IllustrationHAD NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS PUT ON CAR WITH UNDER 16,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETIMES BRAKES VIBRATE AND MAKE NOISE. CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD BRAKES WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR UNLESS THERE WAS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. *AK
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 reportsI BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER 2003, IN APRIL OF 2004 I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE MAKING NOISES. THE CAR WENT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE CALIPER AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. IN JUNE OF 2004 THE CAR WENT BACK IN FOR THE SAME BRAKE NOISE THE SHOP RESURFACED MY ROTORS AND REPLACED A MISSING BRAK…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER 2003, IN APRIL OF 2004 I STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE MAKING NOISES. THE CAR WENT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE CALIPER AND REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS. IN JUNE OF 2004 THE CAR WENT BACK IN FOR THE SAME BRAKE NOISE THE SHOP RESURFACED MY ROTORS AND REPLACED A MISSING BRAKE CLIP. IN JULY THE CAR WENT BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR THE SAME BRAKE NOISE AGAIN, THE SHOP REPLACES THE BRAKE PADS AGAIN AND RESURFACED THE ROTORS AGAIN. IT IS NOW OCTOBER AND THE NOISE IS STILL THERE! IN JULY 2004 THE CAR WENT BACK INTO THE SHOP FOR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END. THE STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. AGAIN IN JULY THE CAR WENT BACK IN FOR THE SAME FRONT END NOISE. THE SHOP REPLACED THE STEERING RACK WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM SO THEY PUT THE OLD ONE BACK IN. THEY THEN REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT STRUT AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE NOISE WAS NOT FIXED. IN OCTOBER THEY REPLACED THE STABILIZER SHAFT ISOLATORS AND ALSO REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES DUE TO A BULLETIN. ALSO IN OCTOBER THEY LUBED ALL FRONT END PARTS. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS I DECIDED TO CALL TO CALL GM THEMSELVES, SADLY NOT MUCH HAS BEEN DONE THOUGH! *NM
THE JACK COLLAPSED WHILE CHANGING THE FRONT TIRE. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE JACKWASS AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS, AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK
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 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 55 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO OPERATE THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION ON THE DRIVER SIDE, IT STOPPED OPERATING. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONSUMER OBTAINED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THE DEALER AND HAD HER SON MAKE THE REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATI…
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WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND PROCEEDING TO OPERATE THE AUTOMATIC WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION ON THE DRIVER SIDE, IT STOPPED OPERATING. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE CONSUMER OBTAINED THE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM THE DEALER AND HAD HER SON MAKE THE REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
CAR HAS FAILED TO START ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FIRST THREE TIMES QUICKLY FIX WORKED, TURNING KEY TO ON POSITION FOR 15 MINUTES THEN RESTARTING VEHICLE. CALLED DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. 4TH TIME CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER 2 TRIES WITH THE "QUICK FIX". NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY DEALER OR GM TO RESOLVE…
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CAR HAS FAILED TO START ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FIRST THREE TIMES QUICKLY FIX WORKED, TURNING KEY TO ON POSITION FOR 15 MINUTES THEN RESTARTING VEHICLE. CALLED DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. 4TH TIME CAR WOULDN'T START AFTER 2 TRIES WITH THE "QUICK FIX". NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY DEALER OR GM TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. FAITH IN PONTIAC PRODUCTS IS RAPIDLY DECLINING. *AK
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THEN, FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHI…
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CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THEN, FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRICAL WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN ON THEIR OWN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE SHIFTING. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR THESE PROBLEMS. *AK
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 81 AT 70 MPH WHEN THE MOTOR SHUT OFF. SHE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY TRACTOR TRAILER WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. SHE HAD NO ENGINE OR POWER STEERING TO ASSIST HER IN GETTING OFF ROAD. MY DAUGHTER VERY DISTRAUGHT OVER THE INCIDENT AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WRECKER TOOK CAR TO PONTIAC…
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MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 81 AT 70 MPH WHEN THE MOTOR SHUT OFF. SHE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY TRACTOR TRAILER WHILE TRYING TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. SHE HAD NO ENGINE OR POWER STEERING TO ASSIST HER IN GETTING OFF ROAD. MY DAUGHTER VERY DISTRAUGHT OVER THE INCIDENT AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WRECKER TOOK CAR TO PONTIAC DEALER WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DRY WHILE THE GAUGE ON THE CONSOLE SHOWED OVER A QUARTER OF TANK. AT TIME OF ARRIVAL TO THE REPAIR SHOP THE DEALER TOLD ME ABOUT THAT IT POSSIBLY WAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. PONTIAC SERVICE BULLETIN # 01-06-04-008D NOTES PROBLEM WITH FUEL SENSOR. FUEL PUMP ALSO BURNED UP ON CAR AT TIME OF THE BAD READING ON THE GAUGE. FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY PONTIAC BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE FUEL PUMP AT COST OF $518.34. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FUEL PUMP AS THEIR KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSOR CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. MORE IMPORTANTLY IN MY OPINION THIS BULLETIN ON THE FUEL SENSOR SHOULD BE A RECALL SINCE THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENSOR PUT MY DAUGHTERS LIFE IN JEOPARDY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT PONTIAC IS TAKING LIGHTLY. I CALLED THEM TO COMPLAIN AND THEY OFFERED ME A " COMPLEMENTARY OIL CHANGE" ???. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT ANSWER AND THEY CAME BACK TO ME THE 2ND TIME AND SAID TO HOLD MY RECEIPTS IN CASE OF FUTURE RECALL AND THEN I COULD GET REIMBURSED. MY QUESTION TO THEM IS HOW THEY CAN RECALL OR REIMBURSE ME IF MY DAUGHTER HAD DIED IN THIS INCIDENT. THEY CAME BACK TO ME A THIRD TIME AND OFFERED ME A $1500.00 LOYAL BUYER COUPON TO BE USED ON MY NEXT GENERAL MOTORS PURCHASE. I TOLD THEM TO KEEP IT AS THERE WOULD NOT BE ANY MORE GM PURCHASES BY MY FAMILY. I WILL NOT SUPPORT A COMPANY THAT KNOWINGLY PUTS MY FAMILY IN DANGER IN ORDER TO SAVE A DOLLAR. THIS BULLETIN # 01-06-04-008D SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT HAS POTENTIAL TO CREATE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE PASSENGERS IN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE--- 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM.*AK
POWER WINDOWS KEEP BRAKING. 8 TIMES FOR DRIVERS SIDE, 1 TIME ON PASSENGER SIDE. SASH ASM. THAT FASTENS TO THE WINDOW FOR MOTION KEEPS BRAKING. A TOTAL OF 9 REPAIRS IN 18 MONTHS. *LA
DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS RUBBING? (SCRATCHED) WINDOWS REALLY SCRATCHED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND NOTICED ALOT OF OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVE THE SAME SCRATCHES FROM OPENING AND CLOSING THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS I SPOKE TO A DEALER REP BEFORE AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TINTING THEY USED THAT WAS TOO TIGHT? BUT WHEN MY CAR WAS BRAND…
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DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS RUBBING? (SCRATCHED) WINDOWS REALLY SCRATCHED EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND NOTICED ALOT OF OTHER CARS LIKE MINE HAVE THE SAME SCRATCHES FROM OPENING AND CLOSING THE AUTOMATIC WINDOWS I SPOKE TO A DEALER REP BEFORE AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE TINTING THEY USED THAT WAS TOO TIGHT? BUT WHEN MY CAR WAS BRAND NEW AND I STARTED TO ROLL UP/DOWN MY WINDOWS IT MADE THE SCRATCHES, SO I DECIDED TO HIDE THE SCRATCHES BY TINTING MY WINDOWS SO YOU COULDNT SEE IT AS MUCH, BUT IT REALLY IS VISIBLE. FROM ME SPEAKING WITH OTHER GRAND AM OWNERS THAT I SEE THAT THEIR WINDOWS LOOK EXACTLY LIKE MINE MOST OF THEM DON;T HAVE TINTING. AND THEY LOOK AS BAD AS MINE. *JB
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.