IllustrationOIL LEAK OIL LEAKING ON HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING FIRE WHILE EITHER RUNNING OR DRIVING MAY CAUSE ENGINE FIRE DON'T SEEM SAFE TO ME SOMEONE OWNNG AND DRIVING THIS CAR AS I SMELL OIL BURNING WHEN I SHUT OFF CAR NOT SAFE TO ME IF GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT'S THE WAY I WANNA GO CAR FIRE SAFTY ISSUE HMMMM.
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
240–25K
5125–50K
6350–75K
5875–100K
49100–150K
25150K+
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
Engine complaints
11 reportsOIL LEAK OIL LEAKING ON HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD CAUSING FIRE WHILE EITHER RUNNING OR DRIVING MAY CAUSE ENGINE FIRE DON'T SEEM SAFE TO ME SOMEONE OWNNG AND DRIVING THIS CAR AS I SMELL OIL BURNING WHEN I SHUT OFF CAR NOT SAFE TO ME IF GM KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT'S THE WAY I WANNA GO CAR FIRE SAFTY ISSUE HMMMM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CRASHED INTO A CURB, DEFLATING THE TIRE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CRASHED INTO A CURB, DEFLATING THE TIRE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-90 EAST GOING THROUGH SOUTH DAKOTA. THE WEATHER WAS BAD AND THE ROAD WAS ICY AND VERY SLICK. THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER THAT ROLLED OVER ON THE ROAD AND I DID NOT SEE IT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THERE WERE ABOUT 10 CARS IN BACK OF THE TRUCK AND I COULD NOT STOP. I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE BACK END OF A …
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-90 EAST GOING THROUGH SOUTH DAKOTA. THE WEATHER WAS BAD AND THE ROAD WAS ICY AND VERY SLICK. THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER THAT ROLLED OVER ON THE ROAD AND I DID NOT SEE IT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THERE WERE ABOUT 10 CARS IN BACK OF THE TRUCK AND I COULD NOT STOP. I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE BACK END OF A 1 TON TRUCK. IT DID NOT DO ANY DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK BUT IT COMPLETELY TOTALED MY CAR. I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD , LEFT ARM AND HAND. I SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND MY HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED IT THE SIZE OF A GRAPEFRUIT BEFORE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THEY DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER I WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHICH IS BS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND AN XRAY OF MY HEAD WAS NEVER DONE. THEY TOOK AN XRAY OF MY ARM AND HAND AND SAID I HAD A CONTUSION. MY HEAD WAS BIG AND SWOLLEN AND SO WAS MY ARM AND HAND AND I HAD HEADACHES FOR A MONTH AND A HALF AND I STILL DON'T FEEL VERY WELL SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I TRIED TO FILE A CLAIM AGAINST GM FOR THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS ON THE CAR AND THEY WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN STURGIS SD AND THE STATE PATROL DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER AT FAULT WAS THE DRIVER OF THE 18 WHEELER TRUCK. I GOT NO COMPENSATION WHATSOEVER FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THE TOW COMPANY ENDED UP STEALING MY CAR. *TR
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAVE MANY PROBLEMS INCLUDING CAR SHUTTING OFF AT ANY TIME WHILE IN MOTION. *TA THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLES DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO SPUTTER WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOUL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND BACK ON BEFORE IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLES DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO SPUTTER WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FOUL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF AND BACK ON BEFORE IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,798.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
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…
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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
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THE ENGINE STARTED BACK UP AGAIN AND THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AS OF MAR 8, 2014 THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED RUNNING IN THIS FASHION 5 TIMES. TWICE IT WOULD …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR PRIOR TO THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THE ENGINE STARTED BACK UP AGAIN AND THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR AGAIN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. AS OF MAR 8, 2014 THE VEHICLE HAS STOPPED RUNNING IN THIS FASHION 5 TIMES. TWICE IT WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY TWO MECHANICS FOR THIS ISSUE WITH NO RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. *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.