The vehicle overheated and caught fire.
The worst 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine47
- Electrical20
- Body9
- Brakes9
- Lights8
- Fuel system5
- Seats5
- Tires4
- Transmission4
- Visibility4
- Acceleration3
- Suspension3
- Airbags2
- Steering2
- Wheels2
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
Recalls 3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 engines 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 number 15V701000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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 number 09V116000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engines front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engines 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 http://www.gmownercenter.com .
Recall number 08V118000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix 387
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the...
- This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement...
2003 Pontiac Grand Prix fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
| 3.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 16-17 | 25-27 | 19-20 |
What 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
Tl* 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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed and was deemed destroyed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 69,000. *dt
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!
Tl* 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. *bf 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 correctly because it was silicone.
Tl* 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.
Recall on engine pulled into driveway open hood car with smoking then it united fire there is oil on the drip pan but that's been going on for years never got a recall note in the mail
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked. The fire was extinguished by the contact. A police report was not filed. The failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The contact researched the VIN online and found the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
Car was idling in a drive through and smoke began pouring out of engine compartment. Shut off car and popped hood and the engine was on fire (visible flames) underneath where oil would be added to car. Fire department was called to extinguish fire. Previous owner repaired 2009 recalled part but I was unaware of 2015 recall.
The car had a recall. The engine oil dripped into the manifold and caught fire. The car is totaled now. I was inside of a walmart and the car was parked outside.
Compare the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
Is the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Owners have filed 106 complaints about the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, fewer than a typical Grand Prix model year.
What is the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix year score?
The 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Engine and cooling, with 47 complaints, typically around 119,000 miles. Next is electrical (20).
How many recalls does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix engine?
Yes, 3 recalls: 15V701000, 09V116000, 08V118000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Grand Prix have bad engine?
The Pontiac Grand Prix model years with the most engine complaints are 2000 (223 complaints), 1999 (201 complaints) and 1997 (180 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix range from 19 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.1L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 26 highway.
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