2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
136
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
8
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
The 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX has received a total of 136 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (30 complaints), Electrical System (14 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, potentially affecting up to 3,772,701 vehicles.
Recall 15V701000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
| 1,003,556 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201...
View full details →Recall 15V701000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
| 1,003,556 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Consequence: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201...
View full details →Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 09V116000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 1,497,516 vehicles affected
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,497,516 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL, MY 1998-2003 CHEVROLET LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND IMPALA, MY 1998-1999 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE, MY 1997-2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L V6 NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINE. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH DROPS OF ENGINE OIL MAY BE DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING.
Consequence: 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 AND BEYOND INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2016....
View full details →Recall 09E005000 — STEERING
| 979 vehicles affected
Defect: DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Consequence: A BROKEN STEERING KNUCKLE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
View full details →Recall 08V118000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 207,542 vehicles affected
Defect: GM IS RECALLING 207,542 MY 1997-2003 BUICK REGAL AND PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 3.8L SUPERCHARGED V-6 ENGINE. THESE VEHICLES HAVE HIGHER FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET TEMPERATURES, CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR EARLIER DEGRADATION OF THE FRONT ROCKER COVER GASKET AND EVENTUAL OIL SEEPAGE.
Consequence: CERTAIN UNDERHOOD FIRES MAY BE CAUSED BY DROPS OF ENGINE OIL, FROM SEEPAGE OR SPILLAGE, BEING DEPOSITED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD THROUGH HARD BRAKING. IF THE MANIFOLD IS HOT ENOUGH AND THE OIL RUNS BELOW THE HEAT SHIELD, IT MAY IGNITE INTO A SMALL FLAME AND, IN SOME INSTANCES, THE FIRE MAY SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC SPARK PLUG WIRE CHANNEL AND BEYOND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINES FRONT VALVE COVER AND FRONT-VALVE-COVER GASKET WITH NEW PARTS OF AN IMPROVED DESIGN AND REMOVE THE ENGINES PLASTIC COVER AND PLASTIC OIL-FILL-TUBE EXTENSION, ALONG WITH THE 1-3-5 SPARK PLUG WIRE RETAINERS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE...
View full details →Recall 07E021000 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
| 742 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Consequence: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
136 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
HI IT HAPPEND ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I STOP TO GET GAS IN THE CAR AN WHEN I LEFT I STARTED NOTICEING THE CAR WAS RUNNING KINDA OF WEIRD I GET TO WERE I WAS GOING AN TURN THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 10MINS AN THEN TRIED TO START IT BCK UP AN IT ACTED LIKE IT WLDNT I HAD TO GET A JUMP TO GET IT BARELY STARTED AN WHEN STARTED DRIVING IT WLD MISFIRE AN ALL THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AN I CLD HARDLY GET THE CAR UP TO SPEED AN WHEN I FINALLY MADE IT HOME AN THE CAR OFF MY FUEL GAUGE WENT FROM HALF A TANK TO FULL AN THE CAR WLDNT START BCK UP
HI IT HAPPEND ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO I STOP TO GET GAS IN THE CAR AN WHEN I LEFT I STARTED NOTICEING THE CAR WAS RUNNING KINDA OF WEIRD I GET TO WERE I WAS GOING AN TURN THE CAR OFF FOR ABOUT 10MINS AN THEN TRIED TO START IT BCK UP AN IT ACTED LIKE IT WLDNT I HAD TO GET A JUMP TO GET IT BARELY STARTED AN WHEN STARTED DRIVING IT WLD MISFIRE AN ALL THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON AN I CLD HARDLY GET THE CAR UP TO SPEED AN WHEN I FINALLY MADE IT HOME AN THE CAR OFF MY FUEL GAUGE WENT FROM HALF A TANK TO FULL AN THE CAR WLDNT START BCK UP
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 ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE HOOD AND NOTICED FLAMES INSIDE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE POLICE WAS AT THE SCENE, BUT NO REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. *DT*JB
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!
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 VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,599. *BF CONSUMER STATED RECALL WAS REPAIRED BUT HAPPENED AGAIN, MECHANIC STATED IT WASN'T DONE PROPERLY BECAUSE SILICONE IN PLACE OF GASKET. HAD ANOTHER RECALL ISSUED IN 2016 AN HAD IT REPAIRED. WITHIN A MONTH LATER, CAR STARTED RECALL WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY BECAUSE IT WAS SILICONE. *JB
Safety Rating for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
General Motors, LLC has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIP5226C — EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller rockers to inspect them. Only replace the roller rocker that is missing needle bearings. Be sure to clean the oil drains to retrieve the needle bearings....
PIP4723B — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
040604066A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CLUNK/BANG FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. *TT
01740 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CROSS INJECTOR WIRES CAUSING MISFIRE AT STEADY STATE SPEED AND RPM, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED, AND A P0300 SET. SIT BULLETIN 1460291. *TT
030525008 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
INTERMITTENT/CONSTANT ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED. *TT
071203 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EMERGING ISSUES TELECAST REGARDING THE AIRBAG WIRE TRAP; PAINT FLAKING OFF SEAT FRAMES; HVAC CLICKING; OIL CHANGES WITH POWER OIL MACHINE; WATER LEAKS; RATTLE NOISE; BACK BUMPER RUST; ETC. *TT
021103 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
SPECIAL BLUE FOG LAMP INFORMATION THAT UTILIZES A DIFFERENT REPLACEMENT BULB THAN THE CURRENT GRAND PRIX FOG LAMP. *TT
3760 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TRAC OFF LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE U1304 AFTER POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) REPLACEMENT. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
- 1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 618 complaints
- 1999 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 500 complaints
- 2000 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 588 complaints
- 2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 427 complaints
- 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 410 complaints
- 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX (current)
- 2004 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 624 complaints
- 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 209 complaints
- 2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 365 complaints
- 2007 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 323 complaints
- 2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 199 complaints
Other PONTIAC Models
- PONTIAC G6 — 8,406 total complaints
- PONTIAC GRAND AM — 8,105 total complaints
- PONTIAC BONNEVILLE — 2,576 total complaints
- PONTIAC VIBE — 2,132 total complaints
- PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 1,641 total complaints
- PONTIAC MONTANA — 1,451 total complaints
- PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 1,262 total complaints
- PONTIAC TORRENT — 918 total complaints