CLICKING NOISE IN DASH WHEN TURN SIGNALS ARE USED AND THEN TURNED OFF. ALSO, SAME CLICKING NOISE RANDOMLY. *JB
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Grand Am years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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.
Electrical System complaints
148 reportsSECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, THEN CAR WILL NOT START. HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ALONE AT NIGHT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I TOOK IT TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THE COMPUTER THAT THEY HOOKED IT UP TO SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, YET CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I AM TOLD IT IS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT TOOK 3 D…
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SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, THEN CAR WILL NOT START. HAS LEFT ME STRANDED ALONE AT NIGHT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I TOOK IT TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND THE COMPUTER THAT THEY HOOKED IT UP TO SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, YET CAR WILL NOT START. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I AM TOLD IT IS THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM. IT TOOK 3 DAYS FOR THE MECHANICS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION TO FIGURE THIS OUT. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND THE ONLY THING GM OFFERS IS A 600.00 BILL FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY ARE WELL AWARE EXISTS. *JB
2002 GM GRAND AM - WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON OUR 2002 GRAND AM. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I PAID $450 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT GM BUT IT IS STILL OCCURRING. I NOW RESET THE SYSTEM BY LEAVING THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10+ MINUTES, TURNED IT TO "OFF", AND THEN STARTED TH…
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2002 GM GRAND AM - WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM ON OUR 2002 GRAND AM. THE "SECURITY" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I PAID $450 TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT GM BUT IT IS STILL OCCURRING. I NOW RESET THE SYSTEM BY LEAVING THE KEY IN THE "ON" POSITION FOR 10+ MINUTES, TURNED IT TO "OFF", AND THEN STARTED THE CAR. IT FIRED RIGHT UP. DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST, BUT FOR NOW IT'S WORKING. I ALSO FEEL THAT GM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND MY INCONVENIENCES, BUT AM GETTING NO WHERE WITH THEM. KEN KILLEN, 9 DRAKE, KITIMAT B.C., CANADA, V8C1S3 *TR
I GOT THE CAR WITH 103,000 ON IT. RAN GREAT. ON MY WAY TO WORK I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO GET GAS. I PUMPED THE FUEL AND GOT INTO THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T FIRE. IT JUST KEPT TURNING OVER UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. I HAD IT TOWED WHERE I WORK, AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2…
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I GOT THE CAR WITH 103,000 ON IT. RAN GREAT. ON MY WAY TO WORK I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO GET GAS. I PUMPED THE FUEL AND GOT INTO THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO START IT BUT IT WOULDN'T FIRE. IT JUST KEPT TURNING OVER UNTIL THE BATTERY DIED. I HAD IT TOWED WHERE I WORK, AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS. ON 7-17-07 IT DIED AGAIN AT THE SAME PLACE. I WAS IN A PARKING SPOT THIS TIME SO I WASN'T WORRIED BUT I HAD TO WAIT 15+ MINUTES TO GET IT TO START. IT WAS THE PASS LOCK. I TALKED TO A GM DEALER, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE IGNITION CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT $500.00 TO $600.00 TO GET THE ITEM AND HAVE IT INSTALLED. I HAVE BEEN READING ON THE INTERNET THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I FELT THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY BIG PROBLEM IN THE CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. IF SOMEONE NEEDED TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL OR NEEDED TO PICK THEIR CHILD UP BECAUSE THE BABYSITTER COULDN'T MAKE IT. THE ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED , AND THE DEALER SHOULD PAY FOR ALL NECESSARY COSTS IN FIXING THE PROBLEM. *AK
HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 3/9/07 BECAUSE OF A CONSTANT CLICKING LIKE THE TURN SIGNAL BEING ON. THIS DID NOT STOP THE CLICKING BUT SLOWED IT DOWN. THE CLICKING WAS STILL THERE , AND TRACED TO THE STEERING COLUMN-TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. SOME DAYS THIS WAS CONSTANT, OTHERS IT WAS SLOW BUT VERY ANNOYING. *AK
I OWN A PONTIAC GRAND AM 2002. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTING FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I WENT TO THE CAR REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY CHARGED ME ABOUT 200.00 TO RESET THE SYSTEM. A WEEK LATER THE SE…
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I OWN A PONTIAC GRAND AM 2002. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTING FOR THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THERE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE PASS LOCK SECURITY SYSTEM. I TURNED THE IGNITION ON AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. I WENT TO THE CAR REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY CHARGED ME ABOUT 200.00 TO RESET THE SYSTEM. A WEEK LATER THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM WAS THE CAR STARTING WHEN IT WANTED TO START. I HAD TO WAIT 10+ MINUTES TO RESET THE SYSTEM BEFORE THE CAR COULD START AGAIN. I FELT THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED BY GM. *AK
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM - FOUR DOOR VEHICLE. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. ALL FOUR TIRES LEAKED AIR AND I NEEDED TO CONSTANTLY TO CHECK AND FILL ALL FOUR TIRES. THEY SEEMED TO LEAK A RANDOM PACES LOSING AIR AT DIFFERENT RATES. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDIN…
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM - FOUR DOOR VEHICLE. IT CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES. ALL FOUR TIRES LEAKED AIR AND I NEEDED TO CONSTANTLY TO CHECK AND FILL ALL FOUR TIRES. THEY SEEMED TO LEAK A RANDOM PACES LOSING AIR AT DIFFERENT RATES. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, INCLUDING NOISE FROM THE TIRES SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. THE DEALERSHIP AGREED TO REPLACE TWO OF THE TIRES PER SOME SERVICE BULLETIN BUT ONCE THEY WERE ROTATED, THE NOISE STARTED UP AGAIN. ALSO, HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS REMAINING ON WHEN UTILIZING MIST FOR UP TO 25 SWIPES. THE WIPERS ALSO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN USING MIST OR THE INTERMITTENT OPTION. THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOW BUTTONS ONLY WORKED ON OCCASION OTHER THAN THOSE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. AT APPROXIMATELY 33,000 MILES WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, A VALVE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ANTIFREEZE/OIL LEAKING WITH THE POTENTIAL OF BURNING OUT THE ENGINE. CLEARLY THIS HAS BEEN JUST ONE PROBLEM AFTER ANOTHER. AM COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED IN PONTIAC. THIS WAS MY FIRST (AND LAST) PONTIAC PURCHASE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF ISSUES WITH THE CAR. THE INTENT AT PURCHASE WAS THAT THIS VEHICLE COULD THEN BE PASSED TO MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER WHO WILL BEGIN DRIVING THIS YEAR, KNOWING THAT I HAVE MAINTAINED THE CAR AND IT HAS LOW MILEAGE. AT HIS POINT, I AM CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED AND WERE OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED FOR 3 WEEKS, AND THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED FOR 6 DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED , AND SHE RECEIVED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED AND WERE OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED FOR 3 WEEKS, AND THE TURN SIGNAL FAILED FOR 6 DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS HOSPITALIZED AFTER THE VEHICLE FAILED , AND SHE RECEIVED FROST BITE WHILE WAITING ON THE TOW TRUCK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,180 , AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68320. *AK SPOKE WITH CONSUMER 10/16/07, NEED TO RE-SEND FORM. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BECAUSE THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE NYS THRUWAY. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED UPDATED *JB
REPEATED PASSLOCK FAILURE ON 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. HAVE HAD TO HAVE TOWED 3 TIMES TO HAVE RESET. *JB
4 TIMES NOW MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM 2.2LTR, 4DR CAR HAS NOT STARTED. I WILL HAVE IT TOWED AND ONCE IT GETS TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT STARTS. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 4 TIMES NOW, AND HAVING TO PAY FOR TOWING AND DIAGNOSTICS TESTS RUN. THIS LAST TIME, I ALMOST PAID FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP, THEN IT STARTED WORKING. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT …
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4 TIMES NOW MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM 2.2LTR, 4DR CAR HAS NOT STARTED. I WILL HAVE IT TOWED AND ONCE IT GETS TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT STARTS. THIS HAS LEFT ME STRANDED 4 TIMES NOW, AND HAVING TO PAY FOR TOWING AND DIAGNOSTICS TESTS RUN. THIS LAST TIME, I ALMOST PAID FOR A NEW FUEL PUMP, THEN IT STARTED WORKING. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF THIS MODEL OF CARS, AND THAT IS HAS TO DO WITH THE PASSLOCK ANTI THEFT SYSTEM. *JB
Official recalls
114V400000 · 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
1PE05055 · 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.
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