IllustrationSECURITY LIGHT ON, CAR WON'T START. *TR
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
What owners actually said
325 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…
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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
PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM MADE MY DAUGHTERS CAR GO DEAD AND IT WOULD NOT START. LEFT HER STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR HOURS. COME TO FIND OUT, THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH PONTIAC GRAND AMS. WOULD THIS NOT JUSTIFY A RECALL? DON'T KNOW IF THIS QUALIFIES, BUT SURE NEEDS LOOKING INTO. AGREE? *TR
I HAVE THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM ON MY 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. I WAS PARKED AT A STORE. I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE KEY ON IN THE IGNITION. MY WIFE LIFTED THE HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER'S DOOR. THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, BUT MY DOOR WAS OPEN. THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND AFTER SHE LIFTED THE DOOR HANDLE THE IGNITION SHUT OFF. I …
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I HAVE THE PASSLOCK SECURITY SYSTEM ON MY 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. I WAS PARKED AT A STORE. I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE KEY ON IN THE IGNITION. MY WIFE LIFTED THE HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER'S DOOR. THE DOOR WAS LOCKED, BUT MY DOOR WAS OPEN. THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND AFTER SHE LIFTED THE DOOR HANDLE THE IGNITION SHUT OFF. I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR. THE CAR WAS CRANKING BUT WOULD NOT START. THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON THE DASH BOARD. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. I WASN'T ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE KEY WAS BOUGHT USED IN OCTOBER 2006. THE CAR ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES ON THE ENGINE AND IS UP TO DATE ON MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL INTERNET SITES THAT THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM HAS A HISTORY OF CUTTING OFF THE ENGINE EVEN WITH THE CAR'S KEY. *TR
IN OCTOBER 2006 THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. ALSO, HE TOLD ME THAT THE SECURITY SWITCH HAD BEEN TRIGGERED SO IT STALLED THE ENGINE. IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN I WAS SUPPOSED TO TURN THE CAR TO THE ON POSITION AND WAIT 10 MINUTES THEN START IT. THE CAR WORKED UNTIL APRIL 3, 2007…
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IN OCTOBER 2006 THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. HE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. ALSO, HE TOLD ME THAT THE SECURITY SWITCH HAD BEEN TRIGGERED SO IT STALLED THE ENGINE. IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN I WAS SUPPOSED TO TURN THE CAR TO THE ON POSITION AND WAIT 10 MINUTES THEN START IT. THE CAR WORKED UNTIL APRIL 3, 2007. THE SAME POROBLEM RECURRED. THE MECHANIC REPLACEDD THE STARTER, BUT COULDN'T FIND ANYTHINGELSE WRONG. NOW I HAVE TO TURN TO THE ON POSITION AND WAIT FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE THEN START IT. THIS ONLY WORKED ABOUT HALF THE TIME. THE OTHER HALF I HAVE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL THEN START IT. THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE I NEVER KNEW WHEN I WILL BE STGRANDED. *AK
THERE IS A CLICKING UNDER MY HAZARD LIGHTS. WHEN I USE THE TURN SIGNAL IS GOES TO THE REGULAR RHYTHM. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME.*AK
2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM FRONT WHEEL DRIVER'S RIGHT DRIVE SURGED FORWARD OF DRIVER'S LEFT AT HIGHWAY 55 MPH. RIGHT REAR OF PONTIAC GRAND AM SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY ROLLED ONE AND ONE HALF TIMES. SEAT BELT RESTRAINED DRIVER. HOWEVER, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WILL CONTINUE TO CLICK EVEN WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS NOT ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN VERY RARELY AND ONLY CLICK A FEW TIMES AFTER A BUMP. NOW IT WILL CLICK CONSTANTLY WHEN THA CAR IS ON. *AK GM WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEY WANT $300+ DOLLARS. MANY PONTIAC OWNERS HAVE POSTED WEBSTIE COMPLAINTS…
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TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WILL CONTINUE TO CLICK EVEN WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS NOT ON. AT FIRST IT WOULD ONLY HAPPEN VERY RARELY AND ONLY CLICK A FEW TIMES AFTER A BUMP. NOW IT WILL CLICK CONSTANTLY WHEN THA CAR IS ON. *AK GM WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, AND THEY WANT $300+ DOLLARS. MANY PONTIAC OWNERS HAVE POSTED WEBSTIE COMPLAINTS. THE "MULTIFUNCTION" SWITCH NEEDS REPLACED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A GLITCH IN THE VEHICLE'S SECURITY SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE TAKES TEN MINUTES TO FINALLY START. THE SECURITY LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000. UPDATED 007/19/07. *JB
WINDOW BROKE OFF AND KNOW AT LEAST 5 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
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.