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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
Mileage unknown · May 10, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

THE BACK DOORS HAVE OPENED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE DOOR LATCHES WERE CLEANED BUT STILL NOTHING WAS FOUND. CONSUMER HAS A 4 MONTH OLD BABY WHO'S CAR SEAT IS NEXT TO THE DOOR AND THE DOOR OPENED AGAIN. THE PROBLEM STILL HAS…

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THE BACK DOORS HAVE OPENED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE DOOR LATCHES WERE CLEANED BUT STILL NOTHING WAS FOUND. CONSUMER HAS A 4 MONTH OLD BABY WHO'S CAR SEAT IS NEXT TO THE DOOR AND THE DOOR OPENED AGAIN. THE PROBLEM STILL HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED. *JG

NHTSA ODI #565748

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2002
SteeringSuspensionInjury

STEERING FELT LOOSE, ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE, BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 4 TIMES, COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND WENT OFF THE ROAD. *AK. THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*YD

NHTSA ODI #8009218

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2002
Visibility

APRIL 1, 2002, I BOUGHT A NEW CAR, A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT BETWEEN 12 PM AND 2 PM, ABOUT 4 PM I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON I55 GOING NORTHBOUND, DURING THE THUNDER STORM WE HAD WITH RAIN AND SNOW AND EVEN SOME SLEET. AT THAT TIME I HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON "HI" AND PROCEEDED VERY CAUTIOUSLY ON THE ROAD, AT THAT GIVEN TIME,…

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APRIL 1, 2002, I BOUGHT A NEW CAR, A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT BETWEEN 12 PM AND 2 PM, ABOUT 4 PM I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY ON I55 GOING NORTHBOUND, DURING THE THUNDER STORM WE HAD WITH RAIN AND SNOW AND EVEN SOME SLEET. AT THAT TIME I HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON "HI" AND PROCEEDED VERY CAUTIOUSLY ON THE ROAD, AT THAT GIVEN TIME, I HAD HEARD A SNAP AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED DEAD IN THERE TRACKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD, I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE EXPRESSWAY TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR, AS THE WEATHER WAS REALLY BAD. FROM THERE, I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO PONTIAC TO HAVE IT SERVICED, ALONZO GREENE (SALESMAN) INFORMED ME THAT THE MECHANICS HAD GONE HOME FOR THE DAY AND TO COME BACK TOMORROW, AFTER DISPUTING WITH HIM, A $24,000 CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS, HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING HE CAN DO, THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK TO PONTIAC TO HAVE THE CAR SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG, TOOK THE CAR BACK HOME AND A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, YET THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO PONTIAC, THE MECHANICS SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH AND WHEN THEY CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS, GM STATED NOT TO REPLACE ANY PARTS ON THE CAR, UNLESS THERE WAS A RECALL OR THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECALL, NO SATISFACTION FROM THE MECHCANICS OR PONTIAC, SALLY FROM THE PONTIAC CORPORATION HAD BEEN CONTACTED, SHE SPOKE WITH ME AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS NOT TO LEAVE THE LOT UNTIL THE WIPERS WERE FIXED, SHE WANTED TO SPEAK WITH A MECHANIC, SHE SPOKE WITH JERRY, JERRY WALKED AWAY OUT OF SIGHT WITH THE PHONE, JERRY PUT ME BACK ON THE PHONE WITH SALLY , SALLY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR, IT WAS FINE, I ASKED HER, "WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN, IF GOD FORBID I AM IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO WIPER FAILURE AND SOMEONE IS HURT OR KILLED"? AND SALLY SAID WITH AN ATTIUDE "YOU HAVE INSURANCE AND FULL COVERAGE, YOU ARE COVERED IF IT DOES". BOTTOM LINE, GM, THE SERVICE GARAGE, AND PONTIAC REFUSE TO REPAIR THE CAR OR TO GIVE ME A NEW CAR, ITS UNDER WARRANTY. NLM

NHTSA ODI #760850

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2002
Tires

VEHICLE IS MAKING GRINDING/ RUBBING NOISES. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER INDICATED THAT GOODYEAR, EAGLE TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST RIM OF VEHICLE, SIZE# P225/50R16, DOT#T303462GCW. *AK *YD

NHTSA ODI #8005610

Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED IN GARAGE WHEN DRIVER NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDER VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP. DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THERE WAS NO WATER PUMP AVAILABLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8004156

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.