IllustrationTHE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT I HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS AND NOTHING THE HEADLIGHTS AUTO DOSENT WORK MOST OF THE TIME THE TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING THRDAY AFTERBI BOUGHT THE CAR.
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
Service Brakes complaints
9 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. UPDATED 1/7/15*CN UPDATED 10/5/2015*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED BUT RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED BUT RETURNED TO NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WORE PREMATURELY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WATER PENETRATED THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WORE PREMATURELY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WATER PENETRATED THROUGH THE SUNROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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…
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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
I WAS PARKED AT A SHOPPING CENTER. I STARTED THE CAR, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND IT APPEARED TO HAVE LEAKED BRAKE FLUID FROM THE BRAKE LINE. SINCE I STILL HAD THE PARKING BRAKE AND A LITTLE OF THE REAR BRAKES, I LIMPED THE CAR TO A GARA…
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I WAS PARKED AT A SHOPPING CENTER. I STARTED THE CAR, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR AND IT APPEARED TO HAVE LEAKED BRAKE FLUID FROM THE BRAKE LINE. SINCE I STILL HAD THE PARKING BRAKE AND A LITTLE OF THE REAR BRAKES, I LIMPED THE CAR TO A GARAGE. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE PEDAL TO STOP, I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. UPON CHECKING, THE OTHER BRAKE LINE HAD BURST ALSO. I HAD IT CHECKED AND CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT BOTH BRAKE LINES HAD BURST. I CALLED THE GM DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALLS AND THAT ANY REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY EXPENSE. I CALLED GM, EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS WRONG AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THEY WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. I EXPLAINED THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE CAR SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES HAD BURST. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT AND INJURY OR DEATH IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP. I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR NEW, HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED AND THERE WAS NEVER ANY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT OR HAD ANY OTHER PRIOR DAMAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO BRAKING ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO BRAKING ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,890. UPDATED 01/23/14*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO CANCEL THE COMPLAINT, BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO EDIT IT. HE STATED HE WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT ONLINE. UPDATED 01/23/14.. UPDATED 01-29-14 *BF
STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE TURNING AND BRAKES FAILED. *TR
A SURPRISE STORM HIT ON I-4 WESTBOUND IN ORLANDO, FL. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE ROADS GOT WET VERY QUICKLY AND TRAFFIC BACKED UP FAST. AS I HIT THE BRAKES WITH FORCE TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS DID THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT, THE CAR…
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A SURPRISE STORM HIT ON I-4 WESTBOUND IN ORLANDO, FL. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. THE ROADS GOT WET VERY QUICKLY AND TRAFFIC BACKED UP FAST. AS I HIT THE BRAKES WITH FORCE TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS DID THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON LIGHT, THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A POWER DRAINAGE/LOSS FOR A SPLIT SECOND. AT THIS MOMENT, WITH HOW HARD I HIT THE BRAKES, THE CAR SLID, THE ABS SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE AND I HAD TO RELEASE THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO GET SOME TRACTION AND WITHOUT WARNING SWERVE INTO THE DRIVING LANE TO THE IMMEDIATE RIGHT OF THE LANE I WAS IN SO NOT TO HIT THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT BUT THAT STILL DOES NOT FIX NOR DOES IS CHANGE THE FACT THAT SOMETHING WENT WRONG AND A VITAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT SEIZED TO FUNCTION. I HAVE SEARCHED ONLINE FOR AN ANSWER FOR THIS AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE DEALING WITH THIS. THIS IS UNSAFE AND THE EXPERIENCE WAS VERY SCARY. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT KIND OF ISSUE NOR SHOULD FEEL THAT SCARED IN THEIR LIVES. *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.