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Electrical systemPart report

2003 Pontiac Grand AM Electrical system Problems

Complaints
134about this part
Share
41%of 325 total for the year
Median mileage
75,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 134 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM, 41% of the 325 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10994238, filed 2017-06, 20 miles

“The ignition switch would not turn to the off position when parked. You could not remove key from ignition. Dealer had to replace ignition switch and key because they could not get it out. If I drove the car I had to leave key in ignition.”

NHTSA complaint #10943824, filed 2017-01, 126,000 miles

“My girlfriends 03 Pontiac Grand Am gt just stopped starting....it ran fine today..then when we got home and shut the car off for about an hour then came back out to leave I turned the key and nothing! Like all the lights and everything works..I took a screw driver and tried jumping the starter and it just spins freely and doesn't engage the flywheel..it's happened once before..what's the problem and how do I fix it? We need it fixed asap!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10381076, filed 2011-02, 91,000 miles

“On a trip to the mountains ignition:anti-theft controller failed to start. Family stranded in mountains. $213 tow . I was told it would cost between $450 and $1000 to get it fixed. Still won't start after following owner's manual instructions. I would like to know how to disable it to prevent being stranded in future.”

NHTSA complaint #10193770, filed 2007-06, 29,414 miles

“The dash is peeling and rolling up it has broke all the vents and has pushed the trim around the speedometer/ rim et down and off. My airbag light comes on often and it is a concern for the passenger side airbag that is starting to push up the cover. Starting to have electrical problems due to it pushing pressure on the fuse boxes. I also have it pushing on the door allowing water to run into my car at the fuse box speaker and into my floor. I see this problem in several other vehicles with the dash. …”

NHTSA complaint #10599139, filed 2014-06, 97,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20054039%
200414048%
200313441%
200214837%
200123243%
200013019%
199913216%
19983319%
199710527%
199612227%
199512029%
19947119%
19935125%
19922817%
1991911%
199038%
19891023%
198826%
1987621%
1986218%

Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM

Exterior lighting
65 complaints
Vehicle speed control
35 complaints
Engine cooling
24 complaints
Air bags
20 complaints
Fuel system
20 complaints
Brakes
19 complaints
Engine
17 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
Steering
14 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology