Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
At 29,000 miles in 2006 the ignition would not turn. Car towed to authorized Pontiac dealer where I was told the ignition cylinder needed to be replaced. The cost for the ignition cylinder was $327.00 I was struck by a utility truck while stopped at a red light in 2013 and the airbag did not deploy. At approximately 58,000 miles the car won't start.again towed to a Pontiac dealer. Told I need a new ignition cylinder for a cost of $447.82. Prior to this incident, when the key was turned the security light and airbag light would stay illuminated longer than usual. There has been a clicking sound coming from dashboard and at times while driving on a shifted level road (example: end of a highway ramp , backing out of an uneven driveway) the car has turned off. There has also at times been difficulty turning the steering wheel. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that there was a sudden loss of power and the steering wheel became extremely tight and difficult to turn. The contact applied force to the brake pedal which did not stop the vehicle, causing the contact to veer to the right and crash into a curb and then a stop sign. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained head injuries and whiplash, which required medical attention. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), but experienced the failure before the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000. Updated 5/29/15 the consumer hit a curb then a fire hydrant. Updated 04/05/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. While the vehicle was at a complete stop, the preceding vehicle reversed and crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new fuel pump and ignition lock cylinder switch. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that a technician from the manufacturer came out to assess the vehicle, but the contact believed the procedure was not done correctly. The failure mileage was 58,494.
I drove from the state of virginia, heading to reno, nv to visit family. I was driving a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM se1 3.4l. The conditions of the road were wet, as it was raining. The posted speed limit was 75mph - I was travelling at 68mph. I was involved in a single car accident, in fort bridger, wyoming. A semi-truck cut in front of me, in the left lane, from the right lane - splashing alot of water over my vehicle. I hydroplaned and my car spun out of control to the right. I hit the right side of the road guard rail with the left/front of the vehicle, and then the car slid across the road ramming the left side of the road guard rail, dead center in the rear end. I was wearing my seat belt, but I was still slammed and jolted forward and sideways. Neither of my dual front air bags deployed. …
Tuesday, 24 apr 2007 1500 hours after workday ended, I-25 southbound at colorado mile marker 104 right lane, weather partly cloudy with partly wet roadway, the Pontiac Grand AM 2003 I was driving at 55 MPH started front drive shaking. The vehicle ran off the right side of the highway and rolled one and one-half times in the borrow ditch. Upside down restrained by the seat belt, I noticed the Pontiac's air bags had not deployed and the engine was not running. After unbuckling the seatbelt, I, with a scarred forehead, climbed through the drivers side broken out window and exited the vehicle. The colorado state patrol arrived, investigated , had the vehicle towed to the salvage yard, and sent me to the local hospital, an outpatient for the forehead scar. 3 July 2014 NHTSA recall 14V400 and GM recall n140350 unintended key rotation for my 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand AM.
**this is not a standard 2003 Pontiac, single owner current mileage of 70,000** upon vehicle reaching operating temperature it exhibits the symptoms of recall #04092 124/ accelerator pedal arm.failure results in loss of RPM and speed control.this item was addressed on 1-11-2004 by approved dealer. Car last failure occurrence was on 1/12/2020. This vehicle was also included in recall#14350 ignition switch. When failure occurs loss of power,speed,air bags,ect.. Initial recall repair was on 3-07-2014. At that time a new key was cut to resolve issue. Failure has reoccured, last time being 12-23-19 while driving mid day no excessive temp or driving conditions.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact's vehicle rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The suffered injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000. Updated 12/01/14 updated 01/27/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact's vehicle was rear ended while idling at a traffic light. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a neck injury. An independent mechanic stated that the front bumper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
The other driver ran a red light and I t-boned her Jeep, the crash spun my Grand AM around and ripped the front end almost all the way off my car. My air-bags did not deploy I sustained damage to my shoulder that is for the rest of my life. As hard as the hit was, my air bag should have deployed. Why did it not?
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the horn worked intermittently. The dealer diagnosed that the air bag melted onto the electrical parts inside the steering wheel. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Airbag complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM, 6% of the model year's 325 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Pontiac Grand AM airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Grand AM airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 16 crashes, 0 fires and 14 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.