IllustrationI REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING BACK IN 2018 BUT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STILL ON IT HAS TO BE A AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE SINCE I PURCHASED MY FIRST CAR SINCE 2011 IT NEEDS TO BE TURNED OFF
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
Air Bags complaints
19 reports'TAKATA RECALL' DETERIORATION OF AIRBAGS DUE TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND THE HEAT OF THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CRASHED INTO A CURB, DEFLATING THE TIRE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CRASHED INTO A CURB, DEFLATING THE TIRE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-90 EAST GOING THROUGH SOUTH DAKOTA. THE WEATHER WAS BAD AND THE ROAD WAS ICY AND VERY SLICK. THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER THAT ROLLED OVER ON THE ROAD AND I DID NOT SEE IT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THERE WERE ABOUT 10 CARS IN BACK OF THE TRUCK AND I COULD NOT STOP. I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE BACK END OF A …
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I WAS DRIVING ALONG I-90 EAST GOING THROUGH SOUTH DAKOTA. THE WEATHER WAS BAD AND THE ROAD WAS ICY AND VERY SLICK. THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER THAT ROLLED OVER ON THE ROAD AND I DID NOT SEE IT UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. THERE WERE ABOUT 10 CARS IN BACK OF THE TRUCK AND I COULD NOT STOP. I HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE BACK END OF A 1 TON TRUCK. IT DID NOT DO ANY DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK BUT IT COMPLETELY TOTALED MY CAR. I HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD , LEFT ARM AND HAND. I SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES AND MY HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CRACKED IT THE SIZE OF A GRAPEFRUIT BEFORE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THEY DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER I WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHICH IS BS. I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND AN XRAY OF MY HEAD WAS NEVER DONE. THEY TOOK AN XRAY OF MY ARM AND HAND AND SAID I HAD A CONTUSION. MY HEAD WAS BIG AND SWOLLEN AND SO WAS MY ARM AND HAND AND I HAD HEADACHES FOR A MONTH AND A HALF AND I STILL DON'T FEEL VERY WELL SINCE THE ACCIDENT. I TRIED TO FILE A CLAIM AGAINST GM FOR THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS ON THE CAR AND THEY WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN STURGIS SD AND THE STATE PATROL DETERMINED THAT THE DRIVER AT FAULT WAS THE DRIVER OF THE 18 WHEELER TRUCK. I GOT NO COMPENSATION WHATSOEVER FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THE TOW COMPANY ENDED UP STEALING MY CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT EMITTED SMOKE AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG COMPARTMENT EMITTED SMOKE AND MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. ADDITIONALLY, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,456. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURNING AND HAZARD SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURES WERE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURNING AND HAZARD SIGNALS FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURES WERE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH FLIPPED OVER AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH FLIPPED OVER AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
DASHBOARD MELTED. *TR
THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, I WOULD START MY CAR AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AND THEY AT TIME IT GO OFF AS REGULAR (SHORTAGE), THEN IT JUST START STAYING ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW SDM MODULE THAT WOULD COST AROUND $500. MY AIRBAG WAS DISCONNECTED DUE TO WHAT WAS GOING ON, THEY TOLD …
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THERE WAS NO INCIDENT, I WOULD START MY CAR AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AND THEY AT TIME IT GO OFF AS REGULAR (SHORTAGE), THEN IT JUST START STAYING ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW SDM MODULE THAT WOULD COST AROUND $500. MY AIRBAG WAS DISCONNECTED DUE TO WHAT WAS GOING ON, THEY TOLD ME IF I WAS IN AN INCIDENT IT MIGHT WOULD OR WOULDN'T DEFLATE OR EVEN IF I HIT A POT HOLE OR SOMETHING IT MIGHT DEFLATE. EITHER WAY IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. EVEN WITH IT BEING DISCONNECTED NOW IS NOT SAFE BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GET IT REPLACE. *TR
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.