The vehicle overheated and caught fire.
2003 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems
47 complaints (44% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 119,000.
- owner complaints
- 47
- of this car's complaints
- 44%
- typical mileage
- 119,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 3
Which part fails
- Engine5
- Exhaust system2
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
- Cooling system1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
What 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand prix. While driving over 55 MPH, the accelerator pedal would erroneously depress, causing the speed to increase. The contact stated that the vehicle did not have a cruse control option. The contact also indicated that the engine hesitated when idling. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact notified carmart in radcliffe, ky of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 pontiac grand prix. The contact stated that the vehicle caught on fire while parked. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and no injuries were sustained. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling) after the failure occurred. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 pontiac grand prix. After just pulling out of a parking lot, the contact noticed smoke under the hood. While still in the vehicle, the contact noticed that there were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact also noticed flames coming from the hood by the windshield. The contact exited the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police and a fire report were filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac grand prix. While the vehicle was parked, smoke emitted under the hood and caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v701000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 182,000.
Questions about the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix engine
Does the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix have engine problems?
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, 44% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 119,000 miles.
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).
Other 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Electrical 20Body 9Brakes 9Lights 8Fuel system 5Seats 5Tires 4Transmission 4Visibility 4Acceleration 3Suspension 3Airbags 2Steering 2Wheels 2Locks 1Seat belts 1
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