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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

View recall details →

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

What owners actually said

395 reports
99,000 miles · Nov 14, 2006
Electrical System

MY WIFE HAS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. ABOUT A MONTH AGO 10/2006, FOR THE FIRST TIME, HER CAR WOULD NOT START. IT HAD FULL BATTERY, ALL THE ACCESSORIES STARTED UP WITH THE KEY BEING FITTED INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GETTING A SONG AND DANCE ABOUT THE BODY CONTROL …

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MY WIFE HAS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. ABOUT A MONTH AGO 10/2006, FOR THE FIRST TIME, HER CAR WOULD NOT START. IT HAD FULL BATTERY, ALL THE ACCESSORIES STARTED UP WITH THE KEY BEING FITTED INTO THE IGNITION AND TURNED TO THE ON POSITION. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND GETTING A SONG AND DANCE ABOUT THE BODY CONTROL UNIT ""POSSIBLY"" BEING DAMP ""COULD"" OF CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION, THEY REPLACED IT FOR ABOUT 300.00 DOLLARS. THIS MORNING (11/14/2006), MY WIFE WENT OUT TO HER CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WOULD NOT START. I NOW STARTED RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF I COULD FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS MYSELF. I FOUND A PLETHORA OF INDIVIDUALS, ALL WITH 2002 GRAND AMS, ALL HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT IN 2002 GRAND AMS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM PREVENTS YOU FROM STARTING YOUR CAR. THE ONLY WORK AROUND IS TO SIT IN YOUR CAR FOR BETWEEN 10 TO 15 MINUTES WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED ON. AFTER SAID AMOUNT OF TIME THE SECURITY LIGHT SHOULD STOP BLINKING, AND YOU CAN THEN ""POSSIBLY"" START YOUR CAR. I DO UNDERSTAND THAT NHTSA IS ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT VEHICLE DEFECTS THAT POSE A THREAT WHILE OPERATING YOUR VEHICLE. BEING A POLICE OFFICER, I SEE THE POTENTIAL OF A THREAT BY HAVING A VEHICLE NOT START. I DO NOT WANT MY WIFE SITTING IN A DARK PARKING LOT FOR 10-15 MINUTES WHILE THE SECURITY SYSTEM HAS HER VEHICLE DISABLED. WHAT IF SHE SOUGHT REFUGE IN HER CAR TO TRY TO ESCAPE SOMEONE WHO WAS CHASING HER? WHAT ABOUT ALL THESE OTHER GRAND AM OWNERS? YOU CAN DO A GOOGLE OR YAHOO SEARCH FOR "2002 GRAND AM WILL NOT START". YOU WILL THEN SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND MIGHT WANT TO TAKE THESE INCIDENTS INTO CONSIDERATION FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10173486

51,218 miles · Nov 8, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

GM 3.4 LITER ENGINE INTAKE GASKET FAILURE. THIS IS MY SECOND VEHICLE WITH THIS MOTOR THAT HAS HAD THE INTAKE GASKET FAIL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172933

48,500 miles · Nov 6, 2006
Electrical System

CONTINUES BLINKER SOUND EVEN WHEN THE BLINKER IS NOT IN USE VERY ANNOYING AND VERY EXPENSIVE FROM WHAT I HEAR, HOPE IT DOESN'T SHORT OUT AND TAKE ITS COMPONENTS WITH IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172687

75,000 miles · Oct 24, 2006
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. REPLACE FUSE, BUT IT BLEW IT SEVERAL TIMES. THEY JUST STOP WORKING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171690

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2006
Electrical System

PONTIAC PASSLOCK SYSTEM FAILED AND CAR WILL NO LONGER START. PASSLOCK IS NOT COVERED BY ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND COSTS ~$400 TO REPLACE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171240

66,842 miles · Oct 16, 2006
Electrical System

CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH PONTIAC 2002 GRAND AM PASSLOCK SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED 2 IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE CAR IS STILL DOING THE SAME THING. SOMETIMES IT WILL START, SOMETIMES IT WON'T. I AM VERY FED UP WITH THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170915

58,000 miles · Oct 10, 2006
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT AND THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WORK AT RANDOM, THEY WORK FOR AWHILE AND THEN JUST STOP WORKING FOR AWHILE. NO TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS OUTSIDE THE CAR AND NO INDICATOR ARROWS INSIDE THE CAR. THEN, THEY BEGIN TO WORK AGAIN BUT ONLY FOR A AWHILE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10170443

66,700 miles · Sep 15, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAS AN OIL LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FRONT CRANK SEAL. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS WITH 66000 MILES. I HAVE HAD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR 3.4 ENGINE. WHY ISN'T ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAD A 1997 GRAN AM AND PU…

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MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM HAS AN OIL LEAK IN INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FRONT CRANK SEAL. THE CAR IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS WITH 66000 MILES. I HAVE HAD ALOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR 3.4 ENGINE. WHY ISN'T ANYTHING BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? I HAD A 1997 GRAN AM AND PUT 140000 MILES ON IT WITH NO PROBLEM. THE TECH'S SAY THEY USED CHEAP GASKETS ON THIS CAR. I DON'T THINK THJIS CAR WILL MAKE 140000 MILES WITHOUT A MAJOR FAILURE.AND GM WONDERS WHY THEY ARE LOSING SALES TO JAPANESE CAR MAKERS. MY NEXT CAR WILL NOT BE GM AND THIS IS AFTER OWNING NOTHING BUT GM CARS FOR 40 YEARS!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #10168403

31,505 miles · Sep 11, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL MADE A RUBBING NOISE. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - THE DEALER HAS ROTATED, BALANCED AND MOUNTED NEW TIRES ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE CALIPERS HAD TO BE RESURFACED AND LUBED. GOODYEAR EAGLE R4A. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167839

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE BLINKER SWITCH KEEPS CLICKING AFTER I TURN. IT IS AGGRAVATING TO ME AND I HAVE READ OF A LOT OF 2002 GRAND AM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP TO SEE ABOUT GETTING FIXED BUT IT WILL COST ME OVER $400. THIS IS RIDICUL…

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I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. THE BLINKER SWITCH KEEPS CLICKING AFTER I TURN. IT IS AGGRAVATING TO ME AND I HAVE READ OF A LOT OF 2002 GRAND AM OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP TO SEE ABOUT GETTING FIXED BUT IT WILL COST ME OVER $400. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS. ALSO, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED. I WISH I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10167319

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.