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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
29,002 miles · May 6, 2015
Air BagsElectrical SystemCrashInjury

AT 29,000 MILES IN 2006 THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. CAR TOWED TO AUTHORIZED PONTIAC DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS $327.00 I WAS STRUCK BY A UTILITY TRUCK WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN 2013 AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AT APPROXIMATELY 58,…

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AT 29,000 MILES IN 2006 THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. CAR TOWED TO AUTHORIZED PONTIAC DEALER WHERE I WAS TOLD THE IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THE IGNITION CYLINDER WAS $327.00 I WAS STRUCK BY A UTILITY TRUCK WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN 2013 AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AT APPROXIMATELY 58,000 MILES THE CAR WON'T START.AGAIN TOWED TO A PONTIAC DEALER. TOLD I NEED A NEW IGNITION CYLINDER FOR A COST OF $447.82. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED THE SECURITY LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ILLUMINATED LONGER THAN USUAL. THERE HAS BEEN A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM DASHBOARD AND AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A SHIFTED LEVEL ROAD (EXAMPLE: END OF A HIGHWAY RAMP , BACKING OUT OF AN UNEVEN DRIVEWAY) THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF. THERE HAS ALSO AT TIMES BEEN DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. OFTEN TIMES IT TURNED EASILY AND OTHER TIMES IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. 2015 GENERAL MOTORS TOLD ME THIS WASN'T PASSED ON FOR INVESTIGATION BECAUSE I DIDN'T PROVIDE A PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE BODYWORK WAS DONE ALTHOUGH THEY RECEIVED THE REPAIR BILL. I STILL DON'T HAVE A DRIVEABLE CAR AND AM UNSURE IF THIS CAR WOULD EVEN BE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10715017

Mileage unknown · May 4, 2015
Electrical SystemCrash

2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING BEFORE RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 14350. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HIT A DITCH AND FLIPPED OVER. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10713810

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

VEHICLE HAS BEEN "REPAIRED" AS PER NHTSA RECALL #14V400000 WITHIN THE LAST TWO (2) MONTHS. ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2015, AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 PM CDST, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AGAIN JUST AS IT DID PRIOR TO THE RECALL "REPAIR". KEYS ON KEY CHAIN ARE MINIMAL (6). VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH NO FURTHER ISSUE OR INDICATION…

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VEHICLE HAS BEEN "REPAIRED" AS PER NHTSA RECALL #14V400000 WITHIN THE LAST TWO (2) MONTHS. ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 29, 2015, AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 PM CDST, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AGAIN JUST AS IT DID PRIOR TO THE RECALL "REPAIR". KEYS ON KEY CHAIN ARE MINIMAL (6). VEHICLE RESTARTED WITH NO FURTHER ISSUE OR INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC.). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713751

Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED, IT NOW FAILS TO RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, REQUIRING ONE TO PHYSICALLY PULL THE PEDAL BACK UP. AFTER THE NEAR ACCIDENT, MY DAUGHTER DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISC…

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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED, IT NOW FAILS TO RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION, REQUIRING ONE TO PHYSICALLY PULL THE PEDAL BACK UP. AFTER THE NEAR ACCIDENT, MY DAUGHTER DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR STICKING ACCELERATOR ON THE 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM, BUT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE RECALL. I CALLED PONTIAC ON THE TOLL FREE NUMBER LISTED ON THE RECALL NOTICE ON YOUR SITE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER ASKING TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR SEVERAL TIMES, I WAS FINALLY CONNECTED TO THE SUPERVISOR WHO ALSO SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. I TOLD HER THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL AND SHE SAID THERE WASN'T A RECALL FOR THE ACCELERATOR ON A 2003 GRAND AM. I GAVE HER THE RECALL NUMBER AND SHE SAID SHE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING ON THAT RECALL, AND THAT THE CAR WAS TOO OLD SO PONTIAC WASN'T GOING TO PAY ANYTHING TO HAVE IT FIXED. SHE SAID I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF AND IF THEY EVER DID ISSUE A RECALL AND I KEPT THE RECEIPTS, THEY WOULD ISSUE A REFUND. THE CAR IS NOW TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THERE ARE MANY MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL CAR WHOSE LIVES MAY WELL BE IN DANGER BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10712677

136,000 miles · Apr 21, 2015
Engine

THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10711867

242,796 miles · Apr 11, 2015
Engine

MY IGNITION CYLINDER SWITCH IS MAKING MY CAR TO STALL AND SHUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND I HAD IT REPLACE ON 4/8/15 AND WAS DRIVING AND IT NOT FIX, MY CAR HAS CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVER 3 TIME SINCE I GOT IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP I AM NOT DRIVING IT AND WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TO SEND A TOW TO PICK THE CAR UP. I AM NOT SAFE IN THE CA…

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MY IGNITION CYLINDER SWITCH IS MAKING MY CAR TO STALL AND SHUT OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING AND I HAD IT REPLACE ON 4/8/15 AND WAS DRIVING AND IT NOT FIX, MY CAR HAS CUT OFF ON ME WHILE DRIVER 3 TIME SINCE I GOT IT FROM THE DEALERSHIP I AM NOT DRIVING IT AND WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TO SEND A TOW TO PICK THE CAR UP. I AM NOT SAFE IN THE CAR AND SPENT $377.00 FOR LABOR AND THE PART FOR IT NOT TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY. I HAD MY KEY REPLACED ON A RECALL AND WHEN I GOT THAT SERVICE MY IGNITION LOCKED AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE CAR ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705146

139,000 miles · Mar 30, 2015
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND CRASH INTO A CURB AND THEN A STOP S…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND CRASH INTO A CURB AND THEN A STOP SIGN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES AND WHIPLASH, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. UPDATED 5/29/15*CN THE CONSUMER HIT A CURB THEN A FIRE HYDRANT. UPDATED 04/05/16. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10702555

179,000 miles · Mar 2, 2015
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V4000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V4000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

NHTSA ODI #10691559

80,400 miles · Jan 16, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED .THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED .THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,400.

NHTSA ODI #10672933

190,000 miles · Jan 12, 2015
Electrical System

NORMALLY THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM KICKS ON AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR TEN MIN. AND WAIT FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO RESET. IT WAS -7 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND I THOUGHT I WAITED EXACTLY TEN MIN. BUT MAYBE IT WAS TOO EARLY. IF YOU DON'T WAIT TEN MIN. EXACTLY THEN YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE…

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NORMALLY THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM KICKS ON AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BLINKS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION FOR TEN MIN. AND WAIT FOR THE SECURITY SYSTEM TO RESET. IT WAS -7 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND I THOUGHT I WAITED EXACTLY TEN MIN. BUT MAYBE IT WAS TOO EARLY. IF YOU DON'T WAIT TEN MIN. EXACTLY THEN YOU HAVE TO RESTART THE PROCEDURE ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAD MY INFANT IN THE CAR, WHICH MADE THINGS WORST. I GOT STRANDED AT THE GROCERY STORE RIGHT WHEN THEY CLOSED SO ME AND MY SON HAD TO WAIT 20 MIN. FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO RESET. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR ALL GRAND AMS RANGING FROM 1998 TO 2003 ITS CALLED A PASSLOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY OTHER PPL. REPORTED THIS ISSUE BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I PITCH IN TO GET THIS ISSUE KNOWN. I'VE BEEN STRANDED IN BAD PARTS OF CHICAGO BEFORE AND AT THE WORST TIMES. HOPE THIS HELPS. HERE IS A FORUM LINK TO SEE ALL THE OTHER PPL WHO ARE DEALING WITH ISSUE. ITS 40 PAGES LONG. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL, AND THIS ISN'T THE ONLY SITE WHERE PPL ARE COMPLAINING. SEARCH GOOGLE, YOUTUBE, YAHOO QUESTIONS AND YOU WILL SEE ITS HAPPENING TO EVERYONE. HTTP://FORUMS.EDMUNDS.COM/DISCUSSION/15929/PONTIAC/GRAND-AM/PONTIAC-GRAND-AM-SECURITY-PASSLOCK-PROBLEMS/P3. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672027

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.