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2003 Pontiac Grand PrixProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 106 owner complaints about the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the engine. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-701 the manufacturer reports only 26% of affected cars repaired.

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year19% below the Grand Prix median · #14 of 21 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 26%Owner complaints10649 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage156kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 12, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix has problems

106 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine3124
Electrical system205
Engine and engine cooling166
Structure92
Exterior lighting80
Service brakes, hydraulic61
Seats52
Visibility40
Tires41
13 other systems298

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

26%repaired · 2017 Q3

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Recall 15V-701 · Oct 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles · 265,197 repaired

Risk. Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 09V-116 · Apr 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles

Risk. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 08V-118 · Mar 12, 2008 · 207,542 vehicles

Risk. CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.

Mileage at failure

When do engine problems start?

156kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 23 engine complaints. 17% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
1under 30k miles4under 100k miles19100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Grand Prix year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Grand Prix median. How we score

'65'66'70'72'73'74'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix safety ratings

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Grand Prix owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT A FUEL STATION, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE FUEL PUMPS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMEONE…
Complaint 11279685 · Nov 12, 2019 · 69,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, OIL LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VALVE GASKET COVER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE…
Complaint 11204766 · Apr 30, 2019 · 192,599 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE VIN ONLINE AND FOUND…
Complaint 11098924 · May 31, 2018 · 106,000 miles

Own a 2003 Grand Prix?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.