Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Electrical System (38.2% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Electrical System complaints here are 3.9× the median for that category across the 2547 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 112 · 38.2% | Recalled | Recall 14V400000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 30 · 10.2% | Recalled | Recall 09E012000 |
| Engine | 17 · 5.8% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 16 · 5.5% | No official action | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
| Steering | 12 · 4.1% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 293 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 14V400000 · 2014 · reported 07/03/2014
If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E021000 · 2007 · reported 03/12/2007
FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V301000 · 2004 · reported 06/30/2004
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“PASS LOCK ON GRAND AM 2004 SE KEEPS TURNING CAR OFF WHEN RUNNING./WILL NOT START FOR 10 MIN WHEN TRYING TO START.”NHTSA complaint 10283713 — filed 09/11/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“PROBLEM WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON '04 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CAR WON'T START AND IS UNPREDICTABLE. THE TEMP FIX IS TO TURN IGNITION ON FOR…”NHTSA complaint 10277927 — filed 07/22/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
“2004 GRAND AM WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. I HAVE HAD THE FUEL PUMP AND KEY SWITCH REPLACED AND THE CAR STILL DOES NOT START SOMETIMES…”NHTSA complaint 10274176 — filed 06/17/2009 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Electrical system issues are the most-reported category, cited in 112 of 293 NHTSA complaints (38.2%), followed by exterior lighting (30), engine (17), air bags (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
293 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 24 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 18 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V400000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
