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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.

About this comparison →

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

Engine complaints

17 reports
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155,825 miles · Sep 5, 2014
EngineFuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ANOTHER SERVICE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN DRIVING …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ANOTHER SERVICE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE CONTACT HAD NOTICED THAT THE "CHECK ENGINE" WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER. THE CONTACT THEN COASTED OVER TO AN EMERGENCY LANE AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN BACK TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER :07E021000(FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,825.

NHTSA ODI #10630937

20,000 miles · Jun 4, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I HAD 2 KIDS IN THE CAR,THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK,CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP.. I WAS USING BOTH FEET ON BRAKE & ER BRAKE AS WELL!! I WAS SWERVING IN & OUT OF TRAFFIC,RUNNING RED LIGHTS & PRAYING FOR OUR LIVES,WE GOT UP TO 85 MILES PER HOUR IN A 35MPH ZONE!! THE CAR WAS REVVING OUT OF CONTROL & BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER T…

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I HAD 2 KIDS IN THE CAR,THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK,CAR KEPT SPEEDING UP.. I WAS USING BOTH FEET ON BRAKE & ER BRAKE AS WELL!! I WAS SWERVING IN & OUT OF TRAFFIC,RUNNING RED LIGHTS & PRAYING FOR OUR LIVES,WE GOT UP TO 85 MILES PER HOUR IN A 35MPH ZONE!! THE CAR WAS REVVING OUT OF CONTROL & BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD! I MANAGED TO SLAM IT INTO PARK & WE ALL JUMPED OUT & RAN,VERY FRIGHTENING & ALMOST ENDED IN A COLLISION. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET CRACKED AT 1YR OLD AND 10,000 MILES,THE TIRES NEEDED RESEALING AT 5000 MILES. RIDICULOUS!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596041

163,000 miles · Mar 14, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY OR STREET THE CAR STALLS WITHOUT ANY WARNING . THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY DIED CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. MUST TRY TO MERGE OFF AND OUT OF TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY. HAPPENS ON SMOOTH AND ROUGH ROADS. UNSAFE. DRIVING A 2003 GRAND AM WITH SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. PLEASE ADVISE, SUPPORT AND SERVICE.…

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WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY OR STREET THE CAR STALLS WITHOUT ANY WARNING . THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY DIED CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. MUST TRY TO MERGE OFF AND OUT OF TRAFFIC IMMEDIATELY. HAPPENS ON SMOOTH AND ROUGH ROADS. UNSAFE. DRIVING A 2003 GRAND AM WITH SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. PLEASE ADVISE, SUPPORT AND SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572508

70,000 miles · Mar 7, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,00…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567852

236,000 miles · Nov 16, 2013
EngineExterior LightingStructure

BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED. 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM 3.4L V6. CONSTANT TICKING FROM HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. GROUNDING PROBLEMS. LOOKED FOR RECALLS AT GM DEALERSHIP. NO RECALLS ON THE PROBLEM. NO CHOICE BUT TO REMOVE HAZARD LIGHT FUSE UNTIL REPAIR. SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY GM. GONNA COST US $500! THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ROTTED A…

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BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED. 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM 3.4L V6. CONSTANT TICKING FROM HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH. GROUNDING PROBLEMS. LOOKED FOR RECALLS AT GM DEALERSHIP. NO RECALLS ON THE PROBLEM. NO CHOICE BUT TO REMOVE HAZARD LIGHT FUSE UNTIL REPAIR. SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY GM. GONNA COST US $500! THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES ROTTED AWAY CAUSING COOLANT SPRAYING EVERYWHERE CAUSING WHITE SMOKE AND OVERHEATING OF THE ENGINE. SPRAYING THE SERPENTINE BELT AND WATER PUMP. WITH VISUAL INSPECTION AND TOUCHING CONFIRMED SPOT. 3/4 OF RESERVOIR IS LEAKED OUT CAUSING RUST ON SUB FRAME. ALSO FRONT ROCKER PANEL BAD. FRONT PASSENGER PANEL ROTTED OUT. BAD OXIDIZING ON THE MANIFOLD COVER AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD COVER. SHAME ON GM FOR NOT COVERING ALL GAS ON THE HAZARD LIGHT MALFUNCTION AND MULTI SWITCH ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552581

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

99,500 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Engine

HI, MY GRANDAM OVERHEATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT COMPARTMENT WAS EMPTY. I DID NOT RECEIVE A LOW COOLANT WARNING FROM THE CAR SYSTEM. I HAD TOPPED OFF MY COOLANT COMPARTMENT ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. WHEN I LOOK AT THE ENGINE BLOCK, I CAN SEE THAT THERE IS A TRAIL OF COOLANT COMING OUT THE ENGINE GASKET. I D…

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HI, MY GRANDAM OVERHEATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT COMPARTMENT WAS EMPTY. I DID NOT RECEIVE A LOW COOLANT WARNING FROM THE CAR SYSTEM. I HAD TOPPED OFF MY COOLANT COMPARTMENT ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO. WHEN I LOOK AT THE ENGINE BLOCK, I CAN SEE THAT THERE IS A TRAIL OF COOLANT COMING OUT THE ENGINE GASKET. I DID SOME GOOGLING AND NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE GRANDAMS AND THAT THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST GM A COUPLE YEARS AGO. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AS I WORRY IF THE ENGINE WILL CATCH FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490674

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.