Reliability
Pontiac

Grand Prix (2003)

2003 · Full-Size Sedan · 4 engines
106 NHTSA Complaints
7 Recalls
37 Fire Reports
5 Crash Reports
View all 5 generations of the Pontiac Grand Prix → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

7.7 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar full-size sedans

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 55 powertrain complaints. A typical full-size sedan fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 72.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall55 complaints against about 72 for similar vehicles
7.7
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LG8

3.1L 6-cyl
21 complaints 21.0 per year
View details

L67

3.8L 6-cyl
15 complaints 15.0 per year
5 fire reports
View details

Pontiac Grand Prix Unidentified Engine

11 complaints 11.0 per year
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
3
interior
2
cooling
2
brakes
2
wheels tires
1
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac Grand Prix, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 47 owner complaints
Electrical System: 20 owner complaints
Cooling System: 16 owner complaints
Brakes: 9 owner complaints
Exterior: 8 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

On a used 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (47), the electrical system (20) and the cooling system (16). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix about the engine, all engines combined.
  2. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 20 owner complaints on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix about the electrical system.
  3. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 16 owner complaints on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix about the cooling system, all engines combined.
  4. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 9 owner complaints on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix about the brakes.
  5. Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix about the exterior lighting.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

Recalls (7)

15V701000Oct 26, 2015serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

09E025000May 11, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

09V116000Apr 8, 2009serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

09E012000Apr 7, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

09E005000Feb 17, 2009serious
Steering

DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.

Show 2 older recalls
08V118000Mar 12, 2008serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

07E021000Mar 12, 2007serious
Fuel System, Other

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints?

Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. The systems they name most often are the engine, the electrical system and the cooling system.

Is the 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix have?

NHTSA has 106 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix?

NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2003-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Pontiac Grand Prix?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the electrical system and the cooling system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Grand Prix have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 106 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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