IllustrationI 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
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
Power Train complaints
13 reportsTRANSMISSION IS SLIGHTLY SLIPPING I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE WHEEL HUBS CHANGED FOUR TIMES I'M ONLY THE SECOND OWNER THE FIRST OWNER WAS 80 WHEN THE CAR WAS SOLD IT HAS 122K ON IT AND IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE I WILL BE CONTACTING MY LAWYERS VERY SOON
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
THE CAR WILL NOT CRANK OVER AT ALL DUE TO PASS CODE YET ANOTHER IGNITION PROBLEM MY LAST GM PRODUCT IF THIS IS NOT RESOLVED. *TR
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
I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF AND EXIT RAMP AND WAS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN MY CAR GOT UP TO 40 MPH, IT BOGGED DOWN AND DOWN SHIFT. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND LET IT GET DOWN TO 30 MPH, AND APPLIED MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN IT GOT TO 40 MPH, IT BOGGED DOWN THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THE FIRST TI…
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I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF AND EXIT RAMP AND WAS GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN MY CAR GOT UP TO 40 MPH, IT BOGGED DOWN AND DOWN SHIFT. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND LET IT GET DOWN TO 30 MPH, AND APPLIED MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AGAIN. THIS TIME WHEN IT GOT TO 40 MPH, IT BOGGED DOWN THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THE FIRST TIME, IT JERKED. WHEN I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE, I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, I STARTED THE CAR, BUT NOW IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE 1. I HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT, WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE, IT WENT WITH EASY. I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHANGING OUT LIKE NORMAL AND THE RPM GAUGE READ 2500 RPM AT 50 MPH. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPEN BEFORE DECEMBER 15TH. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MY VEHICLE. *TR
THERE ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT SO THERE ARE NO DEFINING MOMENTS THAT LEAD TO THE START OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE AT 2000 TO 3000 RPM WHILE IN PARK AND AT TIME REDLINING ITSELF. IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD BE HARD TO BRAKE. AT STOPS THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. DURI…
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THERE ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT SO THERE ARE NO DEFINING MOMENTS THAT LEAD TO THE START OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WOULD IDLE AT 2000 TO 3000 RPM WHILE IN PARK AND AT TIME REDLINING ITSELF. IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR WOULD BEGIN TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD BE HARD TO BRAKE. AT STOPS THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. DURING THESE EVENTS THE VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT DISPLAY AND NOT CODE WAS RECORDED BY THE COMPUTER. AFTER FOUR TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED. *JB
I HAVE A 2002 GRAND AM MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION GOING INTO REVERSE WAS ON 2000-2001 GRAND AM'S BUT NOT ON THE 2002. THE TRANSMISSION WAS MADE BY POWERTRAIN, MINE WAS ALSO. *NM
AT TIMES, VEHICLE RPM'S WILL JUMP ABOUT 300 HIGHER THAN NORMAL. IT CAN DO IT ON UP HILLS, ON FLAT AND ON DOWN HILLS. IT IS MORE PREVALENT WHEN CRESTING A HILL. THE RPM'S WILL NOT MOVE ALL THE WAY UP THE HILL BUT WHEN THE CAR CRESTS, IT WILL SOMETIMES DO IT. I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO …
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AT TIMES, VEHICLE RPM'S WILL JUMP ABOUT 300 HIGHER THAN NORMAL. IT CAN DO IT ON UP HILLS, ON FLAT AND ON DOWN HILLS. IT IS MORE PREVALENT WHEN CRESTING A HILL. THE RPM'S WILL NOT MOVE ALL THE WAY UP THE HILL BUT WHEN THE CAR CRESTS, IT WILL SOMETIMES DO IT. I'VE HAD IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE IT BUT THEY ALSO ONLY TAKE IT OUT FOR FIVE OR TEN MINUTES FOR A TEST DRIVE. I NOTICE IT MORE WHEN I DO A TRIP OF SOME KIND ON THE HIGHWAY. I DON'T NOTICE IT VERY MUCH IN MY EVERYDAY DRIVING BUT I DON'T USUALLY DRIVE VERY FAR WEEKDAYS. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR OVER SIX MONTHS. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING ANY WORSE BUT IT ALSO ISN'T GETTING ANY BETTER. IT CAN HAPPEN 15 - 20 TIMES ON A TWO HOUR TRIP. *JB
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THEN, FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHI…
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THEN, FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE SHIFTING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR THESE PROBLEMS. *AK
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.