Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Ecotec Gen I was re-engineered to be smoother and more efficient than its predecessor. Featuring an dual in-block balance shafts, power-steering pump, water-pump housing, and removable oil filter housing. This engine replaced the Quad-4 and GM 122 in North America and first appeared. GM offers an official kit which can be converted into 2.2 supercharged versions using modified ECM software. Model L42 is an CNG version of the Ecotec 2.2, producing 129 hp and 129 ft lb. This LSJ was listed as one of Ward's 10 Best Engines in 2006! Sealed transmissions elude fluid access to function like regular transmission systems without requiring fluid changes for maintenance. A sealed transmission has fill and inspection plugs, with the inspection plug removing excess fluid and the fill plug adding fluid. …
Korr's Automotive wants $55 to repair our exhaust leak. Fuel lines are too close to engine, which can cause death or injury upon impact. You're welcome for [redacted] upon request! Driver seat is out of commission on power.
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.
On 01/19/2018 I purchased 03,Grand AM gt.the same day the car cut off in the middle of an intersection.it was towed to my home then back to where I purchased it I was advised that it needed coil pack , alternator,.these repairs where made by me out of pocket.on 03/09/18the car over heated and again had to be towed home then to a shop where I paid to have a water pump put on again out of pocket.after having these parts put on the car would not start.I was informed that it May be the fuel pump.I then paid out of pocket to have a fuel pump put on.it still would not start.on 03/20/18 I contacted GM and was advised that there was infact a recall about all of the issue's I AM having with this car.I was given an apt for 03/22/18 to be brought into the GM dealership.upon my arrival I was advised that these recalls had been preform ed on (11/1/02 (jcn 25863)and again on 12/3/14 (025777) .I was …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving various speeds, there was a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The odor intensified when the heat was activated. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
My 2003 Grand AM suffered a failure of it's fuel pump on feb. Of 2005 during a trip to the bay area. I was fueling up at a willits ca. Gas station on a Friday afternoon . I filled up my gas tank and then attempted to start the Pontiac. It wouldn't start. I was told by the mechanic who looked at my car and who made the subsequent repair that it was due to a manufacture defect. I had just filled up and my tank was at one quarter full prior to this and when I attempted to re-start the vehicle, I could not get the motor to turn-over and start. Fortunately for me the repair shop was right next door to the gas station and so the car was looked at and diagnosed almost immediately by the mechanic. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for another service, the mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was leaking fuel. The contact had noticed that the "check engine" warning light was continuously illuminated. The contact was then driving approximately 35 MPH when vehicle began to shudder. The contact then coasted over to an emergency lane and the engine stalled. The engine did not restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle had not been taken back to a mechanic for diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number :07e021000(fuel system, other). The approximate failure mileage was 155,825.
I had 2 kids in the car,the accelerator pedal stuck,car kept speeding up.. I was using both feet on brake & er brake as well!! I was swerving in & out of traffic,running red lights & praying for our lives,we got up to 85 miles per hour in a 35mph zone!! The car was revving out of control & black smoke was coming out from under the hood! I managed to slam it into park & we all jumped out & ran,very frightening & almost ended in a collision. The intake manifold gasket cracked at 1yr old and 10,000 miles,the tires needed resealing at 5000 miles. Ridiculous!!
Coolant leaked into engine caused problems, wouldn't start half the time, couldn't fill up without gas pump cutting off constantly (took 20 minutes to fill up). Took car to dealer and other shops spent tons of money problem not solved. Got so feed up with this car I pulled the tags and bought a Honda. It is really unfair how the manufacturer of this car was allowed to get away with putting out such an inferior product. There should have been a major recall on any number of these problems. I was never notified of any recalls or the class action law suit.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the rotors on the vehicle at the time of purchase were completely worn. The dealer replaced the rotors, but would not replace the brake pads or the bearing. The hub bearing on the driver side needed to be replaced. While driving 50 MPH, the fuel pump failed and was replaced by the dealer. The fuel filter was the initial cause of the fuel pump failure, but it was not replaced. The current mileage was approximately 57,000 and failure mileage was 53,512.
Fuel System complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM, 6% of the model year's 325 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Pontiac Grand AM fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 8 injuries and 6 deaths to fuel & propulsion system 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.