2003 Pontiac Grand AM Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around electrical problems — starting and stalling complaints tied to the anti-theft (Passlock) system and ignition switch — followed by exterior lighting, especially intermittent turn signals and a clicking hazard switch. Speed control complaints describe an accelerator pedal that sticks or fails to return, with a smaller number of cooling, fuel-system and brake complaints. Mileage on the sampled complaints ranges widely, from nearly new to well over 200,000 miles.

1. 1
   Electrical system

   Anti-theft (Passlock) no-start and stalling

   • 100 complaints (31%)
   • median 76,171 mi at 7.2 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $459 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2018

   Owners describe the car failing to start or stalling while driving, with the security warning light illuminated or flashing. Several say the vehicle only restarts after leaving the key in the accessory position for 10 to 20 minutes so the system resets, and some had the car towed more than once. Complaints point to the ignition switch, lock cylinder and key, with some repairs (key fob, battery, ignition parts) not resolving the problem. Reported across a broad mileage range in the sample, from about 25,000 to over 180,000 miles, and often described as intermittent.

   Recall 14V400000

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall (14V400000) has been completed and whether the security light has ever come on or the car has needed a reset to start. Try several cold starts during a test drive and note whether the security light behaves normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I've been having trouble with the ignition switch. Without warning the car will not start, and the security light comes on. After having it towed to a mechanic and 170 dollars latter I was told it was the ignition switch. It comes in two parts and no one know which part it needs. I've seen two other mechanics since, same story. This month finally, the Pontiac Grand Am was added to the recall list for the ignition problem,,,,my model and year. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10610077, filed 2014-07, 89,000 miles

   “I have been having issues with the electrical systems in my car for the last 1-1/2 years. When I turn on the car the dash lights/headlights/radio/windows and heater/AC usually won't work right away. While I am driving, they will pop on or off depending on the bumps on the road. Six months ago, the security light on my dash started to give me trouble. Apparently, the car sometimes thinks that I am not using the correct ignition key and won't start. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10658951, filed 2014-11, 55,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Accelerator pedal sticks or fails to return

   • 30 complaints (9%)
   • median 39,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2020

   Owners describe the accelerator pedal sticking or staying down after the foot is lifted, with the engine revving and the car continuing to accelerate; some say repeated brake pressure or shifting into park was needed to stop. Several complaints mention warm or hot conditions, and others say the dealer could not duplicate the problem. Some owners note their vehicle fell outside the range covered by a related recall. Sampled complaints span roughly 8,000 to 156,000 miles, with several reports in hot weather or after the engine reached operating temperature.

   Recall 04V528000

   What to check: Check whether the accelerator pedal recall (04V528000) applies to the specific vehicle by VIN, and test that the pedal returns freely when released, ideally after the engine is warm.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am that the throttle sticks. I have done extensive research and found there was a recall GM (4092) (NHTSA campaign number 04v528000) had issued addressing this but only in a specified serial number range. My car does not fall in that range but is affected in the same manner. The VIN # is . The car is becoming a safety hazard to my family and is one of our primary vehicles. I have contacted GM and they are not willing to do anything because of the serial number range. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10253165, filed 2008-12, 98,000 miles

   “I had 2 kids in the car,the accelerator pedal stuck,car kept speeding up.. I was using both feet on brake & er brake as well!! I was swerving in & out of traffic,running red lights & praying for our lives,we got up to 85 miles per hour in a 35mph zone!! The car was revving out of control & black smoke was coming out from under the hood! I managed to slam it into park & we all jumped out & ran,very frightening & almost ended in a collision. The intake manifold gasket cracked at 1yr old and 10,000 miles,the tires needed resealing at 5000 miles. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10596041, filed 2014-06, 20,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Engine stalling and no-start at random

   • 75 complaints (23%)
   • median 74,898 mi at 6.9 yrs old (64 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $550 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2018

   Owners report the car stalling while driving or refusing to start with no warning, sometimes repeatedly over weeks; several say dealers could not duplicate the fault. Repairs described include the ignition module, coil, PCM, fuel pump and sensor replacement, and in some cases the problem returned after the repair. Recorded in the sample between about 9,500 and 137,000 miles, with several reports at low mileage under 20,000.

   Recall 14V400000

   What to check: Ask for service records covering ignition switch, ignition module and fuel pump work, and take an extended test drive at varying speeds to watch for stalling or warning lights.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have brought my car september 2013. I started having problems in july 2014. My car wouldnt start with the first turn. But I would try again and it starts. So one day driving down the road it stalled on the highway. Never started back up. The mechanic said it was the fuel regulator and oil pressure gauge which he changed . I still had the problem of not starting on the first try. I found out I had a recall on the ignitions switch which was finally changed. I received a letter after the recall was completed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10653746, filed 2014-11, 69,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10705146, filed 2015-04, 242,796 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Turn signals and hazard switch malfunction

   • 52 complaints (16%)
   • median 91,000 mi at 7.8 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $300 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2019

   Complaints describe turn signals that work only intermittently, sometimes coming back after the hazard button is pressed or released, and a clicking noise from under the dash near the hazard switch that continues after the signals are off. Owners report replacing the multi-function or hazard switch, in some cases more than once, and some say the dealer or manufacturer told them no recall applied. Mostly reported between roughly 19,000 and 127,000 miles in the sample, without a clear weather or seasonal pattern.

   What to check: During a test drive, cycle the turn signals in both directions several times and listen for clicking under the dash with the signals off. Ask whether the hazard/turn signal switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The turn signals intermittently work. Gm is aware of the problem. There are 2 other recalls for the same issue, but for different years. 2000-2001 Grand Am, oldsmobile alero, chevrolet malibu (NHTSA campaign id number 03v327000) and 1999-2000 Grand Am, oldsmobile alero, chevrolet malibu. I have called Pontiac, however they were unable to assist me with this issue. This is a very serious problem that could result in a crash.”

   NHTSA complaint #10423713, filed 2011-09, 103,000 miles

   “My 2003 Pontiac Grand Am has had this clicking noise, coming from under the dash for about a year now. It sounds like the sound the turn signal would make, but a little faster. And it comes and goes and lasts for different durations of time. I notice when the turn signal is on, then the noise goes away. Also, when I slightly hold the hazard button in, without actually turning it on, the noise also stops, but then my turn signals won't work. I took it to the mechanic and he stated that it might be the hazard switch. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10197089, filed 2007-07, 42,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, confirm by VIN which recalls (ignition switch 14V400000 and accelerator pedal 04V528000) have been performed, and treat electrical starting and turn-signal faults as the most common things to verify. A pre-purchase inspection that includes cold starts and a check for coolant in the oil is worthwhile on a vehicle of this age.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.