Illustration2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD
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
What owners actually said
395 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO GET OFF THE RAMP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO GET OFF THE RAMP WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 03/18/16*…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMPS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 03/18/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIGNAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/16.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR BEING PERFORMED SHE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JUNE 3, 3014, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER VISIT THE DEALER, BECAUSE A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFOR…
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2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JUNE 3, 3014, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP RECOMMENDED THE CONSUMER VISIT THE DEALER, BECAUSE A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE HE HAD THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE IGNITION RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER 2014. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTAC STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT EXPERIENCED BEFORE THE RECALL WAS SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTAC STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT EXPERIENCED BEFORE THE RECALL WAS SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND, UPON RECHARGING THE BATTERY, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
WHEN TRYING TO TURN ON MY CAR IT WONT START AND A SECURITY MESSAGE TURNS ON ON DASHBOARD.I ALWAYS HAVE TO WAIT ATLEAST 10 MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY MESSAGE TO DISAPPEAR,BUT LATELY IT DOES IT TWICE IN A ROW CAUSING ME TO WAIT 20-25 MINITES FOR THE ENGINE TO TURN ON. ALSO THE CAR TURNS OFF WHILE ON PARKED POSITION.
WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON KEEPING THE CAR FROM STARTING SO I HAVE TO TURN THE SWITCH TO THE ON POSTION AND WAIT 10-15 MINUTES TO GET IT TO START AND IT'S AN ON GOING THING .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT A PERMANENT REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
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.