IllustrationTHE OTHER DRIVER RAN A RED LIGHT AND I T-BONED HER JEEP, THE CRASH SPUN MY GRAND AM AROUND AND RIPPED THE FRONT END ALMOST ALL THE WAY OFF MY CAR. MY AIR-BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY I SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO MY SHOULDER THAT IS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. AS HARD AS THE HIT WAS, MY AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. WHY DID IT NOT? *JS
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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
Air Bags complaints
20 reportsI WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM A WEEKEND TRIP AT THE LAKE, WHEN MY CAR MADE A CHIMING NOISE (LIKE THE NOISE IT MAKES WHEN YOU NEED GAS.) THEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHED A FEW TIMES THEN WENT OFF. IT KEPT FLASHING EVERY NOW AND AGAIN UNTIL WE MADE A STOP. THE REST OF THE WAY HOME IT DIDN'T MAKE A NOISE OR FLASH. THEN A F…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM A WEEKEND TRIP AT THE LAKE, WHEN MY CAR MADE A CHIMING NOISE (LIKE THE NOISE IT MAKES WHEN YOU NEED GAS.) THEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND FLASHED A FEW TIMES THEN WENT OFF. IT KEPT FLASHING EVERY NOW AND AGAIN UNTIL WE MADE A STOP. THE REST OF THE WAY HOME IT DIDN'T MAKE A NOISE OR FLASH. THEN A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND IT MADE THE SOUND AGAIN AND STARTED FLASHING. I AM ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THE AIR BAG TO GO OFF WITH OUT BEING IN A WRECK, BUT THEN I AM ALSO AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT GO OFF IF I GET IN A WRECK. *TR
THE CONSUMER REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN GETTING A COPY OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT. THE VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT, AND WRITTEN MONETARY SETTLEMENT FM GM, HIS DAUGHTER WAS INJURED IN THE 2003 PONTIAC AM. *BF THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING CORRESPONDENCE FROM GM. UPDATED THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS IN A SINGLE ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE. …
Read full complaint
THE CONSUMER REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN GETTING A COPY OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT. THE VEHICLE INSPECTION REPORT, AND WRITTEN MONETARY SETTLEMENT FM GM, HIS DAUGHTER WAS INJURED IN THE 2003 PONTIAC AM. *BF THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING CORRESPONDENCE FROM GM. UPDATED THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER WAS IN A SINGLE ACCIDENT ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED IN WET RAINY CONDITIONS AND SHE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL, THEN SPUN AROUND AND SEVERED A LIGHT POLE. THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *SC *JB THE CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED REQUESTED DATA DEFINED ON THE 0500-05/01/05 MEMO. *SC AS OF 3/28/2006 THE CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED THE FIELD ASSESSMENT REPORT. *NM UPDATED 05/09/06 THE CONSUMER STATED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE BBB WILL BE CONTACTING NHTSA IN THE NEAR FUTURE. UPDATED 07/13/06. *JB
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS IN HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONT AND BOTH SIDES DAMAGE. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN THE CAR. I HAVE FOUND A COMPLAINT THAT WAS FILED ABOUT ANOTHER AIRBAG THAT DID NOT DEPLOY. I AM WONDERING HOW MANY MORE THERE ARE. *NM
I DROVE FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, HEADING TO RENO, NV TO VISIT FAMILY. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE1 3.4L. THE CONDITIONS OF THE ROAD WERE WET, AS IT WAS RAINING. THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WAS 75MPH - I WAS TRAVELLING AT 68MPH. I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT, IN FORT BRIDGER, WYOMING. A SEMI-TRUCK CUT IN…
Read full complaint
I DROVE FROM THE STATE OF VIRGINIA, HEADING TO RENO, NV TO VISIT FAMILY. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE1 3.4L. THE CONDITIONS OF THE ROAD WERE WET, AS IT WAS RAINING. THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WAS 75MPH - I WAS TRAVELLING AT 68MPH. I WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT, IN FORT BRIDGER, WYOMING. A SEMI-TRUCK CUT IN FRONT OF ME, IN THE LEFT LANE, FROM THE RIGHT LANE - SPLASHING ALOT OF WATER OVER MY VEHICLE. I HYDROPLANED AND MY CAR SPUN OUT OF CONTROL TO THE RIGHT. I HIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD GUARD RAIL WITH THE LEFT/FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE CAR SLID ACROSS THE ROAD RAMMING THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD GUARD RAIL, DEAD CENTER IN THE REAR END. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT, BUT I WAS STILL SLAMMED AND JOLTED FORWARD AND SIDEWAYS. NEITHER OF MY DUAL FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE SPEED THAT WAS CALCULATED BY THE HIGHWAY PATROL AT THE TIME THAT I HIT THE GUARD RAIL WAS AT A MINIMUM OF 60-65MPH. THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH EITHER IMPACT OF THE FRONT AND REAR, AT A MINIMUM SPEED OF 35MPH, AND THEY DID NOT. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE INCIDENT.
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…
Read full complaint
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
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM. AS A RESULT THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A BRIDGE, SPUN AROUND AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK *NLM
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAND ON COLLISION. CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOVLED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Official recalls
214V400000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.