TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WOULD NOT RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,680 UPDATED 8/19/14*CN
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 reportsI BOUGHT MY 2002 GRAND AM ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TURN SIGNALS MADE A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO IT SEEMS. SOMETIMES THE SIGNALS WORK CORRECTLY. OTHER TIMES THEY BLINK TOO FAST, TOO SLOW, MAKE A BUZZING NOISE WITH NO BLINKING OR THEY BUZZ AND BLINK. THIS IS HIGHLY ANNOYING. I HAVE AL…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY 2002 GRAND AM ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TURN SIGNALS MADE A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO IT SEEMS. SOMETIMES THE SIGNALS WORK CORRECTLY. OTHER TIMES THEY BLINK TOO FAST, TOO SLOW, MAKE A BUZZING NOISE WITH NO BLINKING OR THEY BUZZ AND BLINK. THIS IS HIGHLY ANNOYING. I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN A TICKET FOR FAILING TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL. IT JUST BUZZED WITH NO BLINKING AND WHEN I WENT TO PROVE IT TO THE OFFICER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM, IT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE! HOW CONVENIENT! ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR IT WONT TURN OVER OR CRANK. I'VE NOTICED THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AROUND THE TIME THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY KEY ON THE ON POSITION FOR 15 MINS AND THEN IT WILL START. FROM THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE THIS IS A PASS LOCK SECURITY FEATURE WHICH SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM. *JS
THIS VEHICLE, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE, MANY OTHERS ARE AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE, THE SAME MODEL, JUST VARYING IN YEARS. THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO START THE CAR WHATSOEVER. AND DUE TO NO PROBLEM BEING REPORTED BY GENERAL MOTORS, MECHANICS HAVE LITTLE IDEA OF WHAT TH…
Read full complaint
THIS VEHICLE, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE SEEN ONLINE, MANY OTHERS ARE AFFECTED BY THE SAME ISSUE, THE SAME MODEL, JUST VARYING IN YEARS. THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO START THE CAR WHATSOEVER. AND DUE TO NO PROBLEM BEING REPORTED BY GENERAL MOTORS, MECHANICS HAVE LITTLE IDEA OF WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. CAUSING A MASSIVE WASTE OF MONEY, THIS ISSUE HAS PLAGUED OUR CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. AND DUE TO NO ISSUE BEING REPORTED BY GENERAL MOTORS, MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE SAID IT IS THE FUEL PUMP. WE HAVE WASTED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON FALSE DIAGNOSIS WHEN THE ISSUE IS THE IGNITION SWITCH! I AM DOING THIS NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD OF ALL THE RECALLS GM IS DOING WITH OTHER VEHICLES DATING BACK TO THEIR 2003 MODELS. AND WHEN I SEE THAT OUR MODEL ISN'T EVEN ON ANY OF THE LISTS, EVEN FOR THE NEWER YEARS. IT BUGS ME. JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE, OUT CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY! WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER, IT TOOK ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR OF USING THE IGNITION RESET TRICK TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN! MANY OTHERS HAVE THIS ISSUE FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN, I SEE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR COMPLAINING. AND ONLINE I SEE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE DEALING WITH THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE! THIS PROBLEM COULD KILL SOMEBODY!!! *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHERS CAR WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN COMING UP ON A HILL GOING DOWN FELT LIKE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. COMING DOWN THE HILL IS WHEN I NOTICED MY EBRAKE DIDN'T EVEN WORK. MY BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND MY SECURITY LIGHT WERE ON. THEN COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR WENT IN WRONG LANE AND HIT HEAD ON WITH…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHERS CAR WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN COMING UP ON A HILL GOING DOWN FELT LIKE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. COMING DOWN THE HILL IS WHEN I NOTICED MY EBRAKE DIDN'T EVEN WORK. MY BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND MY SECURITY LIGHT WERE ON. THEN COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR WENT IN WRONG LANE AND HIT HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT TURNING THE KEY. THE FAILURE RECURRED DAILY OVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START UNTIL AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT TURNING THE KEY. THE FAILURE RECURRED DAILY OVER A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 5/19/14*CN
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 02/14/2002 - I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER - 70,000 ORIGINAL MILES - THIS CAR HAS DIED (STOPPED RUNNING) GOING THE A FREEWAY GOING 65 TO 70 MPH - IT HAS DIED AT RED LIGHTS WHILE IDLING - THIS CAR HAS DIED MANY MANY TIMES - IT HAS BEEN TOWED INTO A GM DEALERSHIP TWICE AND BEEN THERE FOR 7 DAYS EACH TIME - …
Read full complaint
THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 02/14/2002 - I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER - 70,000 ORIGINAL MILES - THIS CAR HAS DIED (STOPPED RUNNING) GOING THE A FREEWAY GOING 65 TO 70 MPH - IT HAS DIED AT RED LIGHTS WHILE IDLING - THIS CAR HAS DIED MANY MANY TIMES - IT HAS BEEN TOWED INTO A GM DEALERSHIP TWICE AND BEEN THERE FOR 7 DAYS EACH TIME - WHY ARE PONTIACS GRAND AM(S) NOT ON THIS RECALL LIST ?? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN HESITATION AS THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TRAC WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK C…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN HESITATION AS THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE TRAC WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER, FUEL PUMP AND BATTERY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. MY BLINKER ONLY WORKS SOME TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSES BUT IT HAS NOT CHANGED ANYTHING. AS I TRIED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE ONLINE FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF POSTINGS BY PEOPLE WITH PONTIAC GRAND SAM'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALSO SURPRISED TO SEE THE…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. MY BLINKER ONLY WORKS SOME TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSES BUT IT HAS NOT CHANGED ANYTHING. AS I TRIED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE ONLINE FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF POSTINGS BY PEOPLE WITH PONTIAC GRAND SAM'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALSO SURPRISED TO SEE THERE WAS NOT YET A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS WERE OTHER OWNERS AS I READ THERE COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DID NOT PURCHASE MY VEHICLE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A RISK OF AN ACCIDENT OR GETTING A TICKET. PLEASE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. *TR
IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, GM WAS TO UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO COVER VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327, FOR A NO COST REPLACEMENT. LETTERS TO OWNERS WERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT JUNE 2006. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL GM/PONTIAC DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULT…
Read full complaint
IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, GM WAS TO UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO COVER VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327, FOR A NO COST REPLACEMENT. LETTERS TO OWNERS WERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT JUNE 2006. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL GM/PONTIAC DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH/TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD SWITCH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY SPECIAL POLICY OR RECALL. HOWEVER, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH IS NOT THE MAIN PROBLEM, IT IS THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. EVEN IF THEY HAD REPLACED A HAZARD SWITCH IT WOULD NOT HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, WHICH IS CONTAMINATED GREASE THAT HAD BRIDGED THE CONTACTS OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY GM/PONTIAC. *TR
MY CAR HAS A DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH IN WHICH IT WONT STAR AN I CONTINUE TO BE STRANDED AT THE WORST POSSIBLE TIMES. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AN FOUND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AN THANK GM SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY PEOPLE FOR THEIR LACK OF EFFORT IN FIXING THE ISSUE . *TR
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.
Illustration