2003 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls and problems

The 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix has 3 safety recalls and 106 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Pontiac dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
106
Crashes / fires
5 / 37
Injuries / deaths
9 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls

Recall 15V-701: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Oct 26, 2015 · 1,003,556 vehicles affected · General Motors LLC

Problem: 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 engine’s 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 customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Recall 09V-116: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Apr 8, 2009 · 1,497,516 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

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 and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.

Recall 08V-118: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Mar 12, 2008 · 207,542 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

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. 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, GM strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

2003 Pontiac Grand Prix problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine31
Electrical System21
Engine and Engine Cooling17
Structure9
Exterior Lighting8
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6
Seats5
Visibility4
Tires4
Vehicle Speed Control4
Power Train4
Equipment3

Most reported parts

  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 5
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 3
  • Structure › Body › Door — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 2
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 2
  • Exterior Lighting › Headlights — 2
  • Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls — 2
  • Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 100,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Mar 22, 2021
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
Engine · at 69,000 miles · reported Nov 12, 2019
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…
Unknown or Other · at 233,000 miles · reported May 28, 2019
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!
Engine · at 192,599 miles · reported Apr 30, 2019
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. 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…
Electrical System · at 100,000 miles · reported Jul 16, 2018
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 repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Other Pontiac Grand Prix years

Compare all Pontiac Grand Prix years · All Pontiac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix: 15V-701 (engine and engine cooling), 09V-116 (engine and engine cooling), 08V-118 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix?

Owners report engine problems most often (31 reports), followed by electrical system (21). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 100,000 miles.

Are Pontiac recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Pontiac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.