VehicleVerdict

2003 Pontiac Grand AM problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 436 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Grand AM year — the 2003 model ranks #9 of 29 Grand AM years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 22 deaths and 51 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 148 reports (34% of the total).

436

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

40

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

51

Injuries

22

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Grand AM years?

See all Grand AM years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Pontiac Grand AM problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System14834%
Lighting7016%
Engine4210%
Speed Control358%
Fuel System215%
Airbags205%
Brakes194%
Visibility & Wipers164%
Steering143%
Body & Structure143%
Other102%
Suspension92%
Transmission61%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks31%
Seat Belts20%
Tires & Wheels20%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V400000Electrical SystemJuly 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 units

Defect

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

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

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.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

04V528000Speed ControlNovember 1, 2004 · 92,863 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. CONSUMER STATES HE WAS DENIED SERVICE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2004 · fire

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT THE HEADLIGHTS ARE VERY DIM. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. CONSUMER STATES HE WAS DENIED SERVICE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 1, 2004 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A POLE. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 29, 2014 · crash

2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM FRONT WHEEL DRIVER'S RIGHT DRIVE SURGED FORWARD OF DRIVER'S LEFT AT HIGHWAY 55 MPH. RIGHT REAR OF PONTIAC GRAND AM SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY ROLLED ONE AND ONE HALF TIMES. SEAT BELT RESTRAINED DRIVER. HOWEVER, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · April 24, 2007 · crash

TL* 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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 7, 2013 · crash

2003 Pontiac Grand AM — common questions

Is the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 436 complaints put the 2003 model at #9 of 29 Grand AM years. It is one of the Grand AM years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Grand AM problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (148 complaints), lighting (70 complaints), engine (42 complaints).

Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Pontiac Grand AM years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand AM years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2004, 1992, 1993, 1998. The cleanest record among Grand AM years belongs to 1984.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.