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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

What owners actually said

325 reports
97,068 miles · Jun 13, 2010
Electrical System

THIS IS REGARDING A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THERE IS DEFIANTLY A DEFECT WITH THE SECURITY/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THE SAME EXACT CAR, AND THEY ARE ALL ASKING, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL??? IT ORIGINALLY STARTED BACK IN MARCH OF 2010 WITH…

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THIS IS REGARDING A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THERE IS DEFIANTLY A DEFECT WITH THE SECURITY/ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING WITH THE SAME EXACT CAR, AND THEY ARE ALL ASKING, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL??? IT ORIGINALLY STARTED BACK IN MARCH OF 2010 WITH THE CAR TURNING OVER WHEN STARTED, THEN SHUTTING OFF RIGHT AWAY WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHING ON THE DASH. AFTER A BIT OF RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT I COULD JUST TURN THE KEY TO THE ACC AND WAIT 10 MINUTES AND THE SYSTEM WILL RESET. BUT THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY 2 WEEKS OR SO, AND MAKES THE CAR PRETTY UNRELIABLE, JUST FOR THAT FACT. THEN ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO 5/26/10 I WAS DRIVING HOME AND IT SHUT OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. ON THE HIGHWAY. I COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED. NOW IT WON'T START AT ALL AND IT'S BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WONT LET IT. IF SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? THIS IS DEFIANTLY A SAFETY ISSUE IF IT IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING. I UNDERSTAND THAT GM HAS GOTTEN A RECT GOVERNMENT BAIL OUT AND A HUGE RECALL LIKE THIS WILL NOT LOOK GOOD ON THE RESUME, BUT HOW CAN THEY EXPECT TO STAY IN BUSINESS WHEN THEY ARE KNOWINGLY PUTTING OUT SYSTEMS THAT FAIL? IT'S FRUSTRATING, BECAUSE MY CAR IS PERFECT, ALL EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE PROBLEM THAT IS QUITE COSTLY. I AM ALSO READING THAT OTHERS ARE DROPPING HUNDREDS TO "FIX" THIS PROBLEM, ONLY TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE OCCUR WITHIN WEEKS. I JUST DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO PLAY AROUND WITH, AND I'D RATHER NOT WORRY THAT EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR THAT IT MIGHT JUST SHUT OFF ON ME. IT COULD GET ME KILLED, AND THAT'S A REALITY. IT COULD DO THE SAME TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT CAR. WHO WANTS THAT MUCH BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336093

102,000 miles · May 19, 2010
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS; THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR EXPENSES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10331220

98,000 miles · Apr 10, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT STARTED NOT STARTING 8 MONTHS AGO, NOT A REGULAR THING ON/OFF, BEEN TOWED NUMEROUS TIMES HAS COST ALOT OF MONEY IN FEES, HAD NEW IGNITION, NEW KEY. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. TRIED TURNING KEY ON WAITING 10 MINUTES DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. CAR WILL START WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, SOMETIMES LEAVING MY YOUNG DAUG…

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2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT STARTED NOT STARTING 8 MONTHS AGO, NOT A REGULAR THING ON/OFF, BEEN TOWED NUMEROUS TIMES HAS COST ALOT OF MONEY IN FEES, HAD NEW IGNITION, NEW KEY. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. TRIED TURNING KEY ON WAITING 10 MINUTES DOESN'T CHANGE ANYTHING. CAR WILL START WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT, SOMETIMES LEAVING MY YOUNG DAUGHTER AT WORK LATE AT NIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324860

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2010
Exterior Lighting

2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM, THE CAR TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTION THAT LEADS TO FLICKERING AND SOMETIMES FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED OR NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320302

113,623 miles · Mar 11, 2010
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HE NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE EXTERIOR HAZARD LIGHTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE MULTI TURN SIGNAL HAZARD SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE FACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HE NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE EXTERIOR HAZARD LIGHTS AND DETERMINED THAT THE MULTI TURN SIGNAL HAZARD SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO OUTSIDE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY AND ALL REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,623 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10318805

41,156 miles · Mar 4, 2010
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE POWER STEERING FAILED CONSISTENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE POWER STEERING FAILED CONSISTENTLY IN COLD WEATHER. WHENEVER THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,156.

NHTSA ODI #10316669

74,797 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM WITH A FACTORY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM. WHILE APPROACHING A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPERATING, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM WITH A FACTORY INSTALLED SECURITY SYSTEM. WHILE APPROACHING A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE OPERATING, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. ON A LATER DATE, THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE SHOP. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE SECURITY SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. HE ADVISED PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IN THE ON POSITION WITHOUT STARTING, WAIT FOR THE RED SECURITY SYSTEM LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING (10-15 MINUTES) AND THEN PROCEED TO START THE IGNITION. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT FOLLOWED THE MECHANIC'S PREVIOUS ADVICE AND WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT YET BEEN CONTACTED. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,797.

NHTSA ODI #10314641

58,000 miles · Jan 6, 2010
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN INSIDE OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS REPLACED 3 YEARS PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58000.

NHTSA ODI #10298446

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2009
Structure

MY 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM DASH BOARD IS COMPLETELY STARTING TO LIFT FROM THE FOUNDATION IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO FOLD BACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. WE USE THE HEAT PROTECTOR VISOR AND DESPITE IT IS STILL LIFTING. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD AFFECT T…

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MY 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM DASH BOARD IS COMPLETELY STARTING TO LIFT FROM THE FOUNDATION IT HAS ALSO STARTED TO FOLD BACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER SIDE. WE USE THE HEAT PROTECTOR VISOR AND DESPITE IT IS STILL LIFTING. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD AFFECT THE AIR BAGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295093

98,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Electrical System

AFTER PUMPING GAS CAME BACK TO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD POWER BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. BANGED ON FUEL LINE, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT OUT OF THE GAS TERMINAL. EVENTUALLY FIGURED OUT THAT IF I PUT MY KEY IN ACCESSORY MODE AND SAT FOR 10-15MINS TO WAIT FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP BLINKIN…

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AFTER PUMPING GAS CAME BACK TO MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START. I HAD POWER BUT IT WOULDN'T TURN OVER. BANGED ON FUEL LINE, REPLACED SPARK PLUGS. PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSHED IT OUT OF THE GAS TERMINAL. EVENTUALLY FIGURED OUT THAT IF I PUT MY KEY IN ACCESSORY MODE AND SAT FOR 10-15MINS TO WAIT FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP BLINKING THAT MY CAR WOULD START BACK UP AGAIN. IT WAS FINE FOR A MONTH THEN HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL LINE. HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. EVENTUALLY STARTED AFTER PUTTING IT IN ACCESSORY AGAIN. A PART OF THE BCM WAS CLEANED. NOW THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY, TO THE CAR NOT STARTING ALMOST EVERY OTHER DAY. WHILE IT HASN'T BEEN DIAGNOSED, MOST LIKELY IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. THE PAST 4 TIMES THE CAR HASN'T STARTED, I PUT MY KEY IN ACC AND SAT FOR 10 MINS THEN IT STARTS BACK UP AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287115

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.