Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Debra J. Westfall-neighbour-loves controversy, and won't back down from expressing her anger or bafflement exhibited from half-assed parenting. Funny how she hates us snowflakes for sharing her entitled, materialistic narcissism. Five porch monkeys were using electric scooters on our street when one of them vandalised our driver side taillight. Turnpike commissions can confirm that latter in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Debra Westfall hates people who aren't genuine, and believes keeping us out of the loop justifies her behaviour. This leads to her central conflict and that mutability keeps gives that household insomnia. Tammy Pagareski, Louise Dobbins and Mark Westfall might confirm her character, if you can schmooze them into it. After two years of scooters driving around the city, this pilot program has finally ended according to local media stations. …
Since February of 2015, I have had a constant battle with my turn signal on passenger side of my car hindering my ability to signal properly and renewing my state inspection each year. Have spend large amounts of money attempting to fix this only to realize this is widespread and very common issue with my type and year vehicle. GM is aware of this dealer safety malfunction but is only recalled certain VIN numbers as to fix as few as possible. Not having turn signals has nearly caused me to be involved in several accidents. Please help me and tell me what I can do. Now on my third year and attempt to fix this ongoing safety defect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the hazard lights and the low beam headlight assembly failed to work without warning. The dealer was notified of the failure and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact also received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The dealer performed the recall repair; however, the failure recurred. In addition, while pulling into the driveway, the ignition fractured without warning. The vehicle was not able to be driven. The dealer stated that they were not responsible for repairing the vehicle and provided no remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 177,724. Updated 09/09/15 updated 11/02/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. The stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the indicator lights functioned intermittently. The contact stated that on one occasion the hazard light remained illuminated. The contact was able to remove a fuse to disable the hazard light. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the turn signal indicator switch needed to be replaced. The part was replaced however, the failure recurred three times. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving at any speed, the turn signal lights failed to activate. The light bulbs were replaced; however, the failure recurred continuously. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
I have been having issues with the electrical systems in my car for the last 1-1/2 years. When I turn on the car the dash lights/headlights/radio/windows and heater/ac usually won't work right away. While I AM driving, they will pop on or off depending on the bumps on the road. Six months ago, the "security" light on my dash started to give me trouble. Apparently, the car sometimes thinks that I AM not using the correct ignition key and won't start. I now have to budget an extra 10 minutes into my drive time everywhere I go on the chance that the car's security system needs to reset itself (I had to find the "fix" to this issue on youtube.com which another GM car owner posted, since there was nothing remotely helpful about it in my owner's manual). I went to a dealer to get the insert to my keys and it has not solved any of these problems. …
The lamps on my gt Grand AM aren't right do to the low beams being brighter than the high beems. And water is in the lamp. And my car will not start and I called and told you all of this. And I worked on it some and moved some wires and it stared to work once again. And now down again.it will not do a thing but light up the dash. So I replaced the keystarter and it still doesn't do anything. My daughters car is also a Grand AM and it locked up on her too and would not start .lord forbid if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and the fact that we are women, hopefully nothing bad would happen. She replaced the ignition which was the problem with her vehicle but it is not the case with my vehicle. I was hearing click click in the dash a lot and can not tell what it is and not sure if it is a short. And it is not fair we bought the vehicle and it seems like a death trap. …
Bought the vehicle used. 2003 Pontiac Grand AM 3.4l v6. Constant ticking from hazard light switch. Grounding problems. Looked for recalls at GM dealership. No recalls on the problem. No choice but to remove hazard light fuse until repair. Should have been covered by GM. Gonna cost us $500! The transmission cooling lines rotted away causing coolant spraying everywhere causing white smoke and overheating of the engine. Spraying the serpentine belt and water pump. With visual inspection and touching confirmed spot. 3/4 of reservoir is leaked out causing rust on sub frame. Also front rocker panel bad. Front passenger panel rotted out. Bad oxidizing on the manifold cover and exhaust manifold cover. Shame on GM for not covering all gas on the hazard light malfunction and multi switch issues.
My car is a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM. I purchased it in 2004. In September of 2006 my dashboard starting making clicking noises that sound like the blinker. This became worse within a month and the steering column began smoking occasionally out of the place where the "multifunction switch" is. I replaced the part in October of 2006. Recently, (06/08) 19 months after the manufacturers warranty ended, the multifunction switch is now clicking again. I contacted Pontiac both times and was told that nothing could be done and that the problem would need to be paid for out of pocket. To me this is a severe safety issue. My car could have started on fire due to the multifunction switch. A recall should be done for this part on my GM product.
Turn signals would stop working at different times. Started researching and found some VIN#'s were recalled while others weren't. Some complaints stated if you push the hazard button when they don't work that they will start working. I tried this and it did work. Numerous complaints all over the web about same problem. Contacted Pontiac who didn't want to fix the problem. They had no concern that there were numerous other issues with the same cars. Common sense would say if they are doing the same thing as the others that were recalled then it should be fixed by Pontiac. This is something that can very well cause a crash. I will continue to do what I have to for Pontiac to acknowledge the problem.
Headlight complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 65 complaints about the lights of the 2003 Pontiac Grand AM, 20% of the model year's 325 complaints. The component named most often is hazard flashing warning lights › switch (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Pontiac Grand AM headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.