IllustrationHAD NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS PUT ON CAR WITH UNDER 16,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETIMES BRAKES VIBRATE AND MAKE NOISE. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNLESS THERE WAS A MECHANICAL 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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
29 reportsI BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER 2003, IN APRIL OF 2004 I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE MAKING NOISES. THE CAR WENT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE CALIPER AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. IN JUNE OF 2004 THE CAR WENT BACK IN FOR THE SAME BRAKE NOISE THE SHOP RESURFACED MY ROTORS AND REPLACED A MISSING BRAK…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER 2003, IN APRIL OF 2004 I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE MAKING NOISES. THE CAR WENT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE CALIPER AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. IN JUNE OF 2004 THE CAR WENT BACK IN FOR THE SAME BRAKE NOISE THE SHOP RESURFACED MY ROTORS AND REPLACED A MISSING BRAKE CLIP. IN JULY THE CAR WENT BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR THE SAME BRAKE NOISE AGAIN, THE SHOP REPLACES THE BRAKE PADS AGAIN AND RESURFACED THE ROTORS AGAIN. IT IS NOW OCTOBER AND THE NOISE IS STILL THERE! IN JULY 2004 THE CAR WENT BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. AGAIN IN JULY THE CAR WENT BACK IN FOR THE SAME FRONT END NOISE. THE SHOP REPLACED THE STEERING RACK WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SO THEY PUT THE OLD ONE BACK IN. THEY THEN REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE NOISE WAS NOT FIXED. IN OCTOBER THEY REPLACED THE STABILIZER SHAFT ISOLATORS AND ALSO REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES DUE TO A BULLETIN. ALSO IN OCTOBER THEY LUBED ALL FRONT END PARTS. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I DECIDED TO CALL TO CALL GM THEMSELVES, SADLY NOT MUCH HAS BEEN DONE THOUGH! *NM
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON MY CAR. I HAVE HAD ALMOST EVERYTHING FROM PUMPING, NOISE, GRINDING, FADING, AND ONE TIME THEY DIDN'T CATCH FOR A LONG TIME AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE. *AK
I HAVE A 2002 GRAND AM GT, AND THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, TOOK TO TWO DIFF REPAIR SHOPS (ONE WAS A MIDAS) AND BOTH TOLD ME THE RIGHT FRONT BEARINGS AND ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND PROB THE LEFT ON IN NEXT CPL MONTHS. ALSO TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER, ESTIMATE OF $475 FOR RIGHT BEARING AND SENSOR, AND PROB THE LEFT …
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I HAVE A 2002 GRAND AM GT, AND THE ABS LIGHT STARTED COMING ON, TOOK TO TWO DIFF REPAIR SHOPS (ONE WAS A MIDAS) AND BOTH TOLD ME THE RIGHT FRONT BEARINGS AND ABS SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND PROB THE LEFT ON IN NEXT CPL MONTHS. ALSO TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER, ESTIMATE OF $475 FOR RIGHT BEARING AND SENSOR, AND PROB THE LEFT ONE IN NEXT FEW MONTHS. ALL 3 PLACES TOLD ME THAT ITS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE GRAND AM, ALEROS AND SOME BUICKS (SAME FRONT END I GUESS)....
WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE PULSATED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED ALL FOUR OF THE BRAKE ROTORS/BRAKE LINES/CALIPERS. HOWEVER, CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK
ON A RAINY DAY, LIGHT PULSATING WAS FELT WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. *LA THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE. THE BRAKES ONLY PERFORMED THAT WAY IN THE WINTER AND ON RAINY DAYS. THERE WAS A SQUEAKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ABS MOTOR AND PUMP. *JB
BRAKE PULSATION WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. HAD VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP SIX TIMES. ROTORS REPLACED. PROBLEM BLAMED ON OVER-TORQUING OF LUG NUTS EVEN THOUGH CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT PONTIAC DEALERSHIPS. ALSO, CAR CONSTANTLY "FLOATS" FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND INTERMITTENT FRONT END "CLANGING". SIX REPAIR ATTEMPTS AS WELL. *LA
MY WHEEL BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, HAD NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES, NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT LET GO, WAS TOLD COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN AFTER THE CAR WAS FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP THE DEALERSHIP SAID I HAD TO PAY, AS THIS COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. COMPANY SIDED WITH DEALERSHIP AND SAID WOULD HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE COMPANY MEET WITH …
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MY WHEEL BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING, HAD NO STEERING AND NO BRAKES, NOT EXACTLY SURE WHAT LET GO, WAS TOLD COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND THEN AFTER THE CAR WAS FIXED BY THE DEALERSHIP THE DEALERSHIP SAID I HAD TO PAY, AS THIS COULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. COMPANY SIDED WITH DEALERSHIP AND SAID WOULD HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE COMPANY MEET WITH ME AND LOOK INTO THE MATTER BUT HAS NOT. I'VE BEEN WAITING SINCE NOV02.
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. 62.000 MILES, REPAIRS SO FAR AS FOLLOWS. 1. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED,ROTORS,PADS,CALIPER INSP,28,000 MILES. 2. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AGAIN, ROTORS TURNED FEW MONTHS LATER. 3. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACED.*AK 4.TIRES REPLACED DUE TO SLIPPING ON THE WHEEL , DEALER STATED THIS IS COMMON AND NOT UNSAFE! …
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2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. 62.000 MILES, REPAIRS SO FAR AS FOLLOWS. 1. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED,ROTORS,PADS,CALIPER INSP,28,000 MILES. 2. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED AGAIN, ROTORS TURNED FEW MONTHS LATER. 3. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACED.*AK 4.TIRES REPLACED DUE TO SLIPPING ON THE WHEEL , DEALER STATED THIS IS COMMON AND NOT UNSAFE! 5. STERRING RACK AND PINION REPLACED. 6. FUEL PUMP REPLACED. 7. STERRING ALIGNMENT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE AND CAR STILL PULLS RIGHT. I WILL GIVE THE GM ZONE MANAGER A OPPRITUNITY TO BUY BACK THE CAR 23 JAN 04. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND A PAIN TO OWN. THERE ARE SEVERAL KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE GRAND AM 107 TSB'S ALONE AND AT LEAST THAT MANY COMPLAINTS, GM HAS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION ASAP.
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…
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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
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.