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2003 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Am years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

238 reports with mileage · 87 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 134 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 65 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports5 fire reports23 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

134 reports
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50,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE CAUSED PROBLEMS, WOULDN'T START HALF THE TIME, COULDN'T FILL UP WITHOUT GAS PUMP CUTTING OFF CONSTANTLY (TOOK 20 MINUTES TO FILL UP). TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND OTHER SHOPS SPENT TONS OF MONEY PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. GOT SO FEED UP WITH THIS CAR I PULLED THE TAGS AND BOUGHT A HONDA. IT IS REALLY UNFAIR HOW TH…

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COOLANT LEAKED INTO ENGINE CAUSED PROBLEMS, WOULDN'T START HALF THE TIME, COULDN'T FILL UP WITHOUT GAS PUMP CUTTING OFF CONSTANTLY (TOOK 20 MINUTES TO FILL UP). TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND OTHER SHOPS SPENT TONS OF MONEY PROBLEM NOT SOLVED. GOT SO FEED UP WITH THIS CAR I PULLED THE TAGS AND BOUGHT A HONDA. IT IS REALLY UNFAIR HOW THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS CAR WAS ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH PUTTING OUT SUCH AN INFERIOR PRODUCT. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR RECALL ON ANY NUMBER OF THESE PROBLEMS. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS OR THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500953

91,000 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

SOMETIMES, WHEN APPLYING THE TURN SIGNALS, THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT ACTIVATE, EVEN THOUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER IS IN THE CORRECT POSITION. THE RELAY DOES NOT CLICK, AND THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT FLASH. ALSO, AT RANDOM TIMES, THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY CAN BE HEARD CLICKING RAPIDLY ON AND OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT TURNED …

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SOMETIMES, WHEN APPLYING THE TURN SIGNALS, THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT ACTIVATE, EVEN THOUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER IS IN THE CORRECT POSITION. THE RELAY DOES NOT CLICK, AND THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT FLASH. ALSO, AT RANDOM TIMES, THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY CAN BE HEARD CLICKING RAPIDLY ON AND OFF WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT TURNED ON. THE TURN SIGNALS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN THIS OCCURS, JUST THE RELAY IN THE DASH CLICKS. AS STATED, THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND CAN GO ON FOR HOURS OVER A LONG DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490858

30,000 miles · Oct 12, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND-AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO TURN OVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD GO OFF BY ITSELF AT DIFFERENT HOURS OF THE DAY AND IN ORDER TO DEACTIVATE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND-AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT FAILED TO TURN OVER. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD GO OFF BY ITSELF AT DIFFERENT HOURS OF THE DAY AND IN ORDER TO DEACTIVATE IT HE HAD TO PUSH ON THE HORN MULTIPLE TIMES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT LOCK AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE MIGHT BE CAUSE BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND HE WOULD NEED TO CONSULT WITH HIS LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10479906

60,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY, PREVENTING HIM FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND HE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SYSTEM ENGAGED ERRONEOUSLY, PREVENTING HIM FROM STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND HE HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,0000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED HE MUST WAIT 10 MINUNTES TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THIS OCCURS VERY FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT SERVICE VEHICLE UNTIL A $100 FEE WAS PAID. UPDATED 11/27/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10479837

198,000 miles · Sep 29, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility

WE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING OUR CAR, THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS ON AND STAYED ON. SOME DAYS IT WOULD START AND OTHERS IT WOULDN'T AND THEN IT EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AND STUMPING THE MECHANICS, WE STILL HAVE NOT SOLVED THE ISSUE. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CHECKED FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO TH…

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WE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING OUR CAR, THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS ON AND STAYED ON. SOME DAYS IT WOULD START AND OTHERS IT WOULDN'T AND THEN IT EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START AT ALL. AFTER BEING IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK AND STUMPING THE MECHANICS, WE STILL HAVE NOT SOLVED THE ISSUE. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN CHECKED FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO THE SENSORS AND THEY ALL TESTED GOOD. OUR IGNITION WENT BAD AND SINCE WE HAD IT REPLACED IT HAS BEEN BAD. THIS CAR HAS LEFT US STRANDED PLACES WITH THREE SMALL KIDS. WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES THEN TURN TO OFF THEN START AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE IT WORKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10477956

100,000 miles · Aug 31, 2012
Electrical System

CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES....IT HESITATES TO START. ALOT OF GM VEHICLES HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. GM NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10473226

115,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION FAILED TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10472560

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2012
Electrical System

CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES. I HAVE BEEN ON A FORUM AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ITS THE SECURITY SAFETYLOCK(FAULTY). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459817

147,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND NOTICED AN EXTREMELY SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN ADDITION, OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS A CLICKING NOISE WOULD EMIT FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA. THE CLICKING MALFUNCTION STOPPED WHENEVER ENGAGING THE HAZA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND NOTICED AN EXTREMELY SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IN ADDITION, OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS A CLICKING NOISE WOULD EMIT FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA. THE CLICKING MALFUNCTION STOPPED WHENEVER ENGAGING THE HAZARD WARNING CONTROL DEVICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

NHTSA ODI #10449136

120,000 miles · Nov 28, 2011
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN THE PAST AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WOULD REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR A SECOND T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE1. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYS COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES IN THE PAST AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WOULD REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR A SECOND TIME AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10437438

Official recalls

2

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

04V528000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Nov 1, 2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, 'ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS.' IN HOT AMBIENT CONDITIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY STICK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET AND NOT RETURN TO THE ENGINE IDLE POSITION WHEN THE OPERATOR LIFTS HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FAILURE TO RETURN TO IDLE COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM AND REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.