NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

3.9

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,034 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Pontiac Grand Prix transmission problems

transmission problem

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2004 Pontiac Grand Prix Owner Comments

problem #9

Feb 202009

Grand Prix

  • 74,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I started my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp one very cold morning and noticed a whining noise from under the hood. I purchased this vehicle used in 2005 with about 16,000 miles on it. Once the car warmed up, the whining noise went away until I drove it. I heard the noise again when the transmission shifted from first gear. At that time, the mileage was about 74,800. About one 3 days later, I took it to a local lube shop to have the transmission fluid changed. After the fluid was changed, I did not hear the whining sound again until about 2 days later on my way home for a lunch break. The next morning, I heard the whining when I started the car to warm it up. After the car warmed for a while, it hesitated to move when I put it into reverse to go to work. It also hesitated to move when I put it into drive. The mileage, at that point, was about 75,000 miles. I brought it back home and called a local repair shop who ended up looking at it and said the trans was shot. I then called GM about to express my dissatisfaction and to ask for some type of assistance. They referred me to a dealer for a diagnosis. I took it to sullivan Pontiac and was told that it was a possible problem with the valve seal. The estimated cost to repair would be 2,600. Considering I do not drive my car under heavy conditions and the recommended trans service is due at 100K for those driving conditions, I do not think this problem should be occurring at this mileage.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

problem #8

Dec 232007

Grand Prix

  • 65,000 miles
Transmission slips occasionally when accelerating from a stop. When its cold outside, the transmission shifts hard, especially after car warms up.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #7

May 232008

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact came to a complete stop at a traffic light. Once the light changed, he depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not move. He then attempted to shift gears, but they were not operating. There were no warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. Three months prior to the failure, the transmission slipped on five occasions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the original transmission and also stated that it should not have failed at this mileage. The current and failure mileages were 56,000. Updated 06/16/08 in the past 2 yearsm, the transmission slipped 5 times. Updated 06/16/08

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 052007

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 27,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2006 Pontiac Grand Prix V6 transmission clunking noise: Transmission shifts hard into drive and reverse and has since I bought it (about a week after). Shifting gears (automatic) is hard and have to take it easy on the acceleration. Bought vehicle at 27000 miles and currently it is 68000. Cant afford to fix, too expensive. Occurs all the time. Apparently it is a common problem with this model and year, just google it, yet no recalls. Emailed GM and did not get a courtesy email or call after complaint.

- Napa, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 292007

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,487 miles
I own a 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT2. I purchased the vehicle used with 12,000 miles on it. My vehicle had no previous owners except GM on the title due to its status as a demonstrator. I drove this car up until 56,487 miles when the vehicle was unable to shift properly from a stop. A severe shudder in first gear followed by a missed shift in second rendered the vehicle almost paralyzed. The vehicle was serviced at a local Pontiac dealership were I was informed that the input clutch piston seal was blown out as well as severe damage to the clutches. I had no other option but to replace the entire transmission which cost me $2,690. My vehicle has the 4T65E automatic transmission which is common among GM 3800 engine vehicles. Further research has shown a common theme among these transmissions. Most reports of transmission troubles involving the 4T65E claim to have shifting problems in first and second gear which seem to occur around the 60,000 mile range.

- Kentwood, MI, USA

problem #4

Jan 262006

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15 miles
It feels like the transmission in down is -shifting when I try to accelerate. First noticed only on occasion about 6 months after I bought the car. It only happened in the passing gear. Now it's happening in about 2nd gear. When I try to accelerate it feels like it's in neutral and the rpms drop. Had it towed to dealership and of course, they could not duplicate the problem.

- Plaquemine, LA, USA

problem #3

May 262005

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased a 2004 Pontiac gran dprix GT2 in June of that same year. One week later the repairs began. The most scary occurring on the date mentioned on this complaint, May 26, 2005, eleven months after I purchased the vehicle. My car died while driving 65 mph on the highway with my three small children in the back seat. The car had no power whatsoever, no steering, no gas, no lights, nothing. I thank god we are alive. The mechanics at the dealership diagnosed the problem as a faulty ignition switch. After this incident I rented a car at my own expense for eight weeks. We did not step foot in the vehicle for that period of time. For financial reasons I slowly began driving my car again. There were repairs before that event as well as afterwards. These include the brain, transmission, brakes, axle, wheel bearings, steering, sunroof, fuel injectors, and safety belts.

- Amesbury, MA, USA

problem #2

Jun 242004

Grand Prix

  • miles
Sporadically the car hesitates when started and put into gear. Typically, I start the car and then reverse out of a parking space. When shifting to drive and then accelerating, the car hesitates. There have been 3-4 instances when it simply shut off. I have taken it in to the dealership, but they found nothing wrong.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #1

May 282003

Grand Prix 6-cyl

  • 800 miles
My car stalled 5 days after I received it. It was about 40 F outside and I reversed slowly and put the vehicle in drive. It shuddered and stalled. This happened once more the next day. Any time the temperature is below 60 F the vehicle shudders when put into drive. I've taken it in to the dealership 4 times for this same issue but they seem unable to fix it. I've had the PCM re-flashed, injectors cleaned, and spark plugs replaced. I have had continued shuddering at low temperatures but no more stalling since the first incidents. There is also a jerking when accelerating quickly. When pressing the gas the car hesitates and then jumps into gear.

- Sterling Hts, MI, USA

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