PONTIAC GTO · model year

2004 PONTIAC GTO

333 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004PONTIACGTO carries 333 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 1 fire, 13 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 GTO is suspension:front with 71 filings, followed by suspension:front:macpherson strut (57) and tires (52). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 2004 GTO. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

333
Complaints
12
Crashes
1
Fires
13
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

333 filings

Crashes Reported

12 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION:FRONT71
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT57
TIRES52
SUSPENSION47
TIRES:TREAD/BELT9
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION6
TIRES:SIDEWALL5
POWER TRAIN5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT4
WHEELS4
SUSPENSION:REAR4
AIR BAGS3
STEERING3

Recent Complaints

20211103UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Evap code for gas tank cap leaking

20160819VISIBILITY

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.

Mileage: 152,000

20160819ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 152,000

20151109SEATS

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.

20141109CrashAIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 36,709

20140814ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

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.

Mileage: 103,000

20140711FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

Mileage: 45,000

20140703SEAT BELTS

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 AN

Mileage: 32,000

20140616ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WE HAVE OWNED 2 2004 GTO'S AND THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH VEHICLES AND THE VIN NUMBER LISTED ABOVE IT HAS NOW HAPPENED TWICE. THE KEY WILL NOT WORK AND UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN THEREFORE THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK... THERE IS NO WARNING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AND HAS LEFT US STRANDED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. WHEN I CONTACTED PONTIAC (GM) ABOUT THIS ISSUE THEY INITIALLY SEEMED CONCERNED BUT NOW AFTER COUNTLESS CALLS AND EMAILS THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING. THEY HAVE EVEN ISSUED A SERVICE REQUEST: 71-1312795897 NUMBER WHICH APPARENTLY DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE TO VERIFY THAT THIS ISSUE ISN'T A DEFAULT IN THE CAR. AS I AM AWARE THAT THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THEM MULTIPLE TIMES ON THESE CARS SPECIFICALLY AND THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECALL THE ISSUE. MY REQUEST IS FOR THEM TO INVESTIGATE AND WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING THE ISSUE SO WE HAVE A PERFECT CASE FOR THEM TO HAVE A GM DEALER LOOK AT AND SAY IF THIS A FLAW IN THE STEERING AN

Mileage: 70,000

20140331ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC GTO. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. ..UPDATED 05-09-14 *BF

Mileage: 27,000

20131114CrashPOWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR

20131114CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR

20131114CrashSTEERING

I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR

20131114CrashSUSPENSION

I WAS DRIVING MY CLUTCH AND GAS WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND I RAN THROUGH THE WOODS. *TR

20131025FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 132,000

20130401POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 91,250

20130401SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 91,250

20120328AIR BAGS

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

Mileage: 110,110

20120328SEAT BELTS

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

Mileage: 110,110

20110718SUSPENSION:FRONT

I OWN 2004 PONTIAC GTO THAT HAS HAD 2 FRONT END ALIGNMENTS AND HAS BEEN THROUGH 3 SETS OF FRONT TIRES IN 55K MILES. GM STATED TO ME THAT IT HAS TO BE MY DRIVING HABITS AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH A DEFECT ON THEIR PART. AFTER CLOSER INSPECTION DURING MY LAST TIRE SWAP OUT. I NOTICED TIRE DAMAGE TO INSIDE OF TIRE ON SIDEWALL,DUE TO TIRE RUBBING STRUT ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TIRE HAD I NOT BEEN LOOKING. WHO WILL DIE BEFORE GM FIXES THIS ISSUE? THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STAY ALIGNED NO MATTER WHAT I DO,CONSTANTLY LOOSING POSITIVE CAMBER TO THE POINT OF STRUT-TIRE CONTACT. *KB

Mileage: 11,000

Compare 2004PONTIACGTO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 PONTIAC GTO have?
The 2004 PONTIAC GTO has 333 NHTSA complaints, 12 crashes, 1 fires, 13 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 PONTIAC GTO?
The most-complained component for the 2004 PONTIAC GTO is SUSPENSION:FRONT with 71 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT and TIRES.
Is the 2004 PONTIAC GTO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.