IllustrationWHILE DRIVING FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND WHEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
54 reportsMY 2002 GRAND AM SE WAS NOT ACCELERATING. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED. DEALER SAID IT WAS MY FAULT DUE TO NOT ENOUGH OIL CHANGES AND SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. I CALLED PONTIAC FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS TREATED RUDELY! UPON TAKING THE GRAND AM TO ANOTHER MECHANIC (NON-DEALER) IT WAS FOUND THAT…
Read full complaint
MY 2002 GRAND AM SE WAS NOT ACCELERATING. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THE TIMING CHAIN HAD JUMPED. DEALER SAID IT WAS MY FAULT DUE TO NOT ENOUGH OIL CHANGES AND SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. I CALLED PONTIAC FOR ASSISTANCE AND WAS TREATED RUDELY! UPON TAKING THE GRAND AM TO ANOTHER MECHANIC (NON-DEALER) IT WAS FOUND THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO JUMP. YET THE DEALER DID NOT CATCH THIS. NEW MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANY TRACE OF SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE CAUSING THE PROBLEM AS THE DEALER SAID. WHILE IT WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION, THE DEALER CAUSED MORE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE BY STARTING IT WITH A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN.*AK
PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2001. OIL CHANGED EVERY 3,000 MILES AND ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. AT 40,000 MILES LOWER INTAKE GASKET BEGAN LEAKING. REPLACED MYSELF, FOLLOWED MANUAL PRECISELY. UPON REASSEMBLY ENGINE BEGAN NOCKING. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CITED BAD LIFTERS AND REPLACED THEM.*AK
THIS IS THE 2ND GRAND AM I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH TIMES THE INTAKE GASKET HAS STARTED LEAKING THE FIRST ON STARTED LEAKING AT 74.000 MILES AND MY NEW ONE STARTED LEAKING AT 30.000 MILES... WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE GASKETS THE FIRST ONE WAS A 1999 AND THE NEW ONE IS A 2002. *CB
I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR PROBLEMS AND THEY CAN TYPICALLY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT FIX IT. I HAVE HAD 3 BRAKE JOBS ON MY CAR, AS WELL AS THE CALIPERS REBUILT, AND MY BRAKES STILL DO NOT WORK RIGHT. THE ABS SYSTEM FAILS CONSTANTLY. I EXPERIENCE SLIDES ON DRY SURFACES EVEN. I ALSO HAVE TRANSMISSI…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR PROBLEMS AND THEY CAN TYPICALLY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT FIX IT. I HAVE HAD 3 BRAKE JOBS ON MY CAR, AS WELL AS THE CALIPERS REBUILT, AND MY BRAKES STILL DO NOT WORK RIGHT. THE ABS SYSTEM FAILS CONSTANTLY. I EXPERIENCE SLIDES ON DRY SURFACES EVEN. I ALSO HAVE TRANSMISSION, COOLANT, AND FUELING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD A FUEL PUMP REPLACED FINALLY, AFTER THE 3RD TIME OF TAKING IT IN FOR NOT STARTING, 2 TIMES PRIOR THERE WAS NOTHING SUPPOSEDLY WRONG. ALSO, I AM STILL GETTING ONLY 125 MILES ON A TANK OF GAS. THEY AN RECIPROCATE THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT. I ALSO KEEP GETTING A LOW COOLANT AND CHECK ENGINE MESSAGE LIGHTS BUT THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG. THE POWER WINDOWS ALSO DRAG AND MAKE MARKS ON THE WINDOW SURFACES. THEY ARE VERY SLOW ROLLING UP. THE LIGHT IN THE RADIO AREA FADES IN AND OUT, AND THE RADIO GOES OFF AND ON ALOT AS WELL AS ONLY THE FRONT SPEAKERS WORK PRIMARILY. BACK DO NOT. ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS, AND CAUSES CAR TO REV UP TO 5000 RPMS VERY SCARY!*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE SES (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT, THE DAY LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE SES (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT, THE DAY LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THE SOLUTION WAS A LOOSE FUEL CAP SEAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START, THE SOLUTION WAS REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN THE VEHICLE DIDN'T START THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE RPM DROPPED/STALLED AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS NO FUEL PUMP PRESSURE AND THE SENDER FUEL PUMP/FUEL TANK UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HARD START WHERE THE PROBLEM WASN'T DIAGNOSED AND THE SOLUTION WAS TO PLACE THE WASHER ON THE GROUND WIRE. WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE LIGHTS HAD COME ON, NO POWER WAS SENT TO THE GAS PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERED, THE GAS GAUGE REGISTERED THE FUEL FOLLOWED BY THE ENGINE SURGING. (NOTHING REGISTERED THE RPMS) *SCC *JB
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT INTERMITTENTLY THE ENGINE WILL JUST STOP AND ALL POWER IS LOST.. I HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR ON THE FREEWAY AND ALSO ON CITY STREETS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS.*AK
WHILE DRIVING TIMING CHAIN BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.*AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. IT WILL BE HARD TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK STARTED.DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
CONSUMER LEASED VEHICLE NEW IN 06/02. AFTER 1 MONTH THE HEAD GASKET BLEW WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPAIRED, BUT INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER. DEALER REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT GASKET BLEW 4 MONTHS LATER. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE 5X FOR BLOWN HEAD GASKETS SINCE LEASE. *NLM
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.