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2003 Pontiac Grand AM Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 325 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM, most often about the electrical (41% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is 4th of 6 Grand AM model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2003 Pontiac Grand AM problems
Electrical
134 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn.
Horn blows when no one is around the car, or just driving down the road. Last time this happened the horn burnt out, the cruise control kicks in when not even on, the blinker makes a blinking sound inside the car.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM with a factory installed security system. While approaching a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. She was able to turn the key in the ignition and all electrical components of the vehicle were operating, however the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer…
Lights
65 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 81,000 miles. Parts named most often: hazard flashing warning lights, turn signal, headlights, fog lights.
- the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM gt. The current and failure mileage was 81,000. The contact 's vehicle had the same failurethe failure that was mentioned in recall #03v327000; exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch where the turn signals/hazard lamps worked intermittently. The failure began…
I have this annoying clicking sound which I thought was my turn signal. However, this noise continues even when my turn signal is off. I tried changing the hazard switch, but the noise continues. It happens several times a day while I'm driving and sometimes it "clicks" faster and longer then other times. I've also…
Engine
41 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
I have a 2003 Pontiac gran am gt ram air four door sedan. Several weeks we experienced a problem where the car would suddenly accelerate without the gas pedal being depressed, the car would continue to accelerate until the gas pedal was quickly depressed or I hit the brakes. I took the car to my repair shop and they…
Coolant leaked into engine caused problems, wouldn't start half the time, couldn't fill up without gas pump cutting off constantly (took 20 minutes to fill up). Took car to dealer and other shops spent tons of money problem not solved. Got so feed up with this car I pulled the tags and bought a honda. It is really…
Speed control
35 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, linkages, cruise control.
On hot days after my vehicle sits in the sun, the gas pedal sticks. On one day my car was in park running at 7000 RPM's. I called two different dealerships that told me this was not possible and my car was not covered in the recall for this exact problem. The third dealership finally acknowledged I was not safe in…
Dt: the vehicle is a 2003 Pontiac grand aim gt. When the consumer was driving at 60 MPH the vehicle would not slow down. It was like the gas pedal was stuck the consumer put it in park to stop the vehicle from going any faster. The vehicle was still running even though it was in park. This has occurred on 3 separate…
Air bags
20 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact's vehicle was rear ended while idling at a traffic light. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a neck injury. An independent mechanic stated that the front bumper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified.…
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. While the vehicle was at a complete stop, the preceding vehicle reversed and crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the…
Fuel system
20 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
Coolant leaked into engine caused problems, wouldn't start half the time, couldn't fill up without gas pump cutting off constantly (took 20 minutes to fill up). Took car to dealer and other shops spent tons of money problem not solved. Got so feed up with this car I pulled the tags and bought a honda. It is really…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the rotors on the vehicle at the time of purchase were completely worn. The dealer replaced the rotors, but would not replace the brake pads or the bearing. The hub bearing on the driver side needed to be replaced. While driving 50 MPH, the fuel pump…
Brakes
19 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, disc, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Vehicle has 38,000 miles and is already having major brake issues. I think for a car that is only 2years old this shouldn't be happening. I believe that subpar parts and manufacturing procedures are to blame, and I believe that these vehicles should be repaired at your cost not the consumers.
This is not a true "failure", per se, but a complaint about a manufacturing defect/flaw/practice. I own a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM gt1, (purchased 8/02) which was recently serviced at 40,000 miles. At approximately 18,000 miles, during 4/04, I had to replace the front brake rotors for excessive wear and scoring. The…
Visibility and wipers
16 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, windshield wiper/washer.
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the dashboard was separating from the frame and fractured. As a result, the windshield cracked and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was…
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated the dashboard deteriorated and the window defroster was inoperable. Also, the passenger side air bag compartment was detached. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Pontiac Grand AM recalls
Electrical: ignition
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: Failure to return to idle could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (134 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); lights (65 complaints, typically around 81,000 miles); engine (41 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Pontiac Grand AM?
- It is 4th of 6 Grand AM model years by number of complaints, with 325 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.