NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 119 owner complaints for the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix. Most complaints involve engine (31) and electrical system (21). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.
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.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Grand Prix model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 79 |
| 1997 | 820 |
| 1998 | 499 |
| 1999 | 412 |
| 2000 | 461 |
| 2001 | 319 |
| 2002 | 339 |
| 2003 | 119 |
| 2004 | 454 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 239 |
| 2007 | 220 |
| 2008 | 143 |
“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 NHTSA 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*JB”
“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 OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT IN MARCH 2016. WHEN THE CONTACT ARRIVED FOR THE APPOINTMENT, THE DEALER CANCELLED AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WITH NO RESPONSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. ...UPDATED 06/30/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ON 05/04/16.*JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.1 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Grand Prix Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L, Sup Charg · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 119 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (31), electrical system (21), engine and engine cooling (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).