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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
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2005
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

DURING AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES FELT CHOPPY. *NBF THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *TC *TT *SC THE CONSUMER SENT IN A FOLLOW UP LETTER INCLUDING A POLICE NARRATIVE THAT EXPLAINED THAT THE CONSUMER WAS SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL, WENT ACROSS AN EXIT AND STRUCK A LIGHT PO…

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DURING AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER ALSO INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES FELT CHOPPY. *NBF THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *TC *TT *SC THE CONSUMER SENT IN A FOLLOW UP LETTER INCLUDING A POLICE NARRATIVE THAT EXPLAINED THAT THE CONSUMER WAS SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL, WENT ACROSS AN EXIT AND STRUCK A LIGHT POLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY EDGE WHILE IT WAS RAINING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT DURING THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS STICKING DURING THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO GET BACK TO HIM IN REFERENCE TO THE FINDINGS OF THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION. *TC *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A LISTING OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10095491

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

I HAVE A PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 MODEL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND I HAD MY CAR FIXED. I HAD THE RECALL FIXED AND ABOUT A WEEK LATER I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP DUE TO THE THE ACCELERATOR CONTIUING TO ACCELERATE AND MY BRAKE NOT ALLOWING ME TO STOP. MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, MY…

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I HAVE A PONTIAC GRAND AM 2003 MODEL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR FOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND I HAD MY CAR FIXED. I HAD THE RECALL FIXED AND ABOUT A WEEK LATER I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH MY CAR WOULD NOT STOP DUE TO THE THE ACCELERATOR CONTIUING TO ACCELERATE AND MY BRAKE NOT ALLOWING ME TO STOP. MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, MY WIND SHIELD SHATTERED, MY FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW, EVERYTHING UNDER NEATH MY CAR WAS DAMAGED. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT I HAVE HAD A CLAIM WITH GM AND I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY THAT THEY ARE DENYING MY CLAIM. WHEN I WAS ASKED TO SEE THE REPORT THEY REFUSED SAYING IT WAS PROPERTY OF GM AND I DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE IT. TO ME I FEEL THAT I DO CONSIDERING THAT IT IS THERE FAULT THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS AND I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE SOME PROOF ON THERE REASONING FOR SAYING THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COVER THE DAMAGES AND TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE WITH 2003 GRAND AM BE CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN TO YOU BECAUSE IT MAY BE WORSE THE NEXT TIME FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

NHTSA ODI #10119918

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2005
Seat Belts

MY THREE YEAR OLD SON CAN PULL THE SEAT BELT FROM HIS BODY WHILE HE IS SITTING IN HIS BOOSTER SEAT. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK AND THUS THERE IS NO WAY TO KEEP HIM IN THE SEAT IF HE WANTS TO GET OUT. OUR VAN AND OTHER CARS HAVE LOCKING SEAT BELTS WHICH MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO PULL THE BELT AWAY FROM HIS BODY. WE HAVE U…

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MY THREE YEAR OLD SON CAN PULL THE SEAT BELT FROM HIS BODY WHILE HE IS SITTING IN HIS BOOSTER SEAT. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK AND THUS THERE IS NO WAY TO KEEP HIM IN THE SEAT IF HE WANTS TO GET OUT. OUR VAN AND OTHER CARS HAVE LOCKING SEAT BELTS WHICH MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO PULL THE BELT AWAY FROM HIS BODY. WE HAVE USED OTHER CAR SEATS WITH A HARNESS BUT HE IS GETTING TOO BIG TO USE THAT TYPE OF SEAT ANY MORE.

NHTSA ODI #10119809

36,000 miles · Apr 25, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES AND IS ALREADY HAVING MAJOR BRAKE ISSUES. I THINK FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 2YEARS OLD THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. I BELIEVE THAT SUBPAR PARTS AND MANUFACTURING PROCEDURES ARE TO BLAME, AND I BELIEVE THAT THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT YOUR COST NOT THE CONSUMERS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118438

33,000 miles · Apr 18, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE ENGINE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL TO GAIN CONTROL. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112876

18,500 miles · Mar 12, 2005
SteeringCrash

STEERING IS VERY LOOSE, AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10114000

8,000 miles · Mar 2, 2005
Steering

WHILE DRIVING PRESSURE BUILDS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP, AND BLOWS THE CAPS OFF. THE FLUIDS IN THE VEHICLE GO EVERY WHERE. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER NINE TIMES. DEALER DOES NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10113269

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingInterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED ON AND OFF. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WAS THE CAUSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10111336

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2005
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. CONSUMER STATES HE WAS DENIED SERVICE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10111107

10,000 miles · Feb 3, 2005
Structure

I MIGHT BE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE HERE, BUT HERE GOES. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE. I HAVE LOOKED EVERY TIME I HEARD IT MAKE NOISE AND COULD FIND NOTHING. TODAY I LOOKED AGAIN AND WAS HORRIFIED AT THE DAMAGE. SEEMS THE DOOR AND LEFT FRONT FENDER ARE NOW HITTING EVERY TIME THE DOOR IS OPENED. THERE IS M…

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I MIGHT BE PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE HERE, BUT HERE GOES. MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE. I HAVE LOOKED EVERY TIME I HEARD IT MAKE NOISE AND COULD FIND NOTHING. TODAY I LOOKED AGAIN AND WAS HORRIFIED AT THE DAMAGE. SEEMS THE DOOR AND LEFT FRONT FENDER ARE NOW HITTING EVERY TIME THE DOOR IS OPENED. THERE IS MORE THAN PAINT INVOLVED HERE. THERE IS METAL CONTACTING. THERE HAS BEEN NO COLLISION OR ANY TYPE OF IMPACT SO I'M AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THIS. I WILL BE TAKING THIS TO THE DEALER IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS BUT I'M A CYNIC AND HAVE FAITH THEY WILL TELL ME I HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO CAUSE THIS. I WILL ALSO BE GOING TO OTHER BODY SHOPS FOR THOUGHTS, IDEAS AND OPINIONS. THE REASON I AM WRITING IS BECAUSE I HAD A 2000 GRAND AM BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE. THE DOOR ON THAT CAR MADE NOISE ALSO. I LOOKED AND FOUND NOTHING. NOT LONG BEFORE I TRADED IT IN, A QUARTER SIZED PATCH OF PAINT CAME OFF THE DOOR IN THE SAME AREA I NOW HAVE DAMAGE ON. IT WAS THERE ONE DAY AND GONE THE NEXT. ONCE AGAIN, I CAN ONLY SAY THAT THERE WAS NO CRASH OR ANY TYPE OF IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I HAD MADE A MENTAL NOTE TO LOOK AT THE "DOOR MEETS FENDER" DESIGN WHEN I LOOKED AT THIS CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE DESIGN HAD CHANGED. THERE WERE MORE CURVES TO THE JOINING VS THE STRAIGHTER EDGES OF THE OLDER MODEL. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT HAD BEEN CHANGED BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM I HAD EXPERIENCED. NOW, OF COURSE, I'M JUST MAD AS HELL. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS SITE BEFORE OR WOULD HAVE REPORTED THE FIRST INCIDENT WITH THE FIRST GRAND AM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10108470

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.