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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.

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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

Electrical System complaints

134 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

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NHTSA ODI #11678132

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower TrainInjury

Engine has lost power from 150hp @ 3K RPM and 200ft·lb @ 4K RPM. It is now 50hp @ ½K RPM & 75ft·lb @ 2K revolutions per minute. Gear Shift Button has seperated from globe. Radio needs to be replaced or reset daily. Rear window defroster has seperated from window, and won’t retain position. Tire Pressure Monitoring System ha…

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Engine has lost power from 150hp @ 3K RPM and 200ft·lb @ 4K RPM. It is now 50hp @ ½K RPM & 75ft·lb @ 2K revolutions per minute. Gear Shift Button has seperated from globe. Radio needs to be replaced or reset daily. Rear window defroster has seperated from window, and won’t retain position. Tire Pressure Monitoring System hasn’t worked to no avail. Turn signals are showing discrepancies when activated from switch.

NHTSA ODI #11556788

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeatsInjury

Korr’s Automotive wants $55Ø to repair our exhaust leak. Fuel lines are too close to engine, which can cause death or injury upon impact. You’re welcome for [XXXXXX] upon request! Driver seat is out of commission on power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11555755

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemSeatsInjury

Ecotec Gen I was re–engineered to be smoother and more efficient than its predecessor. Featuring an dual in–block balance shafts, power–steering pump, water–pump housing, and removable oil filter housing. This engine replaced the Quad–4 and GM 122 in North America and first appeared. GM offers an official kit which can be co…

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Ecotec Gen I was re–engineered to be smoother and more efficient than its predecessor. Featuring an dual in–block balance shafts, power–steering pump, water–pump housing, and removable oil filter housing. This engine replaced the Quad–4 and GM 122 in North America and first appeared. GM offers an official kit which can be converted into 2.2 supercharged versions using modified ECM software. Model L42 is an CNG version of the Ecotec 2.2, producing 129 hp and 129 ft⋅lb. This LSJ was listed as one of Ward's 10 Best Engines in 2006! Sealed transmissions elude fluid access to function like regular transmission systems without requiring fluid changes for maintenance. A sealed transmission has fill and inspection plugs, with the inspection plug removing excess fluid and the fill plug adding fluid. Nobody told me during my tenure in ‘shop class!’ Knorr’s Automotive wants $55Ø to fix an exhaust leak, which is their disastrous mishandling. This situation is only going to get marked by more confusion & errors. Vehicle fires are rare and small leaks in fuel tanks or lines can ignite, in defective vehicles during crashes.

NHTSA ODI #11555753

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2023
Electrical SystemService BrakesStructureCrash

Body, Brakes, and Electrical concern me. My family owned a 1999 same model vehicle, and the brakes failed us in an accident from its’ left driver seal being punctured. Here is what’s going on with the 2003 aside from the latter mentioned. Exhaust from manifold to catalytic converter followed by muffler rusted out by 175,ØØØ m…

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Body, Brakes, and Electrical concern me. My family owned a 1999 same model vehicle, and the brakes failed us in an accident from its’ left driver seal being punctured. Here is what’s going on with the 2003 aside from the latter mentioned. Exhaust from manifold to catalytic converter followed by muffler rusted out by 175,ØØØ miles and now broke apart. Frame and rocker panels are rusted out before 175,ØØØ miles and broke apart by rear wheels on both sides. Electrical concerns caused me to quit my job on March 11, 2022 when the wipers quit working and nearly caused an accident by Chartiers Cemetery in a thunderstorm storm two days before. Front end vibration is felt in floor boards and steering wheel when brakes are applied at high speeds, usually between 45–75 as regulated by federal government. Disc brakes gradually replaced drum brakes from between 1960—1980. That practicality is debunked on these cars they didn’t utilise disc brakes on all both axles, which is my preference anyways for being mechanically–inclined. Koor’s confirmed our exhaust leak in Carnegie Pennsylvania and wants $5ØØ+ to replace the exhaust. Tireman Auto Service in Toledo Ohio confirmed the wiper malfunction, they replaced the window regulator and wiper transmission. Vehicle has been inspected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Goodyear, Pittsburgh Police Bureau, and State Farm Mutual Insurance. I allow you to contact them for references and any ticketing information. Assuming we can afford to be better than slumlords. Group activities are blessed to keep your peace of mind. Might as well watch from the fray from my point–of–view. Unless you would rather demand my escape other travel options, then I didn’t my own identity to be audited by your Internal Revenue Service. Vehicle is still available for inspection, and I would like your recommendation to convince the owner that your issued recall isn’t for your peace of mind. She needs your social stimulation to flourish.

NHTSA ODI #11532576

37,500 miles · Aug 17, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT BARKER BUICK GMC (2030 E IRELAND GROVE RD, BLOOMINGTON, IL 61704, (888) 894-2851) PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT BARKER BUICK GMC (2030 E IRELAND GROVE RD, BLOOMINGTON, IL 61704, (888) 894-2851) PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,500.

NHTSA ODI #11120673

172,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

ON 01/19/2018 I PURCHASED 03,GRAND AM GT.THE SAME DAY THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.IT WAS TOWED TO MY HOME THEN BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT I WAS ADVISED THAT IT NEEDED COIL PACK , ALTERNATOR,.THESE REPAIRS WHERE MADE BY ME OUT OF POCKET.ON 03/09/18THE CAR OVER HEATED AND AGAIN HAD TO BE TOWED HOME THEN TO …

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ON 01/19/2018 I PURCHASED 03,GRAND AM GT.THE SAME DAY THE CAR CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.IT WAS TOWED TO MY HOME THEN BACK TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT I WAS ADVISED THAT IT NEEDED COIL PACK , ALTERNATOR,.THESE REPAIRS WHERE MADE BY ME OUT OF POCKET.ON 03/09/18THE CAR OVER HEATED AND AGAIN HAD TO BE TOWED HOME THEN TO A SHOP WHERE I PAID TO HAVE A WATER PUMP PUT ON AGAIN OUT OF POCKET.AFTER HAVING THESE PARTS PUT ON THE CAR WOULD NOT START.I WAS INFORMED THAT IT MAY BE THE FUEL PUMP.I THEN PAID OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE A FUEL PUMP PUT ON.IT STILL WOULD NOT START.ON 03/20/18 I CONTACTED GM AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS INFACT A RECALL ABOUT ALL OF THE ISSUE'S I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR.I WAS GIVEN AN APT FOR 03/22/18 TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE GM DEALERSHIP.UPON MY ARRIVAL I WAS ADVISED THAT THESE RECALLS HAD BEEN PREFORM ED ON (11/1/02 (JCN 25863)AND AGAIN ON 12/3/14 (025777) .I WAS THE ADVISED THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED 111.00 DOLLARS JUST FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHEN I CONTACTED GM THEY FAILED TO INFORM ME OF ANY OF THIS INFORMATION.I FOUND IT TO BE A WASTE OF MY TIME AS WELL AS THE GM DEALERSHIP.HAD THEY INFORMED ME OF A FEE I WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN IT IN ON THAT DAY AS I DID NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY FOR THE WHAT NEEDED DONE. I WAS GIVEN A TICKET NUMBER(8-4018839531) AND ADVISED THAT SOMEONE WOULD BE IN CONTACT.

NHTSA ODI #11081014

20 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Electrical System

I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY LIGHT THAT STOPS FUEL FROM GETTING TO THE INJECTORS. HAVE TRIED TO RESET THE PASSWORD BUT IT CONTINUES TO DO IT. WE HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOSE POWER AND NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. WE HAVE BEEN LATE OR MISSED APPOINTMENTS AND WE ARE AFRAID TO GET INTO THE CAR BECAU…

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I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE SECURITY LIGHT THAT STOPS FUEL FROM GETTING TO THE INJECTORS. HAVE TRIED TO RESET THE PASSWORD BUT IT CONTINUES TO DO IT. WE HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND LOSE POWER AND NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. WE HAVE BEEN LATE OR MISSED APPOINTMENTS AND WE ARE AFRAID TO GET INTO THE CAR BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHEN OR WHERE IT WILL FAIL US. TURNS CAUSE IT TO LOSE POWER.

NHTSA ODI #10994238

177,233 miles · May 12, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WALK HIM THROUGH ON HOW TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WALK HIM THROUGH ON HOW TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,233.

NHTSA ODI #10985452

87,000 miles · Mar 5, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingFire

SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2015, I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT BATTLE WITH MY TURN SIGNAL ON PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR HINDERING MY ABILITY TO SIGNAL PROPERLY AND RENEWING MY STATE INSPECTION EACH YEAR. HAVE SPEND LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY ATTEMPTING TO FIX THIS ONLY TO REALIZE THIS IS WIDESPREAD AND VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH MY TYPE AND YEAR VEHICLE…

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SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2015, I HAVE HAD A CONSTANT BATTLE WITH MY TURN SIGNAL ON PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR HINDERING MY ABILITY TO SIGNAL PROPERLY AND RENEWING MY STATE INSPECTION EACH YEAR. HAVE SPEND LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY ATTEMPTING TO FIX THIS ONLY TO REALIZE THIS IS WIDESPREAD AND VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH MY TYPE AND YEAR VEHICLE. GM IS AWARE OF THIS DEALER SAFETY MALFUNCTION BUT IS ONLY RECALLED CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS AS TO FIX AS FEW AS POSSIBLE. NOT HAVING TURN SIGNALS HAS NEARLY CAUSED ME TO BE INVOLVED IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. PLEASE HELP ME AND TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO. NOW ON MY THIRD YEAR AND ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS ONGOING SAFETY DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10958673

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.