2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE 1 2.2 from North America

Summary:

At a loss as to what to say, other than my anger towards GM not standing by their products

Faults:

Had to replace the BCM module due to the passlock issue. I too had problems with my car not starting; the reset thing worked for a while, but if you don't already know, that won't work forever; after a while, the reset won't work.

They know there is a problem with the passlock system, because they tell you how to reset it in the book that comes with the car. They don't tell you that this will only work so many times. Eventually the passlock will completely shout you out.

I complained to GM Canada. They lead me to believe that they would help me out with the repair. What a joke that was on me. $226 toll bill and a $636.43 repair bill. GM help was $0.00. They offered me a free tire rotation; guess where I told them to put that too!!!

Never again will I ever own anything built by GM.

General Comments:

Loved the car, but this whole passlock thing and how they mislead me, turned me totally against GM.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th February, 2011

2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE1 3.4 from North America

Summary:

Good car for money, reliable car

Faults:

Power seat has gone.

ABS sensors/wheel bearing (don't buy replacement from the dealer; too expensive, Don't buy the cheapest Chinese ones either).

Key lock replaced as security (passlock) problems. Corner shop just guessing at the problem.

General Comments:

Routine maintenance... people do this! Stop complaining.

Car has been very reliable after finding a wiring problem, that in my opinion happens to many of these cars. People confuse it for security (passlock) problems because it gives the same symptoms. Only found after the car went completely dead. My mechanic found the wire harness passing through the fire wall to be very tight. And buried deep inside a bundle of wire, was a main wire going to the computer. It was broken, and caused the engine to stall on the highway and come back on a split second later. Some times it would not start at all, and 2 to 15 minutes later, it would start right up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2011

2003 Pontiac Grand Am from North America

Summary:

It looks great, handles good, rides nice

Faults:

Brakes started to pulsate at under 30000k. Dealer replaced rotors and pads. Rotors had already been turned prior to that, so they couldn't be turned again.

At 55000, the rotors had to be machined and new brake pads.

At 67000, rotors had to be replaced and new pads.

At 90000, brakes are pulsating quite bad, and will probably have to be machined.

General Comments:

Other than the brake problems, we have been quite happy with the performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th January, 2011

2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT1 3.4L V6 from North America

Summary:

Know the in's and out's of this GM product

Faults:

The battery after 2 years goes bad.

Replaced right front hub and bearing assembly 3 times.

Then year 3, the alternator goes bad, and also replaced left front hub and bearing assembly.

Year 4: got a blown head gasket, and had GM put in another engine for $2,400 with 75,000 miles on it.

Year 5: alternator goes bad, anti-theft system fails out, unable to start car, left tie rod replaced.

Year 6: replaced control arm bushings and sway bar.

Year 7: replaced right front hub and bearing assembly, Blown head gasket replace engine for $1,200 with 36,000 miles on it.

General Comments:

These V6 3.4 liter engines do not hold up long.

The front hub and bearing assembly should not wear out this quickly. These two issues seem to be consistent.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th October, 2010

2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 V6 from North America

Summary:

Avoid this car!! It has been nothing but trouble for me

Faults:

Where should I begin?

Service Engine Soon light came on at 205 miles for an emissions sensor. (Fixed for free by dealership)

Electronic glitches like dashboard only working when it feels like. (3 times so far since 6,490 miles)

Started getting V8 gas mileage at 15,344 miles.

Fuel pump went out at 22,600 miles. (wanted $300 to fix)

Intake manifold gasket started to leak, and had no warning of the engine getting hot, because the gauges were not working, which resulted in an engine seizure at 32,340 miles, 140 miles from home. ($4,500 to fix)

Transmission started to shift harsh from 1st into 2nd gear since 36,200 miles.

Service Engine Soon came on again at 38,500, so I parked it in my garage.

General Comments:

Car is pretty quick, and handles the street well, but has had a lot of reliability issues, and it doesn't even have 40,000 miles on it.

I parked the Grand Am in my garage, because I'm tired of all the problems I keep having. I'm back to driving my 1995 Saturn SC1, and it has 4 times the miles as this car, and it continues to serve me well. Don't buy this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st August, 2010

9th Feb 2011, 09:41

I love Grand Ams. In my experience they are good cars or else I wouldn't have bought my 3rd. My ex still drives and pays for my second Grand Am. The first one was traded in by the same ex for some dumb reason. None of them just died. My best friend has owned 2 and loves her 2003 SE.

I do also know that electronic issues can be created by improper installation of an aftermarket radio. The stock stereo is tied into the same power line as the entire car, including transmission and engine sensors. Most GMs in the same year ranges have this standard electrical systems.

Any car on the market has the need for minor repairs at some time. The good thing about the Grand Am is that parts are easy to obtain and cheap compared to other vehicles.