IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *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 reportsFRONT CRASH AT 35 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS 6-7000 DOLLARS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS EXPERIENCED INTENSE BACK PAINS (TO A CONDITION THAT ALREADY EXISTS). *SCC
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT IS DESIGNED IN A WAY THAT IT CANNOT BE ADJUSTED ON FRAME OF VEHICLE, WHEN WORN IT GOES ACROSS DRIVER'S NECK.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR CLOSES ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING OPENED WHEN ON AN INCLINE, CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TIRE EXPERIENCED A FLAT.*JB
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…
Read full complaint
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
I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT NOT BECAUSE OF A FAILURE THAT HAS OCCURRED WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT SOLEY A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE A BRAND NEW PONTIAC GRAND AM GT 2 DOOR COUPE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS RIDE ABNORMALLY HIGH ON THE SHOULDER, IMPINGING IN THE NECK. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SEAT BELT UNIT, I NOTICED A DESIGN…
Read full complaint
I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT NOT BECAUSE OF A FAILURE THAT HAS OCCURRED WITH MY VEHICLE, BUT SOLEY A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE A BRAND NEW PONTIAC GRAND AM GT 2 DOOR COUPE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS RIDE ABNORMALLY HIGH ON THE SHOULDER, IMPINGING IN THE NECK. UPON INSPECTION OF THE SEAT BELT UNIT, I NOTICED A DESIGN FLAW THAT I FEEL COULD CAUSE SERIOUS NECK INJURIES WHEN IN A COLLISION. THE SEAT BELT ON THIS CAR HAS A GUIDE WHICH IS MOUNTED BETWEEN THE HEADREST AND THE BACKREST OF THE SEAT. THIS GUIDE EXTENDS FROM THE TOP PORTION OF THE BACKREST TO ABOUT THE MID SECTION OF THE HEADREST (ESTIMATE OF 4-5" TOTAL HEIGHT). THIS GUIDE IS WHERE THE SEAT BELT RUNS THROUGH, PLACING THE SHOULDER HARNESS IN THE PROPER POSITION. HOWEVER, THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN. THIS GUIDE IS SO LARGE, THAT IT DOES NOT GUIDE THE SEAT BELT OVER THE SHOULDER IN THE PROPER POSITION. FOR THIS REASON, THE SEAT BELT SITS HIGH ON THE SHOULDER, PARTLY ON THE NECK. I AM A NORMAL SIZED MALE ADULT, SO THIS PROBLEM DEFINITELY SHOULD NOT OCCUR. I NOTICED THAT ON PREVIOUS YEARS OF GRAND AM'S THAT THIS SEAT BELT GUIDE IS SMALLER IN SIZE, THUS GUIDING THE SEAT BELT TO THE PROPER POSITION. I FEAR THAT IF I WERE TO BE IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT, THIS SEAT BELT WOULD CAUSE SERIOUS CERVICAL SPINAL CORD DAMAGE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND REQUESTED THAT THE PROBLEM BE FIXED. THE DEALERSHIP DENIES THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS NOT OFFERED A SOLID SOLUTION. I SUGGESTED THAT THEY REPLACE THE GUIDE WITH A SMALLER ONE FROM A PREVIOUS MODEL, BUT REFUSE TO DO SO STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WOULD BE VOID. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED PONTIAC AT 1800 PM CARES. MY COMPLAINT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED AND I HIGHLY DOUBT THAT THEY WILL DO ANYTHING WITH IT. THIS IS WHY I DEDIDED TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. BEING A FIIREFIGTER/PARAMEDIC, I SEE A HUGE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY DUE TO THIS DESIGN FLAW. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO RESEARCH THIS COMPLAINT AND ENFORCE A PROPER RESOLUTION.*AK
MY WIFE AND SISTER IN LAW WERE IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT YESTERDAY IN WHICH BOTH WERE WEARING THERE SEATBELTS AND THE OTHER DRIVER PASSED OUT AND CAME ACROSS THE CENTER LINE AND HIT THEM HEAD ON EACH WERE DOING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, AND NEITHER ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER CARS AIRBAG DEPLOYED.*AK
CAR PURCHASED NEW. PARKING BRAKE FAILED AT 362 MILES AND 4670 MILES. BRAKE WILL NOT ENGAGE AND RELEASE BUTTON IS LOOSE. BRAKE FAILED SUDDENLY BOTH TIMES.*AK
PASSENGER'S SIDE BACK DOOR OPENED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION ON DASHBOARD. PLEASE ROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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…
Read full complaint
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
WHILE DRIVING, APPLIED BRAKES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK THIS VEHICLE WAS A RENTED VEHICLE IN WHICH 2 ACCIDENTS OCCURRED WITHIN A 16 HOUR PERIOD, BOTH ACCIDENTS WERE CAUSED BY THE FAULTY ABS, CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS. *SLC
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.