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2004 Pontiac Grand Am electrical complaints

Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 140, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2004 Pontiac Grand Am electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Mar 24, 2010 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · NY

I love my pontiac gram am, the car not starting has been the only problem with the car. Just called the dealler ship and they said it would cost about $419 to fix the problem. I already spent $1000 or more on towes and new battieries, etc. Till I learned the 10 min trick. I'm getting sick and tired of waiting the ten minutes for my security light to reset. What does it take for a recall this problem. I can't imagine how many more people have had to have this problem.

Filed Feb 21, 2010 · Electrical · 66,000 miles · TX

Car will not start. Passlock security system bad. Have to leave ignition on for 10 minutes to let system reset. Found pages of complaints about the gm passlock security system on the web. I guess nothing will be done till somehow there is a death. With the gov. Now owning a part of gm the federal safety agency is now really in gm's back pocket and will not do anything.

Filed Feb 3, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · MI

Turn signal switch clicking, when after using the turn signal and during driving. I took it to the dealership they said it was the turn signal switch. I see that in december 2004 gm issued a policy covering turn signal/hazard flasher for a replacement. We did not receive a letter about this. I would like you to look into this and see if the 2004 grand am is also included in this recall, if so how do I go about to get the dealership the proper papers to fix this issue at "no cost" to me. This has been an occurring issue since early 2009, I just had time today to get it to the dealership to have it looked at, because the clicking is getting worse.

Filed Dec 18, 2009 · Electrical · 109,000 miles · MN

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the keys had to be in the ignition in the on position for ten minutes before the vehicle would start. After ten minutes the ignition reset the path lock system. The dealer confirmed that the failure is normal for his year, make and model vehicle; however, there are no related recalls. The contact is concerned about the manufacturers defect. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Dec 16, 2009 · Electrical · 99,000 miles · TX

2004 pontiac grand am got in car, and car would not start. Lights come on, radio on just wouldn't start. I had to be late work because I didn't have a ride and googled the problem, finally found out it is a problem with the security system and lots of people are having it. It has since happened one more times since the first time (first time was 12/15/09) today is the 16th. Twice in two days. It is winter and I hope this doesn't happen when I am with my kids. It's to cold for that. I have heard when people take their cars in to gm to have it fixed it costs about $600.00 and there is no way we have the money for that so right now we are having to put the key to "on" position and wait 10 minutes for the security system to reset. It will start then but that is so frustrating and if it happens when we are away from home this winter it will be cold as well. I can't believe when I searched online the amount of people having this same problem as me!

Filed Sep 28, 2009 · Electrical · TX

The passlock system in my 2004 grand am keeps acting up. I go to start my car and I have to put my key in the "on" position for 10 min. This could be a safety issue. My car shut off while driving it the other day. Power steering was not working. Had to glide to a stop. Was told this was a malfunction of the passlock system. I think that this is a recall situation and needs to be addressed. Dealership cannot figure out what is causing this problem other than it is a passlock system malfunction.

Filed Sep 11, 2009 · Electrical · 74,633 miles · KY

Pass lock on grand am 2004 se keeps turning car off when running./will not start for 10 min when trying to start.

Filed Jul 22, 2009 · Electrical · 106,033 miles · CA

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 10+ minutes then turn off and car will start. This is a big problem when you're at places like a gas station. There are reports all over the internet of this same problem and pontiac needs to recall and fix the problem.

Filed Jun 17, 2009 · Electrical, Fuel system · KY

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. Twice the car has shutdown while driving. The door locks will unlock when the cars shuts off while driving.

Filed May 17, 2009 · Electrical · OK

Clicking noise that sounds like turn signal, though turn signal nor hazards come on. Sound is very unpredictable, and very annoying. Have notices small wisps of smoke coming from steering column, but thought it was only dust until reading other complaints. Have taken to dealer and was told they had no idea what the problem might be.

Filed May 12, 2009 · Electrical · MO

My 2004 pontiac grand am wouldn't start, changed a few small things, fuel filter, etc, but still wouldn't start. Had to have it towed. I read about the passlock system and it worked. When I got to the dealer, their diagnostic didn't find anything wrong. I have not had it happen again, but am afraid to drive it because I also read that after the passlock system fails multiple times, it fouls the computer and the car could die when I'm driving down the highway at 70, and not be able to control the car.

Filed Sep 4, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 7,100 miles · CA

My 2004 grand am is having several ongoing problems. It wont start and when it does it dies constantly. I almost ran into a ditch after it lost power going 50 MPH. Another time it lost power in the middle of a three lane street with a green light. I was barley missed by two different vehicles going 45mph. My pontiac grand am' has a security problem involving a passlock failure. I got in my car today, and it wouldn't start again. Pontiac says to turn the key on for 10 min and reset the computer every time I try to start my car. I work late nights. I can't take the chance to see if its going to start or I have to sit in the dark for ten minutes and wait for my car to start. I also have had to replace the hazard relay and the multifunction rely like hundreds of other grand am owners. In 2003 pontiac recalled cars with the same issue. Im not sure why they aren't taking care of the 2004 problems.

Filed Jul 19, 2008 · Electrical · 57,280 miles · AL · fire

Car started popping fuses for the parking lights and dash lights then my wife was at bank and lights came on automatically then the harness under dash started smoking I had to cut power from battery to stop fire.

Filed Jun 22, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 50,000 miles · LA

On my 04 grand am after using turn signal,clicking noise started coming from behind hazard signal and now sometimes a puff of smoke has started coming from the steering column with only 43k on car, replaced hazard switch, fixed for only 2 days then same problem, noticed complaints of same problem and this was a recall on earlier models, shouldn't this recall be extended?? Please go to www.mycarstats.com there are many complaints of the problem. More complaints from other owners. 2nd complaint of turn signal electrical problem. Result of defective multifunction switch also present in other years as well and other gm vehicles. In researching this problem I have found it is not a matter of if but when it will happen. Car was repaired 1/18/08. This is the description of the repair from the mechanic: diagnose clicking noise in dash, remove dash face - check wiring, switches, tbs's and recalls. Problem caused by short in multi function switch that damaged flasher unit. R&r steering column covers and air bag to replace multi function switch, replace hazard lamp flasher unit. Part description: multi function switch assembly (headlamps, wipers, turn signals, dimmer all in one unit.) hazard lamp/flasher unit assembly. Total cost $474.31. If you will refer back to 2000, gm recall no03043 and 2001 gm recall no03043 you will see they were recalled for the same thing! In addition to a possible crash due to the defective switch that you noted, you might want to add that 1) very distracting 2) if not repaired, the brake lights start to fail 3) steering assembly starts smoking. I hope something is done before someone dies. This safety issue needs to be addressed before some gets hurt or dies. I made pontiac aware of condition with out resolve. Also the person whom I spoke to did not speak or understand english very well. Please help get this resolved.

Filed Jun 17, 2008 · Electrical · 55,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the pass lock system prevented the vehicle from starting. He would have to leave the key in for ten minutes and wait for the security light to stop blinking. The pass lock system would reset itself and then he could start the vehicle. The manufacturer stated that nothing could be done to assist. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was approximately 67,000 and failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed May 27, 2008 · Electrical · 79,939 miles · TX

I have a 2004 pontiac grand am gt and while I was driving the security light came on and when the ignition was turned off the car would not start back up. I had to end up paying $578.16 to have the passlock sensor and ignition cylinder replaces.

Filed May 11, 2008 · Electrical, Lights · 62,700 miles · ME

This is the 2nd time my car is running fine when I turn it off and when I go out to run an errand, there is no power at all. When I turn the key, there is nothing at all. Everything is completely dead, nothing lights up at all. It happened the 1st time earlier this winter and the garage was able to reset it and it started right up. I have tried putting the key to the on position and waiting 10 minutes and turn it to the off position and then trying to start it. There is still nothing. I assume I will have to have it towed to the garage and possibly have the ignition switch replaced. I figure that is what it must be because I have been doing research on the internet and alot of consumers have had the same problem and that is what was wrong and I also noticed that it can happen again at any time leaving people stranded. I just happened to be that both times I was in my own yard when it did it to me.

Filed Apr 15, 2008 · Electrical · 49,643 miles · IA

The security light comes on and won't allow me to start the vehicle until I let it sit for 10 minutes with the ignition in the "on" position. There are internet message boards with tons of complaints about this and gm won't repair it. The cost for the repair is $400.00 and the dealer says it is a common problem to have the passlock fail. The car only has 49,00 miles on it. What can I do to get this fixed?

Filed Apr 6, 2008 · Electrical · 46,000 miles · MO

Security system failure...no warning. Security light on as I went to work. The car sat all day...then it wouldn't start. The car does not recognize my keys. In doing some research I have found that this is a major problem for all grand ams, not just for 2004 models. Why does pontiac continue to use defective passlock systems in their cars. Cost to repair runs approximately 450.00. In my research I have found that even after it is "fixed" it can and does happen again. I would think that pontiac should quit using them and putting them on their cars, or pay for the repairs since they know it is bad and going to go bad over and over again. It isn't like the car is a bmw or rolls or something. I for one could live without the passlock security system.

Filed Mar 11, 2008 · Electrical · 36,225 miles · KS

The passlock anti-theft device installed in the ignition switch of my '04 pontiac grand am se will engage and make my car impossible to start. It happens several time per week since I passed 36,000 miles, now at 36,868. I thought mine was an isolated case, but after reading complaint after complaint from customers who have this device installed in their vehicles it's obvious that this device has a design flaw since many have had their ignition switches replaced only to have the same problem happen again and again. Gm even lists a procedure to "reset" the anti-theft sensor in my owners manual. I have a pregnant wife and two other small children. What am I supposed to do in an emergency when I get into my car and can't get it started because of this faulty device? Wait 10 minutes for this contraption to "reset" itself while precious time is ticking away? When this anti-theft sensor isn't keeping me from starting the engine the ignition switch and everything associated with it works beautifully. I would like for gm to come with a solution to this annoying and possibly life threatening faulty sensor and replace the the ignition switch with a more reliable switch or pay to have the dealership disable this useless headache altogether.

Filed Feb 11, 2008 · Electrical · 57,199 miles · PA

Ignition defective - will not start/unable to turn key in ignition. Seems like tumblers in ignition are not activating to recognize key. Have tried to start several times per day - has been sitting for 3+ weeks and cannot put into neutral to tow. No problems leading up to this event.

Filed Feb 10, 2008 · Electrical · KS

On my 2004 grand am noticed after using turn signal... Clicking noise coming from dash behind hazard signal started and now smoke has started coming from the steering column with only 43k miles on car... Noticed several other complaints of the same problem and that this was recalled on earlier models... Shouldn't this recall be extended??

Filed Jan 28, 2008 · Electrical · 59,240 miles · NV

Second complaint regarding the turn signal electrical problem. This problem is a result of a defective multifunction switch and is present in other years of the grand am as well as other gm vehicles. In researching this problem I have learned that it is not a matter of "if" it will happen to your pontiac but rather "when" it will happen. My pontiac was repaired janurary 18, 2008. The following is the description of the repair from the mechanic: diagnose clicking noise in dash, dismantle dash face and check wiring and switches, check tbs's and recalls. Problem caused by short in multi function switch that damaged flasher unit. R&r steering column covers and air bag to gain access to replace multi function switch, replace hazard lamp switch/flasher unit. Part description: multi function switch assembly (headlamps, wipers, turn signals, dimmer all in one unit.) hazard lamp/flasher unit assembly. Total cost $474.31. My cost to rent a car $59.85. If you will refer back to 2000, gm recall no03043 and 2001 gm recall no03043 you will see these vehicles were recalled for exactly the same thing! In addition to the consequences of a possible crash as a result of the defective switch that you noted, you might want to add that 1) it is very distracting 2) if the vehicle is not repaired, the brake lites start failing, the steering assembly starts smoking....and best of all, if you take it to certian pontiac dealers they have actually stated that the smoking was normal during the summer months!!! I sincerely hope that something is done about this before someone is killed. Think of your family members and give this some attention. This is not about money anymore.

Filed Jan 16, 2008 · Electrical · 59,300 miles · NV

Fortunately, my complaint does not involve any deaths, injuries or crashes. My inquires regarding an electrical problem have gone unanswered and before I spend a great deal of money having my dash board disassembled, I am turning to you to see if you have received any related complaints.

Filed Jan 5, 2008 · Electrical · 00

The turn signals continue to click when not in use. I took it to the mechanics and it was diagnosed as a multifunction control switch, which is $200.00 canadian for the part alone only available at the dealer. It is 2.5 hrs of labour to replace it as the steering wheel has to be pulled.

Filed Dec 14, 2007 · Electrical · LA

Security light comes on - car won't start - let set for 10 minutes - turn ignition off and back on - security light comes on going down the road. - something to do with passlock according to info on internet.

Filed Oct 26, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · 78,000 miles · IL

There is a problem with the vehicle not starting all the time. No warning to the problem and it seems that there is no pattern. Also have a turn signal issue, the sound goes on continuously. After some online research I have found the problems to be common. The starting issue has something to do with the security system which I have heard referred to as passlock. Have contacted gm on many levels, in person and over the phone, with no solution that suits me. Charged me $40, to tell me the turn signal would be $300 to fix, or so they say. Have not had an estimate on the ignition problem but have seen what other people have paid and could be between $400 and $1000. To have the part replaced with the same junk from gm. Will never buy another gm vehicle again. It is a shame that our american cars pale in comparison to their foreign counterparts. I hope that this information is useful and that this problem can be resolved, with gm recalling all of the problem vehicles and standing behind their terrible product. If I can be of any further assistance do not hesitate to contact me.

Filed Oct 1, 2007 · Electrical · MI

2004 pontiac grand am will not start. Have to reset some security code. Leaves you stranded for at least 15 minutes. Pontiac will not tell you how to fix. Many trips to repair shop, lots of money spent with no fix.

Filed Sep 19, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · TX

Problem with passlock system, car not turning on, has left stranded 6 times with my son at night, costed me tow charges, new battery, missed days from work, car is only 50,000, bought it brand new from dealer, driver side window motor will not work, rear view mirror fell, turn signal continue to click even after turn made, AC regulator bottom fell of. This car is a lemon.

Filed Jul 20, 2007 · Electrical · 29,185 miles · NC

In may, my ignition switch completely locked up. The ignition system is integrated with the passlock system. My dealer performed the repair of the ignition system, and now, just a few months later, I am having passlock problems. After researching the problem on the web, I have discovered that the passlock issue is a long outstanding problem the manufacturer is aware of, yet they have done nothing to resolve the problem for the affected customers. The cost of repair for this type of problem is approximately $380. This fee is not justified as it is the result of a defect in design or manufacture and should be subject to a recall and not foisted off on the customer.

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