IllustrationTAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION - SHIFTS HARD, WENT OUT WITH OUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO GO, IT WOULDN'T GO PAST 10 MPH AND WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO 4TH RPM. POWER STEERING LEAKS BAD.
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
Steering complaints
22 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. IT TOOK OVER TEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN IGNITION SWITCH RECALL. IT TOOK OVER TEN MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,848. UPDATED 05/17/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS REPLACED. UPDATED 09/20/2017*JS
MY PONTIAC'S IGNITION KEY HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE IGNITION ON AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE I'M DRIVING/TURNING. IN ADDITION TO THE KEY FALLING OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND I HAVE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ONE DAY AFTER MY CAR WAS SERVI…
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MY PONTIAC'S IGNITION KEY HAS FALLEN OUT OF THE IGNITION ON AT LEAST THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE I'M DRIVING/TURNING. IN ADDITION TO THE KEY FALLING OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND I HAVE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT TOOK PLACE ONE DAY AFTER MY CAR WAS SERVICED AT A LOCAL GM DEALER IN RELATION TO THE 14350 UNINTENDED IGNITION KEY ROTATION POST CARD I RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. I DID CALL THE GM DEALER TO REPORT THAT THE CAR WAS PRODUCING THE SAME HIGH RISK ISSUES AND THAT I COULD COME UP THERE AND SHOW THEM THIS SAME PROBLEM WHILE THEIR STAFF IS ALSO IN THE CAR. I WAS TOLD " WE FIXED THE RECALL PROBLEM YOU MUST HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL." I AM WILLING TO RECORD AND UPLOAD VIDEO FOOTAGE TO YOUTUBE OR A GM SITE THAT ACCEPTS VIDEOS SO GM CORPORATION CAN ASSESS MY ISSUES REMOTELY. THANKS IN ADVANCE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH FLIPPED OVER AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH FLIPPED OVER AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE 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
STEERING LOCKED UP WHILE TURNING AND BRAKES FAILED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO LOWER THE TILT OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT SUDDENLY BECAME STUCK IN THE HIGH POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. HE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC OR THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,200.
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET REPLACE FOR LEAKAGE 5/06 WATER PUMP REPLACED FOR LEAKAGE 9/06 POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION REPLACED FOR LEAKING 2/08 MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH STILL MALFUNCTIONING ALL WORK PERFORMED AT DEALERSHIP AND RECORDS HAVE BEEN RETAINED. ALL MAINTENANCE ON CAR IS UP TO DATE WITH RECORDS TO VALIDATE. *TR
2002 GRAND AM GT HAD RACK AND PINION STEERING COLUMN REPLACED MAY 9, 2007. NINE DAYS LATER, PART FAILED. GENERAL MOTORS SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE PARTS. RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AGAIN ON 5-24-07. PROBLEM REMAINS AND HAVE TO TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. OTHER DEALERSHIP PRELIMINARY DI…
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2002 GRAND AM GT HAD RACK AND PINION STEERING COLUMN REPLACED MAY 9, 2007. NINE DAYS LATER, PART FAILED. GENERAL MOTORS SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE PARTS. RACK AND PINION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AGAIN ON 5-24-07. PROBLEM REMAINS AND HAVE TO TAKE TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. OTHER DEALERSHIP PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS IS SAME PROBLEM. SAFETY CONCERN!!!. STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT. I HAVE A 6-YEAR OLD AND DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY OFTEN WITH HER. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FOR SAFETY CONCERNS.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE AT LOW SPEED, THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL STEERING. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. AFTER INITIAL INSPECTION BY THE CONTACT, IT WAS DETERMINED THE STEERING RACK AND PINION FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.
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.