2003 Pontiac GRAND PRIX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
106 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
100,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 77 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 106 complaints (29.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 14 | 13.2% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 31 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
Engine: 31; Electrical System: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Tires: 4; Electrical System:Ignition: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 23 |
| 150,000 and above | 18 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 23; 150,000 and above: 18
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 6; 2004: 7; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 10; 2010: 7; 2011: 4; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 7; 2015: 9; 2016: 15; 2017: 4; 2018: 4; 2019: 3; 2021: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10023754 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)
DURING WET WEATHER THE BRAKES ON A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX REFUSED TO ENGAGE. THEY MADE HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING NOISES AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. CONTROL OVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NONEXISTENT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041080 · 2003-10-02 (October 2, 2003)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024467 · 2003-06-18 (June 18, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. *MR THE VEHICLE WA TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND TWO DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER. SINCE THIS PROBLEM SURFACED THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER AND A SENSOR. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT NOW THE VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083330 · 2004-08-05 (August 5, 2004)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS OCCURRED DURING A RAIN STORM . THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED TEMPORARILY. *JB THE WIPER WOULD NOT GO FAR ENOUGH TOWARDS THE A-PILLAR. THE DEALER READJUSTED THE LEFT WIPER ARM. THE VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ABOVE THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS OUT OF BALANCE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL WAS OUT OF ROUND. . THE CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING WHILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192876 · 2007-06-11 (June 11, 2007)
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 CENTRAL LOCATION WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. APPARENTLY BY STEERING THE CAR OVER TIME IT EVENTUALLY REMOVES THE OUTER COATING OF THE WIRING. I FEEL THAT GM SHOULD REPAIR THIS AT NO COST. I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW O…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,231 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10266500 · 2009-04-23 (April 23, 2009)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IDLE FOR 2 MINUTES HE NOTICED SMOKE EMANATING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS DESTROYED. HE USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE IN REFERENCE TO RECALL #09V116000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING .THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,985. UPDATED 05/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 05/20/09.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 116,985 miles reported. Look up ODI 10266500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10265303 · 2009-04-14 (April 14, 2009)
IN 2003 I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 3.5L V6 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD IT SERVICED REGULARLY WHEN THE INSTRUMENTS HAVE INDICATED AND THE OWNERS MANUAL HAS SUGGESTED. AT APPROX 59000 MILE I HAD TO HAVE THE TOP AND BOTTOM HEAD GASKET SEALS REPLACED, AND THE AIR CONDITIONER COSTING $2500.00. THEN AT 68000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND HAD TO BE REBUILT AT A COST OF $3000.00 (SEVERAL PART ALONG WITH TORQUE CONVERTER). IN EACH CASE THE MECHANICS STATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLES AND THAT THESE…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10265303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269000 · 2009-05-17 (May 17, 2009)
I BOUGHT A 2003 GRAND PRIX WITH IN THE FIRST YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THEY CHARGED ME 1300.00. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 117,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269000 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10226681 · 2008-05-05 (May 5, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS ONLY A PIECE OF PLASTIC USED TO CLOSE THE ETR VALVE AT THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL. THIS IS WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTS WITH THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE GASKET TO OVERHEAT, AND COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE DUE TO FUEL LEAKING INTO THE OVERHEATED MOTOR. THE CONTACT IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10226681 at NHTSA ↗