For no reason the horn would start blowing constantly while it was parked, locked up, in the driveway. Pulled the fuse to stop it. Next day, replaced the fuse and it was ok. Few months later it did it again. Had three occurances after that. Local dealer wants $100.00 plus just to check it out and wouldn't tell me if there was a recall or problems with that. Searching the web lately, I found many complaints of similar electrical issues. I have my daughter driving it to college and want the horn working. I don't feel I should pay someone to repair this when it's an issue of the electrical system being defective. I have had this car since new and want my daughter to have the horn working correctly and not going off at will. I replaced the horn ring contact in the steering column and that was not the problem. How do I get this repaired? It is a safety issue driving it with no horn and I shouldn't have to pay for a defect' please respond to me on this issue. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2003 Pontiac Grand Am electrical complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 134, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Beginning in october 2010, the security light showed up on my car dashboard. It briefly was lit and would disappear. Over the next few weeks and months, my car would randomly not start and the security light would flash on. I had to have the car towed each time to the dealership which at the time of arrival, the car would then run and the light had disappeared. I was told there was nothing that could be done unless the car was not working. This was very costly in tows and missing work. Then I noticed as I would be driving, random single puffs of smoke coming from the steering wheel column. I described it to the dealership and they thought I was crazy. After this happening over and over finally I was told the ignition switch had been fried and needed to be replaced before a fire started and the car would not start again. I wish there would be a recall as I see this seems to be a common and expensive repair problem in pontiac grand am's. What would have happened if my car had started on fire as I was driving!
My car randomly fails to start. We disconnected the battery to check the terminals. Terminals were clean. As we were tightening the nut on one of the terminals the vehicle started by itself. The keys were not in the vehicle.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the vehicle would not initially start up. After a few moments, the vehicle was able to be started and taken to a local repair shop, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact also stated that when driving for more than 30 minutes with the heat or air conditioner on, the vehicle would suddenly stall and shut down. She let it sit for 30 minutes and it would restart, but the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where a fuel pump was installed but the failure occurred again after the repair. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was approximately 113,000. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 07/01/11
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that a fuse had blown from the ignition module, wires had broken and shorted and connectors of coil pack smoked and burned. They repaired and rerouted the power steering pressure hose because the hose was putting pressure on the wiring and connector. The manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 152,482.
2003 pontiac grand am - turn signals as well as hazard lights not working. Also hood not closing/locking properly, very dangerous. Purchased from lima auto mall in lima, ohio.
My girlfriends 03 pontiac grand am gt just stopped starting....it ran fine today..then when we got home and shut the car off for about an hour then came back out to leave I turned the key and nothing! Like all the lights and everything works..I took a screw driver and tried jumping the starter and it just spins freely and doesn't engage the flywheel..it's happened once before..what's the problem and how do I fix it? We need it fixed asap!!!
03 grand am. To start off with, I had the same random clicking sound. I bought a new switch from advanced, and the problem was fixed. For years now the security light will come on when driving randomly, but the car will not shut off or not turn on. But now I am having major electrical issues with everything else. Sometimes cruise control cuts off on its own. When I start the car sometimes nothing electrical will come on. Sometimes the instrument panel will but not the A/C controls or headlights. Or vise verse. It is all random. It will eventually come on when driving. If I drive in the dark, I have to have my headlights, so there is an issue. I do not want to wait until a recall is made because pontiac does not care about us because we already paid for the car. I just want to know how to fix it. I cannot afford dealer prices. So does anyone know how to fix the issues?
The security light in my car flashes and my car wont start leaving me & my kids stranded. This happens all the time. We have changed the fuel pump and now we are being told to change the brain or the ignition. Tired of being stranded w my kids!
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. He entered the vehicle and upon turning the key in the ignition it would not start. He replaced the battery but the vehicle again would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where he was informed the vehicle would not start due to a failure of the security system. The vehicle was repaired and he was also informed of a method to bypass the failure in case it recurs. The failure has since recurred 20 times. During the most recent failures the horn would also begin to sound. After the final failure the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 85,000. The VIN was unavailable.
I have 3 different problems with my 2003 grand-am and after doing research I've found out that numerous of others are experiencing the same problems. 1st complaint-the pass lock security. When I go to start my car the engine will not turn over. This may happen several times a day. My last grand-am did the same thing. I found that you have to turn to key to the on position and wait 10 minutes. On saturday I had 4 stops to make and all 4 times it would not start. 2nd complaint- I've almost gotten rear ended due to the fact my turn signals do not work all the time. Iv'e read on several post sights that people are having the same problem. Several said that when the hazard button was replaced it the problem was resolved. 3rd problem and the most serious. Several times this year from out of nowhere my accelerator pedal sticks. Twice I was at a stoplight and had my foot off the brake pedal and all of a sudden my car just took off, thank goodness I was not close to the car in front of me or I would have rearended that car. My husband told me to look and see if there were any recalls on my car. I did and I found out that 2003 grand ams were having this same problem. I called gm and reported the problem and was told that my VIN# did not fall within the VIN range!!! I'm having the same problem and my VIN# is not in the same range????...I don't get it. Why are these problems not being looked into by gm? If several people are having the same exact problem why is gm not doing anything about it?
This is regarding a 2003 pontiac grand am. There is defiantly a defect with the security/electrical system. I have read countless complaints about the same exact problem hundreds of people are having with the same exact car, and they are all asking, why is there not a recall??? It originally started back in march of 2010 with the car turning over when started, then shutting off right away with the security light flashing on the dash. After a bit of research, I learned that I could just turn the key to the acc and wait 10 minutes and the system will reset. But this would happen every 2 weeks or so, and makes the car pretty unreliable, just for that fact. Then about two weeks ago 5/26/10 I was driving home and it shut off on the highway. On the highway. I could have gotten killed. Now it won't start at all and it's because the electrical system wont let it. If so many people have the same complaint, why is there not a recall? This is defiantly a safety issue if it is shutting off while driving. I understand that gm has gotten a rect government bail out and a huge recall like this will not look good on the resume, but how can they expect to stay in business when they are knowingly putting out systems that fail? It's frustrating, because my car is perfect, all except for this one problem that is quite costly. I am also reading that others are dropping hundreds to "fix" this problem, only to have the same issue occur within weeks. I just don't have that kind of money to play around with, and I'd rather not worry that every time I drive my car that it might just shut off on me. It could get me killed, and that's a reality. It could do the same to thousands of people that have the same exact car. Who wants that much blood on their hands?
2003 pontiac grand am gt started not starting 8 months ago, not a regular thing on/off, been towed numerous times has cost alot of money in fees, had new ignition, new key. Old part is available. Tried turning key on waiting 10 minutes doesn't change anything. Car will start when it feels like it, sometimes leaving my young daughter at work late at night.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am with a factory installed security system. While approaching a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. She was able to turn the key in the ignition and all electrical components of the vehicle were operating, however the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where they replaced the entire computer system in the vehicle. On a later date, the failure occurred a second time. The vehicle was towed to a local service shop. The mechanic found the security system was defective. He advised putting the key into the ignition in the on position without starting, wait for the red security system light to stop blinking (10-15 minutes) and then proceed to start the ignition. On a separate occasion, the failure occurred again. The contact followed the mechanic's previous advice and was able to start the vehicle. The manufacturer had not yet been contacted. No additional repairs were made to the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were 74,797.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle she noticed that the key would not turn inside of the ignition switch. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The ignition cylinder was replaced 3 years prior to the recent failure. The current and failure mileages were 58000.
After pumping gas came back to my car and it wouldn't start. I had power but it wouldn't turn over. Banged on fuel line, replaced spark plugs. Put it in neutral and pushed it out of the gas terminal. Eventually figured out that if I put my key in accessory mode and sat for 10-15mins to wait for the security light to stop blinking that my car would start back up again. It was fine for a month then happened again. This time we thought it was the fuel line. Had it towed to a garage. Eventually started after putting it in accessory again. A part of the bcm was cleaned. Now this issue has been happening more and more frequently, to the car not starting almost every other day. While it hasn't been diagnosed, most likely it is an issue with the passlock security system. The past 4 times the car hasn't started, I put my key in acc and sat for 10 mins then it starts back up again.
Malfunction in the security system, where the car will not start. A 2003 pontiac grand am. When go to start the security systems acts as if someone is stealing the car, which our son is just trying to start his car to go to school. He was stranded at a gas station 3 months ago, & just last night stranded at a car wash. He had to push his car back home, since, everything was closed at the time. I have also noticed that, there have been many other people that has had the same problems with their vehicle as our son has. The car space automotive forums has got a whole list of complaints on their web-site of alot of people having the same and similar problem with their vehicle. The security pass lock problems, where the security light comes on flashing & then it shuts the car down, where then it will not start, until it is reset or fixed.
There are no warning signs, I have had no previous problems. I go to start my car and it just won't start. This happened to me twice in one week (this week). One time it was at 11:30pm and I was stuck in my car for 2 hours waiting for a tow truck. The tow truck driver suggested that I follow some steps to reset the security passlock system. I followed his instructions and nothing happened that night. Then next morning it started no problem. The exact same thing happened to me again last night after work and I had to have my car towed home. I tried to follow the steps to reset the passlock system which has been said to restart your car within 15 - 30 minutes. I tried it a few times throughout the night and nothing. Once again, I go to start my car in the morning and it started no problem.
I have a 2003 pontiac grand am v6. I bought it in 2005 from the dealer. Since then I've had to replace my ignition 3 times. The alarm system would go off in the middle of the night. The security signal would blink and my car would not and will not today for the 3rd time start. It has cut off on me on the freeway, I would pull over and the car start up after about 10 min. The sar not starting has been going on since I bought it most times it starts, but when it doesn't the tellme I have to replace my ignition. Im beginning to think its much more than that.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The contact noticed that whenever the vehicle was turned off, it would fail to restart immediately. The failure occurred intermittently and without warning. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 84,000. Updated 08/14/09. *lj the consumer stated the problem was within the security system. The turn signals would click while driving. Updated 08/14/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that the vehicle stalls and shuts down numerous times within three feet of her home. The entire vehicle loses power. Sometimes the vehicle will restart within five minutes or it will start and shut off at least four times before finally moving again. There are no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel before or after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the security system was the cause of the failure. The dealer is charging $800 for the repair, but there is no guarantee that the failure will not recur. The failure mileage was 80,000.
I own a 2003 pontiac grand am gt which I purchased brand new in 2003. The issue I along with many other gm owners am dealing with is the 'passlock' passive security system. My vehicle began experiencing problems with the passlock system at just 55,000 miles (which is absurd.) the problem is that the passlock system won't properly recognize a valid vehicle key and will require the driver to leave the key in the ignition in the "on" position for ten minutes before the vehicle can be started. After researching the problem online and speaking with other gm owners, my problem is in no way an isolated incident and is a definite widespread problem among gm owners that have their vehicle equipped with passlock. It is ridiculous for gm not to identify the issue as being recall-worthy. A colleague of mine had a similar instance occur in his honda accord which was ultimately fixed with honda issuing a recall on the vehicle. I feel that the recall is imperative based on the amount of money it would cost to fix this problem along with the issues that may occur when having to wait ten full minutes before leaving for your destination (for example, a wife in labor enroute to a hospital.) I realize gm's first and foremost concerning issue is their financial crisis and ability to stay afloat, but I am feeling quite "fed up" with their lack of quality such as: knobs falling off, brand new rattling cars, plastic fasteners for everything, having to remove half of my front end to change a headlight bulb, etc. The passlock issue was the straw on my camel's back.
A local pontiac dealership worked on my car for unrelated issues. When I went to pick up my car, the dealership could not find my keys. I had to get a spare set of keys from my home and finally pick up my car. After this incident occurred, I noticed the "security" light would come on randomly. Eventually, it would not start. Also on a random basis. This has happened countless times and I am absolutely frustrated. It is now happening on a weekly basis. I can't afford for this to happen any longer. The pontiac dealership has advised me that it will cost $400+ for this to be fixed. Again, I am unable to do that. I keep very good maintenance on my car and this is out of my control. I have re-set the passlock system as the pontiac dealership has advised me to and now it is happening more often. This is ridiculous and I should not have to deal with a situation like this.
I have been having trouble starting my car it will crank but not turn over but after a few tries it will finally start. It is a common problem within other grand ams. I have spent money on the problem but yet no one can find the problem.
Passlock security system would not allow my car to start. This has been an ongoing problem. I do not feel that I should have to pay gm for them to fix something that has documented problems.
The ignition switch failed and had to be replaced. The problem was that the car would turn on, but no electrical systems (power windows/locks, radio, climate control) would come on when the car started. Would magically come on a few miles down the road. Problem was becoming worse, and check engine light came on.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand am. After the contact turned the steering wheel with the turn signal activated, the signal clicking sound continued. Occasionally, the sound would stop after a few seconds, and at other times, it would continue. The clicking sound would also occur when the vehicle was started. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer. The current mileage was 181,000 and failure mileage was 179,000. *updated 04/30/08 *bf the consumer stated the fuse box is also giving her problems sometimes the gauge lights will not come on and may not start after attempting to fix the defect. Updated 04/23/08
Car stalling in starting. Car would attempt to turn over without success. Taken to 2 mechanics who could not identify the problem and one stated they could not even duplicate the problem. After getting stranded over a 2 week period around the holidays, the car was taken to the dealership which stated the module and coil needed to be replaced. Paid $500 to replace the items to be stranded the same day the car was picked up from service. Was then told it was short in the "new" module which shorted the PCM (?). 2 weeks later the car began acting up again with the same issue for me to take it to a different dealership, for them to lock my cylinder and then want to charge me $700+ dollars for them to repair something they broke. Then advised me that I would have to pay that for them to fix the lock cylinder and ignition switch for them to continue diagnosing the problem.
Passlock system doesn't allow car to start.
Horn blows when no one is around the car, or just driving down the road. Last time this happened the horn burnt out, the cruise control kicks in when not even on, the blinker makes a blinking sound inside the car.
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