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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 →
395Owner complaints

Model-year median: 82

1Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
849
1999675
2000538
2001395
2002325
2003293
2004102
2005
Compare all Grand Am years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
148Exterior Lighting
97Engine And Engine Cooling
54Service Brakes, Hydraulic
29Visibility
23
All reported categories
Steering
22Air Bags
19Power Train
13Tires
12Engine
11Equipment
11Suspension
10Service Brakes
9Unknown Or Other
9Structure
8Wheels
8Fuel System, Gasoline
7Fuel/propulsion System
6Seats
5Vehicle Speed Control
5Latches/locks/linkages
4Seat Belts
4Electronic Stability Control (esc)
3Parking Brake
3Fuel System, Other
2Interior Lighting
2Service Brakes, Air
2

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
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30,000 miles · Dec 12, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS ON MY CAR 2 TIMES AND DON'T EVEN HAVE 30000 MILES ON IT. YET, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW WITH BAD ROTORS, AND NOW IT DID IT AGAIN, AND MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME HE HAS HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. VERY NOSEY BRAKES, AND WHEN S…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS ON MY CAR 2 TIMES AND DON'T EVEN HAVE 30000 MILES ON IT. YET, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW WITH BAD ROTORS, AND NOW IT DID IT AGAIN, AND MY MECHANIC HAS TOLD ME HE HAS HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS. VERY NOSEY BRAKES, AND WHEN SITTING STILL IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A LIGHT VIBRATING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049647

20,000 miles · Sep 24, 2003
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

2002 PONTIAC GRANDAM GT-1 HAS CONTINUOUS GRINDING, RUBBING, AND POPPING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT STEERING. ALSO HAS UNCONTROLED POWER STEERING WHERE THE CAR COULD GO OFF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIPS CAN OR WILL NOT TRY TO FIND THESE SERIOUS DEFECTS, THEY SAY THAT IT IS THE TIRES THAT IS CAUSING THESE DEFECTS.THIS IS THE SECOND NEW GT-1…

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2002 PONTIAC GRANDAM GT-1 HAS CONTINUOUS GRINDING, RUBBING, AND POPPING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT STEERING. ALSO HAS UNCONTROLED POWER STEERING WHERE THE CAR COULD GO OFF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIPS CAN OR WILL NOT TRY TO FIND THESE SERIOUS DEFECTS, THEY SAY THAT IT IS THE TIRES THAT IS CAUSING THESE DEFECTS.THIS IS THE SECOND NEW GT-1 WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS WITH THE SAME DEFECTS THAT I HAVE OWNED.

NHTSA ODI #10039429

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER STATED THEY WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE DRUMS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10030063

13,000 miles · Jul 10, 2003
SeatsService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE TIRES LOCKED UP, AND THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED LIKE IT WAS ON A WET SURFACE.*AK THE SEAT BACK FALLS DOWN UPON ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING. *TS. THE CONSUMER FELT THE ABS WAS NOT PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE SEAT COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING, AND THE FRONT ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10024340

25,000 miles · Mar 14, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FRONT BRAKES DID NOT HOLD, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011821

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES. ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGE BETWEEN SEVEN TO EIGHT ON A PERIOD OF EIGHT MONTHS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES BUT THE MASTER CYLINDER THE CALIPERS THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. TS

NHTSA ODI #8023869

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK ALSO THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS INOPERABLE AT TIMES, IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE, AND AT TIMES WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL, THERE WAS A PULSATION WHEN BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED, BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED, S…

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VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK ALSO THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS INOPERABLE AT TIMES, IT MAKES A GRINDING NOISE, AND AT TIMES WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL, THERE WAS A PULSATION WHEN BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED, BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS WERE RESURFACED, STARTER WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOSIE WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT OR MAKING TURNS, THE DOME LIGHT FELL OFF, TRUNK IS HARD TO CLOSE, CONSUMER HAS TO SLAM TRUNK TO GET IT TO CLOSE, THE DEALER FOUND THE LATCH OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, WHEN STARTING VEHICLE THERE IS A NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA, THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEEL AREA, DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONSERN, ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED, VEHICLE STALLED, DELAER REPLACED FUEL SENDING UNIT, THE CLOCK RADIO WAS LOOSING TIME, THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY WILL ONLY WORK WHEN CONSUMER IS CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE, THE WINDOWS WERE MAKING A SCRATCHING NOISE WHEN BEING ROLLED UP, THE AIR CONDITON HAS AN ODOR, STEERING WHEEL HAS A MILD VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8013819

Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2002
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

CAR PURCHASED NEW. PARKING BRAKE FAILED AT 362 MILES AND 4670 MILES. BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE AND RELEASE BUTTON IS LOOSE. BRAKE FAILED SUDDENLY BOTH TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762721

Mileage unknown · May 29, 2002
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING, APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THIS VEHICLE WAS A RENTED VEHICLE IN WHICH 2 ACCIDENTS OCCURRED WITHIN A 16 HOUR PERIOD, BOTH ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY THE FAULTY ABS, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #8010675

Official recalls

1

14V400000 · 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

1

PE05055 · 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.