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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

Visibility complaints

15 reports
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82,000 miles · Mar 15, 2016
StructureVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME AND FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

NHTSA ODI #10849806

90,000 miles · Oct 31, 2014
StructureVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED AND THE WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE DASHBOARD DETERIORATED AND THE WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS INOPERABLE. ALSO, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10651628

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

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2011
Visibility

ARE YOU KIDDING ME! MY WINDOWS ON MY 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT HAVE QUIT WORKING. HAS HAPPENED TO 3 OF MY WINDOWS, DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND BOTH BACK WINDOWS, YESTERDAY WHEN IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN BASICALLY SIDEWAYS MY WINDOW WHICH I HAVE HAD TO RIG TO STAY UP WITH TAPE STILL CAME DOWN WHICH ALLOWED POWERFUL WIND AND RAIN TO START…

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ARE YOU KIDDING ME! MY WINDOWS ON MY 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT HAVE QUIT WORKING. HAS HAPPENED TO 3 OF MY WINDOWS, DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND BOTH BACK WINDOWS, YESTERDAY WHEN IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN BASICALLY SIDEWAYS MY WINDOW WHICH I HAVE HAD TO RIG TO STAY UP WITH TAPE STILL CAME DOWN WHICH ALLOWED POWERFUL WIND AND RAIN TO START POURING INTO MY CAR AS I TRIED TO PULL OVER TO PUSH IT BACK UP ANOTHER ONE FELL, LOL. MY CAR WAS SOAKING I WAS SOAKING AND I ALMOST GOT INTO A WRECK BECAUSE OF IT, NOT A SAFETY ISSUE MY [XXX]! A DIFFERENT TIME MY GIRLFRIEND HAD TO UNDO HER SEAT BELT AND CRAWL FROM THE FRONT SEAT INTO THE BACK TO HOLD A WINDOW UP DURING A RAIN STORM, WHAT THE [XXX] GIVES GM? I WOULD LOVE TO GET THIS FIXED BUT NOT ONLY CAN I NOT AFFORD IT BUT I HAVE SEEN THE PLASTIC PIECE IN MY WINDOW AND IT HAS PIECES BROKEN OFF IN 7 DIFFERENT PLACES. THIS IS INSANE! GM IS RAPING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, NO WONDER PEOPLE BY FOREIGN CARS, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PONTIAC MAN BUT I MAY BE LOOKING INTO A HONDA OR SOMETHING SOON! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373750

123,000 miles · Nov 22, 2010
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR WINDSHIELD BROKE INTO PIECES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO MADE AN APPOINTMENT AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 123,000.

NHTSA ODI #10367133

101,100 miles · Apr 3, 2009
StructureVisibility

BOUGHT 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT NEW IN MARCH 2003. MOONROOF AND DRIVER WINDOW LEAKED WATER FREQUENTLY, WHILE POWER WINDOWS "CLUNKED" WHEN GOING DOWN. TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THESE PROBLEMS IN 2005-2006 WHILE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; ONLY MOONROOF WAS REPAIRED, DEALER CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH WINDOWS. WINDOWS CONTINUE…

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BOUGHT 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT NEW IN MARCH 2003. MOONROOF AND DRIVER WINDOW LEAKED WATER FREQUENTLY, WHILE POWER WINDOWS "CLUNKED" WHEN GOING DOWN. TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES FOR THESE PROBLEMS IN 2005-2006 WHILE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY; ONLY MOONROOF WAS REPAIRED, DEALER CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH WINDOWS. WINDOWS CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN SLOWLY, MAKING LOUD NOISES WHEN GOING DOWN, AND HESITATING WHEN GOING UP. IN JANUARY 2009, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING ENTIRELY; IN FEBRUARY 2009, PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ALSO STOPPED WORKING. CONTACTED DEALER, EXPLAINED SITUATION, AND EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION OVER NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THESE PROBLEMS ADDRESSED WHILE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER NOT WILLING TO ADMIT TO FAILURE TO ADDRESS ISSUES WITH WINDOWS, AND WILL ONLY PERFORM WINDOW REPAIR AT FULL PRICE. REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $1030. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264103

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2007
Visibility

SUN-ROOF HAS LEAKED SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR ONLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE THE TUBE WHICH DRAINS APPEARS TO BE TOO SMALL FOR DRAINAGE. I AM CONTINUOUSLY HAVING TO GET THE TUBE BLOWN WITH AIR PRESSURE HOSE. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER TWICE WHICH THEY CLAIM WAS FIXED NOT SO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205701

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2007
Visibility

WINDOW BROKE OFF AND KNOW AT LEAST 5 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10189829

64,000 miles · Oct 18, 2006
Visibility

DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW WONT ROLL UP OR DOWN AND THE REGULATOR IS FINE AND SO IS THE MOTOR. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171145

59,000 miles · Sep 29, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DID NOT GO DOWN. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE MOTOR AND SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10169598

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.