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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.

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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

Suspension complaints

10 reports
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87,202 miles · Aug 20, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSuspension

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS: BUT RIGHT NOW I CAN TURN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL GIVE THE SOUND OF STARTING UP BUT WILL NOT. I HAD THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CHECKED: FUEL PUMP OPERATION: PRESSURES ARE GOOD INJECTOR PULSE - ENGINE HAS SPARK BODY CONTROL MODULE: B2965 - KEY IGNITION FAULT RECOMMENDED TO SEE DEALER FOR POSS…

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THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS: BUT RIGHT NOW I CAN TURN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL GIVE THE SOUND OF STARTING UP BUT WILL NOT. I HAD THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CHECKED: FUEL PUMP OPERATION: PRESSURES ARE GOOD INJECTOR PULSE - ENGINE HAS SPARK BODY CONTROL MODULE: B2965 - KEY IGNITION FAULT RECOMMENDED TO SEE DEALER FOR POSSIBLE RECALL AND OR IGNITION DIAGNOSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626567

48,742 miles · Nov 26, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

WE PURCHASE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE IN JULY OF 2005 FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN BRIGHTON MICHIGAN, WE HAD IT IN TO DEALER WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING IT, WHICH THEY DIDN'T REPAIR THAT DAY BECAUSE WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE WOULD TAKE TO LONG SO IT WAS TAKEN IN THE FOLLOWING SAT. HAD THE ABS,TRAC CONTROL AND THE SERVICE EN…

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WE PURCHASE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE IN JULY OF 2005 FROM CHAMPION CHEVROLET IN BRIGHTON MICHIGAN, WE HAD IT IN TO DEALER WITHIN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF OWNING IT, WHICH THEY DIDN'T REPAIR THAT DAY BECAUSE WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE WOULD TAKE TO LONG SO IT WAS TAKEN IN THE FOLLOWING SAT. HAD THE ABS,TRAC CONTROL AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THERE WAS A NOISE UNDER THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHICH WAS FIXED BUT CAME BACK A WEEK LATER THEY TOLD US THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS AS NONE OF OUR OTHER CARS MAKE THIS NOISE NOT EVEN OUR CHEVY PICKUP TRUCK. WE ALSO HAD IT BACK IN AGAIN FOR THE SENSORS FOR THE ABS, TRAC CONTROL AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT THAT KEEPS COMING ON. WE CONT'D TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND STILL DON'T HAVE IT FIXED. WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON I DON'T HAVE MY ABS BRAKES ANYMORE AND NO TRAC CONTROL. MY BLINKERS ALSO HAVE BEEN GIVING ME A PROBLEM AS SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND OTHER TIMES THEY DON'T. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN GET THEM TO WORK IF I PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON FOR A FEW MINS. BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO. I HAVE BEEN A GM PERSON ALL MY LIFE AS MY DAD HAS WORKED FOR GM FOR 35 SOMETHING YRS. BUT THEY NEED TO FIXS THESE PROBLEMS AS IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME, MY CHILDREN, MY HUSBAND OR WHOEVER ELSE MAYBE IN THE CAR AND THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD ESPECIALLY HERE IN MICHIGAN WITH SNOWY AND ICY ROADS. I ALSO HAVE READ SOME OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE AND IT SEEMS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WAS ALSO TOLD TODAY WHILE GETTING MY OIL CHANGE DONE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DEXCOOL IN THIS CAR TOO. I DID LOOK AROUND ON THE NET AND NOTICE THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM YET AS I ONLY HAVE 50,000 MILES ON MY CAR BUT SOME OF THE SIGNS THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT I HAVE NOTICE SO IT WILL GO INTO A DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND I WILL BE KEEPING MY INVOICES AS I HOPE GM DOES THE RIGHT THING AND TAKES CARE OF THIS PROBLEM TO. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10143682

6,000 miles · May 14, 2004
Suspension

VEHICLE SHAKES SEVERELY WHILE DRIVING.THE SHAKE IS WORSE WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE 6 TIMES, IN WHICH THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS, REPLACED THE BRAKE PAD ROTOR TWICE, ALIGNED THE FRONT END, AND ROTATED AND BALANCED THE TIRES. THE SHAKING THIS EXIST.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10073627

40,000 miles · May 12, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

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)....

NHTSA ODI #10072464

5,000 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringSuspension

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.

NHTSA ODI #10071256

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
SteeringSuspension

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

NHTSA ODI #10044517

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2002
SuspensionCrashInjury

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #765850

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 · May 30, 2002
Fuel System, GasolineSuspension

HAD FRONT & REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE 3 TIMES IN THE MAY 2002 WITH NO CORRECTION DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF THE PULLING BACK & FORTH FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND KEEPING THE CAR TO STAY ON THE ROAD.THIS HAS STARTED TO WEARING DOWN MY TIRES AT A ACCELRATED RATE, WHICH MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED.FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS MAKING THE CAR I…

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HAD FRONT & REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE 3 TIMES IN THE MAY 2002 WITH NO CORRECTION DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OF THE PULLING BACK & FORTH FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND KEEPING THE CAR TO STAY ON THE ROAD.THIS HAS STARTED TO WEARING DOWN MY TIRES AT A ACCELRATED RATE, WHICH MAY HAVE TO BE REPLACED.FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM IS MAKING THE CAR IDLE VERY ROUGH WHILE SITTING/PARKED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #762464

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
SteeringSuspensionInjury

STEERING FELT LOOSE, ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE, BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES, COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. *AK. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*YD

NHTSA ODI #8009218

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.