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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

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NHTSA ODI #11678132

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeatsInjury

Korr’s Automotive wants $55Ø to repair our exhaust leak. Fuel lines are too close to engine, which can cause death or injury upon impact. You’re welcome for [XXXXXX] upon request! Driver seat is out of commission on power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11555755

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeatsInjury

Ecotec Gen I was re–engineered to be smoother and more efficient than its predecessor. Featuring an dual in–block balance shafts, power–steering pump, water–pump housing, and removable oil filter housing. This engine replaced the Quad–4 and GM 122 in North America and first appeared. GM offers an official kit which can be co…

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Ecotec Gen I was re–engineered to be smoother and more efficient than its predecessor. Featuring an dual in–block balance shafts, power–steering pump, water–pump housing, and removable oil filter housing. This engine replaced the Quad–4 and GM 122 in North America and first appeared. GM offers an official kit which can be converted into 2.2 supercharged versions using modified ECM software. Model L42 is an CNG version of the Ecotec 2.2, producing 129 hp and 129 ft⋅lb. This LSJ was listed as one of Ward's 10 Best Engines in 2006! Sealed transmissions elude fluid access to function like regular transmission systems without requiring fluid changes for maintenance. A sealed transmission has fill and inspection plugs, with the inspection plug removing excess fluid and the fill plug adding fluid. Nobody told me during my tenure in ‘shop class!’ Knorr’s Automotive wants $55Ø to fix an exhaust leak, which is their disastrous mishandling. This situation is only going to get marked by more confusion & errors. Vehicle fires are rare and small leaks in fuel tanks or lines can ignite, in defective vehicles during crashes.

NHTSA ODI #11555753

172,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

ON 01/19/2018 I PURCHASED 03,GRAND AM GT.THE SAME DAY THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.IT WAS TOWED TO MY HOME THEN BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT I WAS ADVISED THAT IT NEEDED COIL PACK , ALTERNATOR,.THESE REPAIRS WHERE MADE BY ME OUT OF POCKET.ON 03/09/18THE CAR OVER HEATED AND AGAIN HAD TO BE TOWED HOME THEN TO …

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ON 01/19/2018 I PURCHASED 03,GRAND AM GT.THE SAME DAY THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.IT WAS TOWED TO MY HOME THEN BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT I WAS ADVISED THAT IT NEEDED COIL PACK , ALTERNATOR,.THESE REPAIRS WHERE MADE BY ME OUT OF POCKET.ON 03/09/18THE CAR OVER HEATED AND AGAIN HAD TO BE TOWED HOME THEN TO A SHOP WHERE I PAID TO HAVE A WATER PUMP PUT ON AGAIN OUT OF POCKET.AFTER HAVING THESE PARTS PUT ON THE CAR WOULD NOT START.I WAS INFORMED THAT IT MAY BE THE FUEL PUMP.I THEN PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE A FUEL PUMP PUT ON.IT STILL WOULD NOT START.ON 03/20/18 I CONTACTED GM AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS INFACT A RECALL ABOUT ALL OF THE ISSUE'S I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR.I WAS GIVEN AN APT FOR 03/22/18 TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE GM DEALERSHIP.UPON MY ARRIVAL I WAS ADVISED THAT THESE RECALLS HAD BEEN PREFORM ED ON (11/1/02 (JCN 25863)AND AGAIN ON 12/3/14 (025777) .I WAS THE ADVISED THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED 111.00 DOLLARS JUST FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHEN I CONTACTED GM THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME OF ANY OF THIS INFORMATION.I FOUND IT TO BE A WASTE OF MY TIME AS WELL AS THE GM DEALERSHIP.HAD THEY INFORMED ME OF A FEE I WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN IT IN ON THAT DAY AS I DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE WHAT NEEDED DONE. I WAS GIVEN A TICKET NUMBER(8-4018839531) AND ADVISED THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN CONTACT.

NHTSA ODI #11081014

82,000 miles · Feb 13, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR INTENSIFIED WHEN THE HEAT WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR INTENSIFIED WHEN THE HEAT WAS ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10954240

58,494 miles · Jul 13, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE PRECEDING VEHICLE REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP AND IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A TECHNICIAN FROM THE MANUFACTURER CAME OUT TO ASSESS THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE PROCEDURE WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,494.

NHTSA ODI #10733585

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

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

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.