Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
350–25K
4825–50K
5250–75K
3975–100K
41100–150K
23150K+
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
What owners actually said
325 reports
91,000 miles · Feb 8, 2011
Electrical System
MY GIRLFRIENDS 03 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT JUST STOPPED STARTING....IT RAN FINE TODAY..THEN WHEN WE GOT HOME AND SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THEN CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE I TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING! LIKE ALL THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WORKS..I TOOK A SCREW DRIVER AND TRIED JUMPING THE STARTER AND IT JUST SPINS FREELY AND DOESN'…
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MY GIRLFRIENDS 03 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT JUST STOPPED STARTING....IT RAN FINE TODAY..THEN WHEN WE GOT HOME AND SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THEN CAME BACK OUT TO LEAVE I TURNED THE KEY AND NOTHING! LIKE ALL THE LIGHTS AND EVERYTHING WORKS..I TOOK A SCREW DRIVER AND TRIED JUMPING THE STARTER AND IT JUST SPINS FREELY AND DOESN'T ENGAGE THE FLYWHEEL..IT'S HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE..WHAT'S THE PROBLEM AND HOW DO I FIX IT? WE NEED IT FIXED ASAP!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381076
109,000 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Electrical System
03 GRAND AM. TO START OFF WITH, I HAD THE SAME RANDOM CLICKING SOUND. I BOUGHT A NEW SWITCH FROM ADVANCED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. FOR YEARS NOW THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN DRIVING RANDOMLY, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF OR NOT TURN ON. BUT NOW I AM HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. SOMETIMES CRUIS…
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03 GRAND AM. TO START OFF WITH, I HAD THE SAME RANDOM CLICKING SOUND. I BOUGHT A NEW SWITCH FROM ADVANCED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. FOR YEARS NOW THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON WHEN DRIVING RANDOMLY, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT SHUT OFF OR NOT TURN ON. BUT NOW I AM HAVING MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH EVERYTHING ELSE. SOMETIMES CRUISE CONTROL CUTS OFF ON ITS OWN. WHEN I START THE CAR SOMETIMES NOTHING ELECTRICAL WILL COME ON. SOMETIMES THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL BUT NOT THE A/C CONTROLS OR HEADLIGHTS. OR VISE VERSE. IT IS ALL RANDOM. IT WILL EVENTUALLY COME ON WHEN DRIVING. IF I DRIVE IN THE DARK, I HAVE TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHTS, SO THERE IS AN ISSUE. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL A RECALL IS MADE BECAUSE PONTIAC DOES NOT CARE ABOUT US BECAUSE WE ALREADY PAID FOR THE CAR. I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. I CANNOT AFFORD DEALER PRICES. SO DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX THE ISSUES? *LN
NHTSA ODI #10379802
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
115,000 miles · Dec 3, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO SIGNAL TO TURN LEFT, HE NOTICED THAT THE SIGNAL FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10369111
102,630 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Electrical System
THE SECURITY LIGHT IN MY CAR FLASHES AND MY CAR WONT START LEAVING ME & MY KIDS STRANDED. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. WE HAVE CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD TO CHANGE THE BRAIN OR THE IGNITION. TIRED OF BEING STRANDED W MY KIDS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368269
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
50,000 miles · Oct 5, 2010
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT START. HE REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE VEHICLE AGAIN WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE SECURITY …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND UPON TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT START. HE REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT THE VEHICLE AGAIN WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND HE WAS ALSO INFORMED OF A METHOD TO BYPASS THE FAILURE IN CASE IT RECURS. THE FAILURE HAS SINCE RECURRED 20 TIMES. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURES THE HORN WOULD ALSO BEGIN TO SOUND. AFTER THE FINAL FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10359337
99,000 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10358049
Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2010
Electrical System
I HAVE 3 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 GRAND-AM AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH I'VE FOUND OUT THAT NUMEROUS OF OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. 1ST COMPLAINT-THE PASS LOCK SECURITY. WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. THIS MAY HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. MY LAST GRAND-AM DID THE SAME THING. I FOUND…
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I HAVE 3 DIFFERENT PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 GRAND-AM AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH I'VE FOUND OUT THAT NUMEROUS OF OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. 1ST COMPLAINT-THE PASS LOCK SECURITY. WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. THIS MAY HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. MY LAST GRAND-AM DID THE SAME THING. I FOUND THAT YOU HAVE TO TURN TO KEY TO THE ON POSITION AND WAIT 10 MINUTES. ON SATURDAY I HAD 4 STOPS TO MAKE AND ALL 4 TIMES IT WOULD NOT START. 2ND COMPLAINT- I'VE ALMOST GOTTEN REAR ENDED DUE TO THE FACT MY TURN SIGNALS DO NOT WORK ALL THE TIME. IV'E READ ON SEVERAL POST SIGHTS THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SEVERAL SAID THAT WHEN THE HAZARD BUTTON WAS REPLACED IT THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED. 3RD PROBLEM AND THE MOST SERIOUS. SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR FROM OUT OF NOWHERE MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. TWICE I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT AND HAD MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST TOOK OFF, THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT CLOSE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE REARENDED THAT CAR. MY HUSBAND TOLD ME TO LOOK AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON MY CAR. I DID AND I FOUND OUT THAT 2003 GRAND AMS WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED GM AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN# DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE VIN RANGE!!! I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND MY VIN# IS NOT IN THE SAME RANGE????...I DON'T GET IT. WHY ARE THESE PROBLEMS NOT BEING LOOKED INTO BY GM? IF SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WHY IS GM NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10354168
104,718 miles · Aug 27, 2010
SteeringFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITH SMOKE EMITTING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WITH SMOKE EMITTING. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STEERING COLUMN MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,718.
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.
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.
2003 Pontiac Grand Am Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year