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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
1,100 miles · Apr 17, 2003
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructure

I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT IS NOT SO GRAND. AT 1100 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AFTER FIGHTING WITH PONTIAC. THEY FINALLY AUTHORIZED THE DEALERSHIP TO DROP THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND THEY FOUND METAL SHARDS IN IT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE MOLDING AROUND THE REAR WINDOW REPLACE, BOTH ELECTRIC MIRRORS FIX…

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I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT IS NOT SO GRAND. AT 1100 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AFTER FIGHTING WITH PONTIAC. THEY FINALLY AUTHORIZED THE DEALERSHIP TO DROP THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND THEY FOUND METAL SHARDS IN IT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE MOLDING AROUND THE REAR WINDOW REPLACE, BOTH ELECTRIC MIRRORS FIXED BECAUSE THEY GET "STUCK." THE IGNITION HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE I GOT THE CAR, TWICE IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS. THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT LOCKED. THIS REALLY AFFECTS THE USAGE OF THE CAR. I AM WAITING TO GET STRANDED SOMEWHERE BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T START. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A PONTIAC REP SEVERAL TIMES, BEEN LIED TO AND BRUSHED ASIDE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10014529

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER LEASED VEHICLE NEW IN 06/02. AFTER 1 MONTH THE HEAD GASKET BLEW WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPAIRED, BUT INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER. DEALER REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT GASKET BLEW 4 MONTHS LATER. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE 5X FOR BLOWN HEAD GASKETS SINCE LEASE. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10015255

25,000 miles · Mar 14, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FRONT BRAKES DID NOT HOLD, WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10011821

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2003
Visibility

I RENTED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM ON FEB. 04, 2003. IT WAS VERY COLD, AT NIGHT, AND SNOWING HEAVILY. I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFOGGER. IT FAILED TO CLEAR THE REAR WINDOW, AND I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AFTER NOTICING THAT IT HAD TURNED OFF. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED; THERE WAS NO PROJECTILE FOUND. MY WIFE, WHO WAS WI…

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I RENTED A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM ON FEB. 04, 2003. IT WAS VERY COLD, AT NIGHT, AND SNOWING HEAVILY. I TURNED ON THE REAR DEFOGGER. IT FAILED TO CLEAR THE REAR WINDOW, AND I TURNED IT ON AGAIN AFTER NOTICING THAT IT HAD TURNED OFF. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED; THERE WAS NO PROJECTILE FOUND. MY WIFE, WHO WAS WITH ME WHEN IT HAPPENED, AND I BELIEVE IT HAS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT, AND WE SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE, YET WE ARE BEING CHARGED BY BUDGET, WHO WAS CHARGED BY THE DEALER, FOR THE REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008141

4,000 miles · Feb 25, 2003
Electrical System

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT START IN TWO TO THREE DAYS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SOME HOW DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY ON THREE OCCASIONS SO FAR. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT STARTED WITHIN TEN DAYS, THE BATTERY WILL LOSE ITS CHARGE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCUR…

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WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT START IN TWO TO THREE DAYS, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS SOME HOW DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY ON THREE OCCASIONS SO FAR. THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT STARTED WITHIN TEN DAYS, THE BATTERY WILL LOSE ITS CHARGE. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS, THE REMOTE LOCKS WILL NOT WORK. THERE IS NO POWER TO ANY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANELS. CAR WILL NOT START. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008075

11,800 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Equipment

THE GAS LABEL WAS WRITTEN INCORRECTLY.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008749

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2003
Tires

THE TIRES VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH AND ABOVE, THE VIBRATION WAS INTERMITTENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10008644

11,400 miles · Feb 7, 2003
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury

WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE TRUNK, AND THE LATCHING BRACKET HAD SHOT OUT AND HIT THE CONSUMER. PH SCC

NHTSA ODI #10006747

36,145 miles · Jan 18, 2003
SteeringCrashInjury

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.

NHTSA ODI #10002928

11,100 miles · Jan 13, 2003
SteeringCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI #10002642

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.