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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 · Dec 29, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

NHTSA 04V528000 ON THE FMVSSS 124 ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MECHANIC CLAIMS THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS NOT DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS IN WARM WEATHER ONLY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10105522

11,000 miles · Oct 29, 2004
Service Brakes, Air

AT ABOUT 11,000 MILES, MY BRAKES BEGAN TO HOP BADLY WHENEVER APPLIED. I BROUGHT IT TO A DEALER WHO SAID THAT IT WAS JUST BRAKE DUST. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AFTER 2 WEEKS. THE CAR WOBBLES TO A STOP AND THE WHEELS LOCK IF I APPLY TO MUCH PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES

NHTSA ODI #10097981

13,000 miles · Oct 7, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. AT 13,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AND THE REAR ROTORS REPLACED. MY DAUGHTER AND HER HUSBAND ALSO OWN A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT AND HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE SAID IT IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE …

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I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. AT 13,000 MILES, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE TURNED AND THE REAR ROTORS REPLACED. MY DAUGHTER AND HER HUSBAND ALSO OWN A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT AND HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS HAVE SAID IT IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE (POOR QUALITY) ROTORS BEING USED BY GM. WHEN WE BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF PONTIAC THEY ONLY SAID THAT ALL MANUFACTURERS ARE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. REPAIR COSTS FOR BRAKE PADS, NEW ROTORS AND TURNING FRONT ROTORS WAS $577.20. PONTIAC TOLD MY DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW THAT THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE BRAKES AND ROTORS AS THEY ARE CONSUMABLES. MY MECHANIC RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE PARTS WITH BENDIX BRAND PARTS INSTEAD OF STANDARD GM PARTS. HE SAID THIS WILL PROBABLY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10093744

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10094032

31,000 miles · Sep 1, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSuspension

THE IGNITION SWITCH/REAR HUB ASSEMBLY, AND FAN MOTOR, HAVE BEEN EITHER SERVICED AND/OR REPLACED DUE TO FLUIDS LEAKING OUT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL LEAKING FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10090174

1 miles · Aug 21, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WE PURCHASED A 2003 GRAND AM FROM GUNN PONTIAC IN SAN ANTONIO IN AUGUST 2003. WITHIN A MONTH THE CAR WOULD STALL OUT AT STOPS OR DURING TURNS. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TWICE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS FOR THE LAST 11 MONTHS ON AND OFF. IN JULY 2004 THE SLAVE CYLIND…

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WE PURCHASED A 2003 GRAND AM FROM GUNN PONTIAC IN SAN ANTONIO IN AUGUST 2003. WITHIN A MONTH THE CAR WOULD STALL OUT AT STOPS OR DURING TURNS. WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TWICE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS FOR THE LAST 11 MONTHS ON AND OFF. IN JULY 2004 THE SLAVE CYLINDER WENT OUT AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE 1200.00 TO REPAIR IT. THE SERVICE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THE 2 PROBLEMS COULD BE RELATED BECAUSE HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PART GO OUT AT 40,000 MILES AND THAT THE CYLINDER SHOULD LAST MUCH MUCH LONGER. ONCE THE CAR WAS REPAIRED I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HELP US W THE REPAIRS. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER , WHO BASICALLY CALLED ME A LIAR ABOUT THE PROBLEM W THE CAR STALLING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THIS PROBLEM UP W PONTIAC NATIONAL REPS. AFTER 2 AND A HALF WEEKS OF NO ANSWERS FROM THEM WE WENT AND PICKED UP THE CAR ON FRIDAY(8/20/04). TONIGHT THE CAR STALLED OUT 4 TIMES ON A DRIVE. I AN DISCUSSED W PONTIAC AND THEIR LACK OF SERVICE!!*JB

NHTSA ODI #10088333

28,158 miles · Jul 1, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

(EVENT LEADING) ON OR ABOUT 09-29-2003 I TOOK MY GRAND AM INTO HANIGAN CHEVROLET IN ONTARIO,OREGON TO HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM FIXED, THE UNIT HAD 15212 MILES ON IT, AS TO THE UNIT WAS VIBRATING VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING. (DIAGNOSIS WAS) THEY ADVISED ME THE ROTORS ON THE UNIT FRONT WERE WARPED, STATED THE ROTORS WERE TO LIGHT TO HANDL…

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(EVENT LEADING) ON OR ABOUT 09-29-2003 I TOOK MY GRAND AM INTO HANIGAN CHEVROLET IN ONTARIO,OREGON TO HAVE A BRAKE PROBLEM FIXED, THE UNIT HAD 15212 MILES ON IT, AS TO THE UNIT WAS VIBRATING VIOLENTLY WHEN BRAKING. (DIAGNOSIS WAS) THEY ADVISED ME THE ROTORS ON THE UNIT FRONT WERE WARPED, STATED THE ROTORS WERE TO LIGHT TO HANDLE THE HEAT AND PRESSURE, ALSO STATED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THEM.(EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE NOT WORN OUT BUT WERE DAMAGED DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION. I PAID TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. HERE ON THE 6-28-2004 I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN WHEN RETURNING FROM A VACATION TRIP, MILEAGE NOW IS 28158. IT IS GOING IN AGAIN FOR ANALYSIS TO THE SAME DEALER. SAME FAILURE HAPPENS APPROX. EVERY 13000 TO 15000 MILES....RECALL IS NEEDED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10079124

8,500 miles · Jun 29, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING VERY HIGH ON ITS OWN EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, VEHICLE WILL STILL TAKE OFF. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES THIS WEEK. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. OWNER SAID THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT THE CAR BACK. CONSUMER IS VERY P…

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CONSUMER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS ACCELERATING VERY HIGH ON ITS OWN EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, VEHICLE WILL STILL TAKE OFF. THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES THIS WEEK. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. OWNER SAID THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT THE CAR BACK. CONSUMER IS VERY PARANOID OF THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO PERFORM PROPERLY. *LA THE IDLE HAD BEEN RUNNING HIGHER EVEN AFTER TWO REPAIR ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE SHOP AS OF 06/15/2004. GM HAD NOT SENT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE DEALERSHIP. (THROTTLE PLATE STICKING/THROTTLE CABLE BINDING) *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074439

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2004
Visibility

THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD IN THE WINDSHIELD IS VERY DISTRACTING...AND AT TIMES MAKES IT HARD TO ACTUALLY SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME. IT SEEMS AS IF THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE WAY THE WINDOW IS SHAPED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10074780

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN ACCELERATING. THEN, CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10073747

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.