2003 Pontiac Grand Prix Engine Problems

The vehicle overheated and caught fire.

NHTSA ID

11737330

Incident

May 11, 2026

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

NHTSA ID

11279685

Incident

Nov 11, 2019

Mileage

69,000 mi

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. *JB

NHTSA ID

11204766

Incident

Apr 3, 2017

Mileage

192,599 mi

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

NHTSA ID

11098924

Incident

May 23, 2018

Mileage

106,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11084948

Incident

Apr 13, 2018

Mileage

226,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11052544

Incident

Dec 3, 2017

Mileage

236,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11022999

Incident

Sep 12, 2017

Mileage

136,000 mi

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 NHTSA 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.

NHTSA ID

10968708

Incident

Feb 18, 2017

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10947430

Incident

Oct 30, 2016

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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 182,000.

NHTSA ID

10926665

Incident

Nov 15, 2016

Mileage

182,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V116000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) MONTHS LATER. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, UPON RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL, AND SMOKE APPEARED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIREFIGHTER EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES AND PROVIDED AN INSPECTION REPORT OF THE FAILURE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD OPEN A CLAIM IN THREE BUSINESS DAYS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE HOW THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGAD EXCESSIVELY DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10911116

Incident

Oct 1, 2016

Mileage

179,000 mi

I'VE BEEN CONTACTING THE DEALER JIM HUDSON SINCE 12/30/15 , 3/8/16,4/20/16,5/10/16, CONCERNING OIL RUNNING DOWN FROM THE REAR VALVE COVER AS WELL AND YOU CAN SMELL THE OIL AS WELL I'M AFRAID THAT THE OIL WILL REACH A FLASH POINT AND IGNITE THE OIL AND BURN THE VEHICLE ENGINE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND OTHER PARTS. I'VE SPOKEN TO DAVID OUTEN AT THIS PHONE NUMBER 1-803-7830110, STILL WAITING FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

10873960

Incident

Jan 5, 2016

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

NHTSA ID

10861214

Incident

Nov 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SMOKE ENTERED THE VEHICLE FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ID

10851707

Incident

Mar 25, 2016

Mileage

134,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GRAND PRIX. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT OIL WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. AS A RESULT, THE WIRING HARNESS, BRAKE LINES, AND BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 177,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

10851104

Incident

Mar 5, 2016

Mileage

177,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING AND SCRAPES TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BODY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10839015

Incident

Nov 19, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT NOT DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ID

10838694

Incident

Dec 1, 2015

Mileage

156,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. UPDATED 04/08/16*LJ UPDATED 04/12/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10825588

Incident

Nov 28, 2015

Mileage

55,000 mi

DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING LOT. UPON ENTERING THE BUILDING A FELLOW WORKER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE.

NHTSA ID

10821097

Incident

Jan 19, 2016

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS DRIPPING INTO THE RADIATOR AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10819036

Incident

Aug 10, 2015

Mileage

90,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT AS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID

10818026

Incident

Oct 1, 2015

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THERE WAS A FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT AND THE PASSENGER WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V710000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID

10816883

Incident

Oct 21, 2015

Mileage

138,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES, BUT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID

10811399

Incident

Nov 8, 2015

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V701000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000. UPDATED 05/24/16*LJ UPDATED 05/11/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID

10810855

Incident

Sep 24, 2015

Mileage

168,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, MASSIVE FLAMES IGNITED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED SAFELY TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE FACILITY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10810568

Incident

Oct 28, 2015