In March 2008, GM announced a plan to recall all 1997–2003 Grand Prix GTP models (as well as sister car Buick Regal GS) due to a problem which causes fires in the engine compartments of these vehicles. Over 230 fires were reported. This recall affected over 200,000 vehicles equipped with the Supercharged 3800 Series II Engine. GM sent a letter to the owners of these vehicles on March 13, 2008, instructing them not to park in garages or carports until the problem was resolved.[16] The recall for the Supercharged engine was to change the left (front) valve cover gasket, as GM says oil leaks onto the exhaust manifold cause the engine fires. However, many people in the Grand Prix community believe this recall did little to nothing to fix the fire problem, and instead the problem is likely faulty fuel rail quick disconnect o-rings. There have been reports of fires happening after the recall has been performed.[17]
In April 2009, the recall already posted for the Supercharged iterations of the 3800 Series II was expanded to cover all 3800 Series II engine-equipped vehicles after many fires were reported with Grand Prix GT and 3.8 L equipped SE versions, as well as the sister car Buick Regal LS. The recall for the non-supercharged V6 is to remove the front spark plug retainer only, and a valve cover gasket is not changed on non-supercharged 3.8 engines. At this point, the recall now covers nearly 1.5 million vehicles.[18]
As of May 2008, Grand Prixs from the model years of 01-03 that were outfitted with OnStar cannot be activated due to outdated technology. OnStar's wireless services are provided by Verizon Wireless, which switched fully to digital cellular communications as mandated by the U.S. government/FCC. Grand Prixs of model years 2001 to 2002 have OnStar systems that are Analog cellular capable only. Some 2003 models may have had modules that could be upgraded to digital-ready.
The Grand Prix was updated for 2004 on a revised version of the GM W platform. The Grand Prix came in four different option groups; GT1, GT2, GTP, and GTP Comp-G ("Competition Group").
The base model GT1 and fancier GT2 have the Series III 3800 V6 engine, putting out 200 hp (150 kW) and 230 ft·lbf (310 Nm) of torque, while both GTPs have the supercharged (Eaton Gen 5 Supercharger) 3800 Series III V6 engine with 260 hp (195 kW) and 280 ft·lbf (380 Nm) of torque.
A Competition Group (Comp-G) package was available for the GTP that included red painted brake calipers (same brakes as the 'standard' GTP), sport tuned suspension, heads-up display (also in GT2 model), 4-speed automatic transmission with paddle-style TAPShift, StabiliTrak dynamic control system, 3.29 axle ratio, performance tires and Magnasteer II. Also, a 10 spoke light weight wheel was standard with the Comp-G package but could be 'upgraded' to the GTP optional wheel.
The newly redesigned model mostly received positive reviews from critics regarding its distinctive styling, performance, and reliability. Commencing with this generation, the 2-door coupe version of the Grand Prix was no longer an available body style. The timing of the disappearance of the Grand Prix coupe coincided with GM's reintroduction of the 2-door Pontiac GTO. The Grand Prix came with a head-up display.
The Grand Prix remained basically unchanged from 2004. With the Base sedan, GT, GTP, and the new GXP. The base model and GT had the naturally aspirated 3.8 L V6, with the GTP having the 3.8 L V6 with supercharger. The Comp-G package was still available for the GTP with an added door emblem denoting the Comp-G package.
The GXP powerplant is the LS4 V8, a 5.3 L Displacement on Demand (active fuel management) engine based on the legendary LS1 block. Output of this version is 303 hp (226 kW)/323 lb·ft (438 N·m). It has a shortened crankshaft, and a host of other modifications to make it fit into a FWD vehicle. The GXP also has a 4-speed automatic transmission with paddle-style TAPshift, heads-up display, vented cross drilled brakes with PBR calipers, performance tuned suspension with Bilstein gas-charged struts (sits about 9 mm (0.4 in) lower than other GP models), Magnasteer II, and StabiliTrak dynamic control system. Also, the DIC will display G-Force (maximum achieved for lateral, acceleration, and deceleration) information when the car is not moving. Cosmetically, the GXP differs from the other models with more aggressive bodywork including a different front clip, wheel well cooling vents on the front fenders, a different rear bumper, and twin-dual polished exhaust. The Grand Prix GXP also offers a unique feature of the different-width 18-inch (460 mm) polished Alcoa Forged aluminum wheels. The front wheels are eight inches (255 mm) wide, and the rear wheels are seven inches (225 mm) wide.