2003 Pontiac Grand Prix problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (28) · Engine And Engine Cooling (7) · Electrical System (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Pontiac Grand Prix model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
77 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2015-10-26 · campaign 15V701000 · 1,003,556 vehicles
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.
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: 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 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick c
Service bulletins (387)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ste
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-06 · PIT3271P · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. general motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. technician s
Showing the 6 most recent of 387 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-05-12 · Engine · 🔥 fire“the vehicle overheated and caught fire.…”
2021-03-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 ga…”
2019-11-12 · Engine · 69,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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…”
2019-05-28 · Unknown Or Other · 233,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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!…”
2019-04-30 · Engine · 192,599 mi“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,…”
2018-07-16 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 100,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand prix. upon entering the parked vehicle, the contact noticed that the instrument panel was on fire. the contact did not see the fire because it extinguished itself. the fire and police departments were not notified. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repai…”
2018-07-05 · Unknown Or Other · 2,347,820 mi · 🔥 fire“recall on engine pulled into driveway open hood car with smoking then it united fire there is oil on the drip pan but that's been going on for years never got a recall note in the mail…”
2018-05-31 · Engine · 106,000 mi · 🔥 fire“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 nhtsa campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine…”
2018-04-13 · Engine · 226,000 mi · 🔥 fire“car was idling in a drive through and smoke began pouring out of engine compartment. shut off car and popped hood and the engine was on fire (visible flames) underneath where oil would be added to car. fire department was called to extinguish fire. previous owner repaired 2009 recalled part but i was unaware of 2015 recall.…”
2017-12-05 · Engine · 236,000 mi · 🔥 fire“the car had a recall. the engine oil dripped into the manifold and caught fire. the car is totaled now. i was inside of a walmart and the car was parked outside.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.