IllustrationWHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY SNAPPED UPWARD, AS IF HITTING THE TILT LEVER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. NOW THE TILT LEVER IS NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL AND WHEEL IS LOCKED IN THE UPWARD POSITION.
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 reportsAROUND 37,000 MILES I NOTICED A LITTLE MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT 40,000 MILES THE STEERING RACK WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE WHEN MOVED. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT IN THAT WEEK. WHEN I DID BRING IT IN THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS GONE. THIS IS A 2002 CAR THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I ALSO OWNED A PONT…
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AROUND 37,000 MILES I NOTICED A LITTLE MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AT 40,000 MILES THE STEERING RACK WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE WHEN MOVED. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT IN THAT WEEK. WHEN I DID BRING IT IN THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS GONE. THIS IS A 2002 CAR THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. I ALSO OWNED A PONTIAC GRAND AM 1999 AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THIS CAR AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM!!!
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER LOST POWER STEERING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK IT WAS STATED THAT POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED. POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED. *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.
PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION AND POWER STEERING.*MR IN ADDITION, FAILED SUSPENSION. INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR POPPING TYPE OF NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS PARKING LOT TURNS. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP ONCE FOR POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND FOUR TIMES FOR SUSPENSION. CONSUMER FEELS SHE'S ENTITLED TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR …
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PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION AND POWER STEERING.*MR IN ADDITION, FAILED SUSPENSION. INSPECTED VEHICLE FOR POPPING TYPE OF NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS PARKING LOT TURNS. VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP ONCE FOR POWER STEERING SYSTEM AND FOUR TIMES FOR SUSPENSION. CONSUMER FEELS SHE'S ENTITLED TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR COMPENSATION FOR A "LEMON" CALCULATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LEMON LAW. *PH
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.
I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO TRY TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED WITH THE POWER STEERING AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. YET THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT 7 TIMES 2 OF THOSE TIMES CAUSING AN ACC…
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I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND MY POWER STEERING WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST 4 TIMES TO TRY TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED WITH THE POWER STEERING AND THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM. YET THE POWER STEERING HAS GONE OUT 7 TIMES 2 OF THOSE TIMES CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST ACCIDENT WAS AROUND 7,000$ THE 2ND ONE WAS MINOR AND ESTIMATES ARE BEING DONE NOW. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RIGHT KNUCKLE SEPARATED CAUSING THE RIGHT WHEEL TO BREAK AND TURN ONTO ITS SIDE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAPABILITY OF STEERING WAS GONE AND THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CAR TURNED OVER ONTO ITS TOP IN A DITCH. THIS ACCIDENT TOTALED THE VEHICLE.
THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE1 SEDAN WITH THE ECOTEC 2.2L ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS SOME SNOW AND MAYBE A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE IN AREAS. AND THE CAR INFRONT OF ME LOST CONTROL. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING IT I HAD TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN. WHILE MAKING THIS LEFT HAND TURN I HAD MY POWER STEER…
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THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE1 SEDAN WITH THE ECOTEC 2.2L ENGINE. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE WAS SOME SNOW AND MAYBE A SLIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE IN AREAS. AND THE CAR INFRONT OF ME LOST CONTROL. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING IT I HAD TO MAKE A SHARP LEFT HAND TURN. WHILE MAKING THIS LEFT HAND TURN I HAD MY POWER STEERING DISSENGAGE. MY DASHBOARD LIGHTS ALL THEN LIT UP AND THE ENGINE AND ALL THE VEHICLES POWER WENT DEAD. I ENDED UP GOING OFF THE ROAD AND WAS AIRBORNE AND CAME FLYING DOWN INTO THE METAL HIGHWAY DIVIDER. CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR AND MINOR DAMAGEIN THE REAR. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. THIS HOWEVER HAS OCCURED NOW 4 TIMES IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. THE DEALERSHIP STATED TWICE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT "CAN NOT DUPLICATE OWNERS CONCERN" AND SENT ME AWAY WITH NO WORK PERFORMED. I THEN CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER BEFORE THE ACCIDENT AND THEY DIDNT OFFER ANY HELP EITHER.
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THERE IS A WINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *MR
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.