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2002 Pontiac Grand Am

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Grand Am years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Am are substantially higher than the model-year median of 82.

About this comparison →
395Owner complaints

Model-year median: 82

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
849
1999675
2000538
2001395
2002325
2003293
2004102
2005
Compare all Grand Am years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
148Exterior Lighting
97Engine And Engine Cooling
54Service Brakes, Hydraulic
29Visibility
23
All reported categories
Steering
22Air Bags
19Power Train
13Tires
12Engine
11Equipment
11Suspension
10Service Brakes
9Unknown Or Other
9Structure
8Wheels
8Fuel System, Gasoline
7Fuel/propulsion System
6Seats
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Latches/locks/linkages
4Seat Belts
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Parking Brake
3Fuel System, Other
2Interior Lighting
2Service Brakes, Air
2

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

270 reports with mileage · 125 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 148 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 97 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 54 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

22 crash reports3 fire reports16 injury reports

What owners actually said

395 reports
179,486 miles · Mar 15, 2020
Unknown Or Other

MY PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 4DS 3.4 LITER ENGINE 2002 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & STAYS ON & THEN WHEN I SHUT IT OFF & THEN GET BACK IN CAR TO START IT , IT WOULDN'T START THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES & I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES OR FOR IT TO GO OUT LEAVING THE CAR IN ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES OR MORE EVERY …

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MY PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 4DS 3.4 LITER ENGINE 2002 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & STAYS ON & THEN WHEN I SHUT IT OFF & THEN GET BACK IN CAR TO START IT , IT WOULDN'T START THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES & I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES OR FOR IT TO GO OUT LEAVING THE CAR IN ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES OR MORE EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR TO START IT BUT ONCE I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE LIGHT GO'S OUT & THEN START CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON AGAIN WITHOUT FLASHING THEN WHEN I GET SHUT THE CAR DOWN & THEN START AGAIN THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AGAIN CAN'T START THE CAR AGAIN & THIS HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY NON STOP THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PARK MY CAR AT A SHOPPING CENTER OR MY PARKING SPOT AT MY CONDO. I TRIED EVERYTHING TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY UNDER THE HOOD FOR 20 MINUTES IT RESETS BUT IT STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT ON WHEN I START THE CAR UP THEN HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO STOP FLASHING THEN RESTART IT AGAIN AFTER THE STOPS FLASHING THEN IT STARTS BUT SECURITY LIGHT COMES BACK ON AGAIN. THEN IF I SHUT OFF I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES EVERY TIME . WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI #11318113

180,000 miles · Nov 28, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

I WAS DIVING DOWN HWY 70 GOING TO PICK UP MY FIRST DELIVERY FOR THE DAY WHEN, I'M NOT SURE HOW BUT THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE ON POSTION AND FELL OUT ON FLOOR, SCARED I WAS GOING TO CRASH I HURRIEDLY REACHED DOWN AND PUT IT BACK IN AND NOTICED THE SECURITY LIGHT HAD CAME ON AND WITHIN MINUTES IT LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF, LUCKILY…

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I WAS DIVING DOWN HWY 70 GOING TO PICK UP MY FIRST DELIVERY FOR THE DAY WHEN, I'M NOT SURE HOW BUT THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE ON POSTION AND FELL OUT ON FLOOR, SCARED I WAS GOING TO CRASH I HURRIEDLY REACHED DOWN AND PUT IT BACK IN AND NOTICED THE SECURITY LIGHT HAD CAME ON AND WITHIN MINUTES IT LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF, LUCKILY I AM A GOOD DRIVER AND DIDN'T CRASH BUT MANAGE TO GET OFF ROAD SAFELY. I'M SO GLAD WORSE DIDN'T HAPPEN. NOW I HAVE NO CAR AND PROBABLY LOST ALL 3 JOBS I HAD.

NHTSA ODI #11282802

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2019
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

I REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING BACK IN 2018 BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL ON IT HAS TO BE A AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE SINCE I PURCHASED MY FIRST CAR SINCE 2011 IT NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF

NHTSA ODI #11252536

127,000 miles · Aug 24, 2019
SteeringUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION - SHIFTS HARD, WENT OUT WITH OUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO GO, IT WOULDN'T GO PAST 10 MPH AND WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO 4TH RPM. POWER STEERING LEAKS BAD.

NHTSA ODI #11246229

220,000 miles · Jan 4, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR IT'S HAD A STRONG GAS ODOR THAT FILLS THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT GETS WORSE WHEN YOU RUN THE DEFROST AND WHEN THE GAS TANK IS ON E. IT'S AN EVERYDAY STRONG GAS ODOR AND MOST OF THE TIME IT'S EVERYTIME YOU DRIVE IT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IN ONE DAY OR HOW LONG OF A PERIOD AT A TIME.

NHTSA ODI #11165751

130,000 miles · Nov 26, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, BUT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS. WHEN THE HAZARD BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. THE CONTACT ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, BUT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS. WHEN THE HAZARD BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11153694

170,377 miles · May 18, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND SECURITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND SECURITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SECURITY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION CHEVROLET AT (407) 680-0751 (LOCATED AT 3707 W COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32808) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,377.

NHTSA ODI #11096699

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2018
Air Bags

'TAKATA RECALL' DETERIORATION OF AIRBAGS DUE TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND THE HEAT OF THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES

NHTSA ODI #11063941

165,478 miles · Jan 19, 2018
Electrical System

TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM ---- VEHICLE HAS 165,478 MILES CONTACT WAS GOING 10MPH WHEN BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING, IN TURN LANE TO TURN OFF MAIN ROAD AT NIGHT.. CONTACT WAS DRIVING HOME TWO NIGHTS AGO WHEN BLINKERS BOTH WENT OUT AND CONTACT WENT ONLINE AND LOOKED UP VIN NUMBER AND SAW TWO RECALLS. CONTACT STATED SHE …

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TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM ---- VEHICLE HAS 165,478 MILES CONTACT WAS GOING 10MPH WHEN BLINKERS STOPPED WORKING, IN TURN LANE TO TURN OFF MAIN ROAD AT NIGHT.. CONTACT WAS DRIVING HOME TWO NIGHTS AGO WHEN BLINKERS BOTH WENT OUT AND CONTACT WENT ONLINE AND LOOKED UP VIN NUMBER AND SAW TWO RECALLS. CONTACT STATED SHE HAD CALLED LOCAL GM DEALER AND GM STATE VEHICLE HAS NO RECALLS. CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC TO HAVE FUSES REPLACED . 0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN.... CB

NHTSA ODI #11063709

111,000 miles · Feb 22, 2017
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE OPERATING THE TURN SIGNAL EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, THE SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ODI #10956229

Official recalls

1

14V400000 · Electrical System:ignition

Jul 3, 2014

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE05055 · Turn Signal Failures

Opened Sep 27, 2005 · Closed Jan 13, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:switch

IN DECEMBER 2004, GM ISSUED A SPECIAL POLICY FOR MY 1999-2000 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327. THE POLICY COVERED TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURRED FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004.IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327.THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH.GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006.THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.