2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2003 Grand Prix most often write about engine-compartment fires in the 3.8L V6 cars, with complaints describing smoke or flames from under the hood while parked or shortly after shutting the engine off; several of these reference the oil-on-exhaust-manifold recalls. The next most common themes are electrical trouble (ignition switch, blower and lighting failures) and coolant or oil leaking from intake manifold gaskets, especially on the 3.1L engine. Reports span very low mileage up to well past 150,000 miles, and many of the engine fire accounts come from cars with higher odometer readings.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine compartment fire (oil on hot exhaust)

   • 32 complaints (30%)
   • median 138,000 mi at 13.1 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 29 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2019

   Complaints describe smoke or visible flames from the engine bay, often while the car was parked or within about ten minutes of being shut off, and in some cases while idling or driving at low speed. Several owners say the fire started near the area where oil is added or around the exhaust manifold, and some vehicles were destroyed. Many owners mention they had received a recall notice for an oil-drip condition, or learned of the campaign only afterward, and reported difficulty getting the repair completed or repeated. Reported from about 69,000 to 236,000 miles, most commonly past 100,000 miles and often shortly after the car was parked.

   Recall 15V701000Recall 09V116000Recall 08V118000

   What to check: Ask whether the oil-drip recalls were performed and keep the paperwork; have a mechanic check for oil seepage around the front valve cover, valve cover gaskets and exhaust manifold area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car was parked. I heard a loud whoosh noise and then flames came from under my hood. I quickly cut my battery cables to hopefully save my car. I received a recall notice but when I call the dealership for repair they tell me to contact GM motors since the damage (recall) already happened. Gm sent me back to dealer. Please help!”

   NHTSA complaint #11210397, filed 2019-05, 233,000 miles

   “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 had no responsibility. I asked them for corresponding VIN numbers and was refused. I have located over 15 additional Grand Prix engine fires where GM / Pontiac is claiming no responsibilities. Once ? Twice ? 10 + ? …”

   NHTSA complaint #10184196, filed 2007-03, 60,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Headlights and blower cutting out (ignition switch)

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 11.2 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2007–2016

   Complaints describe headlights going dark when the heater or A/C blower is switched on, blower speeds that only work on high or not at all, and dash or running lights failing. Several owners say the ignition switch or wiring was identified as the cause, sometimes after a starter was replaced first. Other accounts describe the key releasing from the ignition while driving or becoming stuck, and column wiring overheating when the hazards were used. Mostly reported between about 68,000 and 180,000 miles, with a few accounts at very low mileage.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the headlights while turning the blower to each speed, try the hazards briefly, and ask whether the ignition switch or lock cylinder has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I turn on the blower switch, the blower doesn't work and the headlights go out. It mainly happens on the lower speeds but occasionally happens on high speed also. It is intermittent but happens around 75% of the time. This has been going on for about a year. I have checked all fuses and relays that seem to be related and find no problems there.”

   NHTSA complaint #10343005, filed 2010-07, 120,000 miles

   “I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix that has not been included in the recall, I went to start my car and right before I pulled off it shut down. Thank goodness it happen before I drove off because my mechanic found a faulty electrical system and the wires had melted which could have resulted in a fire. More over the ignition cylinder needs to be replaced now.”

   NHTSA complaint #10631333, filed 2014-09, 164,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Intake manifold gasket leak (oil in coolant)

   • 17 complaints (16%)
   • median 59,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2019

   Owners report coolant loss, oil mixing into the radiator, overheating and, in some accounts, the engine shaking or stalling. Complaints describe the lower or upper intake manifold gasket as the source, sometimes on the 3.1L V6 at fairly low mileage, with repair bills quoted in the four-figure range. Some say the dealer declined to cover the work or that the cause was never confirmed. Reported from roughly 55,000 to 168,000 miles, with several accounts below 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Check the coolant reservoir and radiator for an oily film or sludge, watch for low coolant with no visible leak, and ask whether the intake gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix on 9/19/03 with 12429 miles on the 3100 sfi 6 cyl engine, and now at 65,550 miles, the manifold gasket is leaking and filling the radiator with oil. The warranty is good up to 75,000, and I plan to get the repairs made by the dealer under my contract. However, this should not have happened to such a new automobile, and I understand others have experienced the same problem with this engine at 35,000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10155613, filed 2006-04, 65,000 miles

   “Sorry if I'm not using this complaint system correctly lower intake manifold gaskets need replacement on 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix with only 33.4k miles on it. Bought car new. $1100+ to have fixed. Seems to be a big problem all over america and with canadian lawsuit. Dealership did not offer to fix.”

   NHTSA complaint #10178755, filed 2007-01, 33,345 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal low or ABS/TRAC lights on

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 79,115 mi at 4.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2015

   Owners report the ABS and TRAC warning lamps staying on, a brake pedal that felt low or kicked back, and in some cases the pedal going to the floor with reduced stopping. Complaints mention warped rotors early in the car's life, repeat shop visits, and repairs such as pad and rotor replacement that did not resolve the warning lights. Reported from 500 miles to about 125,000 miles, spread fairly evenly across the range.

   What to check: Check that the ABS and TRAC lamps go out after start-up, feel the pedal for a low or spongy take-up, and ask for recent brake and wheel-speed sensor service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Abs & tcs lights on & off, stays on most of the time. Serious shaking of front end. When braking feels like pedal kicks back. Replaced several parts 1 yr ago was better for a little while, now is worse. Change front axle to a GM axle. I have all repair papers, car was in shop approximately 7 times. Shifter gets stuck in park.”

   NHTSA complaint #10267816, filed 2009-05, 125,000 miles

   “Warped brake rotors on a new 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix with only 500 miles on it. Dealer resurfaced all 4 rotors instead of replacing them with new ones auto has lost 35% of its braking power due to rotors being cut down, car is hard to stop and GM will not replace them under warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #10041080, filed 2003-10, 500 miles
5. 5
   Seats

   Heated seat overheating or moving on its own

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 44,000 mi at 9.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2016

   Owners describe the driver seat heater warming on its own, in one case becoming hot enough that the seat felt uncomfortably warm shortly after start-up in cold weather. Another account says the power driver seat slid forward without input. Complaints mention the problem being intermittent and, in one case, an injury reported through an attorney. Reported from about 10,000 to 148,000 miles, including a car with only 10,000 miles.

   What to check: Test the seat heater on each setting and watch for it staying on when switched off; check that the power seat moves only when the switch is pressed and holds its position.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 I realized that the seat became hot and when I started to drive it became hotter to the point where it felt my thighs and rear were burning. I had to put a blanket on the seat just to get some relief. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10497680, filed 2013-02, 148,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while parked, the headlights and air conditioner would not activate. Also, the heated seat failed malfunctioned. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10470555, filed 2012-08, 130,000 miles

Buying note. On a 2003 Grand Prix, focus on the 3.8L V6 cars' recall history and any sign of oil seepage near the exhaust, and on the intake gaskets and coolant condition. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the electrical controls, brakes and seat heaters will tell you more than the mileage alone.

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.