLAT. NOT ONLY IS THIS REPETITIVE AND USUALLY UNNECESSARY WITH OTHER CARS, IT IS UNSAFE. ON THE DATE IN QUESTION (3/7/07), I GOT A FLAT TIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET, AND REQUIRED ASSISTANCE TO INSTALL THE SPARE. THIS INCIDENT ALSO RENDERED THAT TIRE UNUSABLE SINCE IT WAS SHREDDED BY DRIVING ON IT WITHOUT SUFFICIENT AIR PRESSURE - WHICH REQUIRED ME TO BUY TWO NEW TIRES FOR A TOTAL OF $383.98. NOT ONLY IS THE RISK OF A FLAT TIRE TROUBLING, IT ALSO REDUCES THE LIFE OF THE TIRE, REDUCES FUEL EFFICIENCY, AND REDUCES BAD WEATHER PERFORMANCE. AT THE VERY LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW TIRES, AND WOULD LIKE FOUR NEW RIMS WITHOUT THIS PROBLEM. I FOUND REFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM VIA A GOOGLE SEARCH, WHICH RETURNED A POST ON THE SOLSTICE FORUMS BY ANOTHER GTP OWNER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THAT OWNER APPARENTLY RECEIVED REPLACEMENT RIMS WITH A "SANDBLASTED FINISH" INSTEAD OF A "MACHINED FINISH". THAT POST CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://WWW.SOLSTICEFORUM.COM/FORUM/SHOWPOST.PHP?S=D97FA7295DA71BE68C2F5243F33FD85A&P=355564&POSTCOUNT=7. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER LISTED, AND THEY ATTRIBUTE THIS PROBLEM TO BE "NORMAL WEAR" AND "A RESULT OF SALT AND ROAD TREATMENTS EATING AWAY AT THE FINISH", AND I AM SUPPOSED TO "THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL AFTER WASHING THE CAR". THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I ALSO HAVE CONTACTED THE PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, WITH THE SAME RESULT. THIS DEFINITELY DOES NOT INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN BUYING ANOTHER GM PRODUCT, AND I WILL BE LOOKING ELSEWHERE IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! *TR UPDATED 07/10/2012
NHTSA complaint #10212091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. AFTER SHE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND PIECES OF THE RIM ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT CORROSION TO THE RIM CAUSED THE FAILURE. AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #10211806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
THE CHROME WHEELS ( RIMS ) ARE PEELING. WENT FROM COSMETIC TO DRIVEABILITY ISSUE SINCE THE PEELING CHROME HAS AFFECTED THE BEAD AND/OR VALVE STEM SEALS. THE TIRES LEAK COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF AIR AT VARIOUS RATES. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON JULY 25. RIMS ARRIVED AND SET APPOINTMENT FOR AUGUST 6. FOUR RIMS WITH TWO DIFFERENT STYLES WERE SENT. RIMS WERE RE-ORDERED AND PROMISED IN TWO WEEKS. HAVE NOT ARRIVED. GM WILL ONLY SUPPLY RE-CONDITIONED RIMS WHICH MEANS CUSTOMER MUST WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S OLD ONES TO BE RETURNED AND RECONDITIONED. UNACCEPTABLE THAT: 1. GM WILL NOT OFFER NEW PARTS. 2. THERE IS NO AVAILABLE STOCK. ALREADY COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP AND PONTIAC DIVISION. NO OTHER SOLUTION OFFERED. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER THE NEW CAR 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10200451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
I HAD 3 RIMS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 38K MILES, THE OTHER RIM SHOWED NO PROBLEMS AND WAS NOT REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE CHROME PEELING OFF THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL RIM AND AIR LEAKING. NOW AT 48K MILE THE 4TH WHEEL IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IS LEAKING AIR.
NHTSA complaint #10185118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. ALL FOUR TIRES LOST TIRE PRESSURE/AIR SINCE JUNE 2006. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS THAT CORRODED. THE WHEELS WERE GTP COMPETITION GROUP AND WERE STANDARD FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE WHEEL TYPE WAS P04 1710 . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ADJUSTER TO LOOK AT THE WHEELS, WHO ADDED A SEALANT ON THE WHEELS. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS REPAIR INVOICES. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07.
NHTSA complaint #10182644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. ALL FOUR TIRES LOST TIRE PRESSURE/AIR SINCE JUNE 2006. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GM DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE TO BE THE CAST ALUMINUM WHEELS THAT CORRODED. THE WHEELS WERE GTP COMPETITION GROUP AND WERE STANDARD FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE WHEEL TYPE WAS P04 1710 . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ADJUSTER TO LOOK AT THE WHEELS, WHO ADDED A SEALANT ON THE WHEELS. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAS REPAIR INVOICES. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07.
NHTSA complaint #10182644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR MY FOUR TIRES HAVE CONTINUALLY BEEN LOOSING AIR. EVERY FEW DAYS I HAVE TO FILL THEM UP. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE FINISH ON MY CHROME RIMS IS BUBBLING OFF (A CONDITION CALLED POROCITY) AND BREAKING THE SEAL ON THE TIRES. BECAUSE I HAVE OVER 36,000 MILES ON MY CAR (IT'S A 2004 MODEL) I AM BEING TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER, WHO WAS ADAMANT ABOUT HELPING ME BECAUSE OF MY MILEAGE. I THEREFORE WENT TO ANOTHER PONTIAC DEALER WHO RESEALED THE TIRES BUT MADE MATTERS WORSE. THEY STARTED LEAKING AT A FASTER RATE. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS DEALER FOR OVER TWO MONTHS NOW, WHO ASSURES ME THAT HE IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN IN DEALING WITH THE MANUFACTURER OF THE RIMS. AT THIS POINT IN TIME, HE WILL NOT EVEN RETURN MY CALLS. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A CAR THAT IS TWO YEARS OLD AND HAS THE FINISH ON THE CHROME RIMS BUBBLING OFF AND CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. THESE RIMS COST $600. EACH AND I DO NOT THINK THAT A CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT WAS PUT ON THEIR CAR. YOU CANNOT TELL ME THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. EVERY TIME THE TIRES ARE LOW, MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND I CANNOT HANDLE THE CAR. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE?
NHTSA complaint #10168442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
DAMAGE TO WHEEL RIM (ALUMINUM ALLOY) ON 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GTP
NHTSA complaint #10120092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:RIM
DT: ON DEC 27, 2004 THE CONSUMER HIT A MAJOR POT HOLE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE'S RIM TWISTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. ON APRIL 19, 2005 THE TIRE BEGAN LOSING PRESSURE. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE RIM HAD CRACKED. *NM
NHTSA complaint #10119952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.