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2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the engine (44% of complaints, typically around 119,500 miles). It is 9th of 9 Grand Prix model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Engine
47 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 119,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Ran out to do a short errand at lunch time. Came back to work and was in the building approximately five minutes when someone came running in and said my car was on fire. Co-workers tried unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire and the fire department was called. Car was a complete loss. Car had been running perfect up…
The contact owned a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light illuminated. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. The contact did not sustain any injuries, but required medical…
Electrical
20 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 108,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
I have a 2003 Grand Prix se and everytime I turn my AC/heater on my headlights go off, its 80+ degrees in the summer time. I can't keep driving with my windows down its too hot, not to mention I carry my friend and her kid around. I worry every night driving down the road that my headlights won't work. This is very…
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. Upon entering the parked vehicle, the contact noticed that the instrument panel was on fire. The contact did not see the fire because it extinguished itself. The fire and police departments were not notified. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for…
Body and structure
9 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: body.
I purchased a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix se with a v-6 and I get water coming in the passenger side every time it rains. Also the transmission shifts hard occasionally when going from first to second gear. I was told to fix the leak would be around $300 and the transmission problem.... I may as well buy another car for…
Recall on engine pulled into driveway open hood car with smoking then it united fire there is oil on the drip pan but that's been going on for years never got a recall note in the mail
Brakes
9 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the brakes failed to respond without warning. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed all the way to the floor board but the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was coasted to the side. The contact called an…
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the ABS and trac warning lamps illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure but proceeded to replace the brakes. The remedy failed to correct the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…
Lights
8 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: headlights, turn signal, brake lights.
While driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp tried turning on the dash lights at dusk only to find that the dash lights as well as the head lights low and high beam would not come on. After having the dealership look at the vehicle it was found that a plug came loose causing the loss of both low and high beam lights. I…
I have a 2003 grandprix and the first time I used the hazards on for about 10 minutes the column started smoking. If I turn them on now it will start instantly. The outside brake lights have also quit working as a result. I'm told that it is because of the wiring in the column and that everything goes through a…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 5%We bought a new 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix in april 2003 with goodyear rsa's that came on it. In september of 2004 noticed front end noise and rough ride. Took it to dealership to get it checked out. They rotated and balanced tires, checked everything out and still noise was there. I was advised to get the tires checked…
Vehicle was turning north onto parker blvd. Off w. Bridge road when the steering wheel began to vibrate and lock up. Driver was unable to straighten the wheel heading north on broadway. Unable to control the steering wheel the vehicle hit the east curb before the vehicle came to a stop the right passenger tire broke…
Seats
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: front assembly.
2003 Pontiac Grand Prix gt of mine has a driver's power adjust seat which tends to move forward on its on most recent date occurred below.
I had one of the worst experiences happened with my car today. Im on my way to the store to get detergent before heading to laundromat. I noticed when I entered the vehicle to start it up that the driver seat was extremely warm which was strange because the car sat overnight and it is winter. As I let the car warm up…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: storage.
In feb of 2003 my Pontiac Grand Prix caught fire after I parked for the evening. Since then, insurance refused coverage for "suspicious in nature. In 2003 Pontiac claimed no responsibility, gm's 100,000 mile warranty was a refused. After complaining again in 2006 Pontiac called again to say they were not at fault and…
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 Prix recalls
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, or 15v-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on february 19, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and pontiac customer s
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 chevrolet lumina and oldsmobile intrigue, 1997-2004 buick regal and pontiac grand prix, 2000-2004 chevrolet impala, and 1998-2004 chevrolet monte carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 buick regal and pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
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 Prix
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (47 complaints, typically around 119,500 miles); electrical (20 complaints, typically around 108,500 miles); body and structure (9 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 26, 2015 (engine). 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 Prix?
- It is 9th of 9 Grand Prix model years by number of complaints, with 106 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.