2003 Pontiac Grand AM: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 325 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (35% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 325 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2023
“Korr's Automotive wants $55Ã 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)”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2020
“**this is not a standard 2003 pontiac, single owner current mileage of 70,000** upon vehicle reaching operating temperature it exhibits the symptoms of recall #04092 124/ accelerator pedal arm.failure results in loss of rpm and speed control.this item was addressed on 1-11-2004 by approved dealer. Car last failure occurrence was on 1/12/2020. This vehicle was also included in recall#14350 ignition switch. When failure occurs loss of power,speed,air bags,ect.. Initial recall repair was on 3-07-2014. At that time a new key was cut to resolve issue. Failure has reoccured, last time being 12-23-19 while driving mid day no excessive temp or driving conditions.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The stated that while driving at 55 mph, the indicator lights functioned intermittently. The contact stated that on one occasion the hazard light remained illuminated. The contact was able to remove a fuse to disable the hazard light. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turn signal indicator switch needed to be replaced. The part was replaced however, the failure recurred three times. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle shut off and the engine indicator illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The dealer was not called. The vehice was taken to an independent mechani, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The consumer stated the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic dealer. The failure would cost between $600 and $700 to repair. *js”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2018
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. While driving approximately 45 mph, the contact attempted to decelerate by releasing the accelerator pedal; however, the pedal failed to retract. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be depressed several times in order to stop the vehicle. The contact also stated that this was the second occurrence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (gettel chevrolet buick gmc, 1901 tamiami trail, punta gorda, fl 33950), but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and case number: 8-446-6959426 was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 55,345.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 2018
“My car haves a security sensor, that prevents the car not to start up,I have to put the ignition key to the acc and then the security light will blink for 15 to 20 minutes , after that the blinking will reset it self I then turn the ignition key to the off position and then turn the key to the on or run and the engine would start up.is there a way to fix this problem ! This is going on every other day. I will put the key in and the car will not start”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2017
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2017
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 27 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
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.
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.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand AM by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
NHTSA has 325 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The most complained-about area is electrical system (35% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Grand AM problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,545 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.