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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.

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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

Equipment complaints

11 reports
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28,000 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE ANTI THEFT ALARM SYSTEM WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE ANTI THEFT ALARM SYSTEM WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO START. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE BASIC CONTROL MODULE (BCM) WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #10350778

101,500 miles · May 21, 2010
Equipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE SECURITY PASS LOCK HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE VEHICLES…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO THE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE SECURITY PASS LOCK HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT ASSIST DUE TO THE VEHICLES AGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,500.

NHTSA ODI #10331561

112,000 miles · Dec 7, 2009
Electrical SystemEquipment

ABOUT A YEAR AGO CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED AND THE SERVICE GARAGE REPLACED THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY AND DID A SECURITY UPDATE. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO CAR WOULDN'T START TRIED JUMPING, NOTHING. SECURITY LIGHT ON DASH WAS BLINKING. RESEARCHED ON COMPUTER AND FOUND OUT IF YOU TURN KEY ON FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES THEN TRY TO START THE CAR…

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ABOUT A YEAR AGO CAR WOULDN'T START. HAD IT TOWED AND THE SERVICE GARAGE REPLACED THE IGNITION ASSEMBLY AND DID A SECURITY UPDATE. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO CAR WOULDN'T START TRIED JUMPING, NOTHING. SECURITY LIGHT ON DASH WAS BLINKING. RESEARCHED ON COMPUTER AND FOUND OUT IF YOU TURN KEY ON FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES THEN TRY TO START THE CAR IT WILL START. WELL I TRIED THIS AND IT WORKED. LEAVING THE KEY ON FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES RESETS THE SECURITY SYSTEM ON THE CAR. MY CAR HAS STARTED FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DISARM THE SECURITY SYSTEM AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR. MAYBE THIS IS WHAT THE GARAGE DID A YEAR AGO AND CHARGED FOR A NEW ASSEMBLY BECAUSE I STILL USE THE ORIGINAL KEY. PLEASE HELP BECAUSE I AM NOT ALONE AND THIS PROBLEM REALLY CONFUSES THE REPAIRMAN ACCORDING TO THE WEB SITE I FOUND THIS EASY FIX ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294820

70,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
EquipmentExterior Lighting

MY 2002 GRAND AM HAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT TO GREENFIELD PONTIAC AFTER HEARING ABOUT A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEY TOLD ME THE BULLETIN DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEM I HAD AND THAT SINCE IT DID NOT CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD, IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE COST TO ME WOULD BE ABOUT $300 FOR A NEW 'MULTIFUNCTION SW…

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MY 2002 GRAND AM HAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. I TOOK IT TO GREENFIELD PONTIAC AFTER HEARING ABOUT A SERVICE BULLETIN. THEY TOLD ME THE BULLETIN DID NOT COVER THE PROBLEM I HAD AND THAT SINCE IT DID NOT CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD, IT WAS NOT COVERED. THE COST TO ME WOULD BE ABOUT $300 FOR A NEW 'MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH' WHICH IS THE BLINKER/DIRECTIONAL ARM. MY TURN SIGNALS DO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN I NEED TO USE THEM, AND AS FAR AS I KNOW THE LIGHTS ARE NOT ACTUALLY FLASHING. THE CLICKING IS NOT CONSTANT, OR EVERYDAY, BUT WHEN IT GETS GOING, SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT STOP FOR 10 TO 20 MINUTES. I THINK I'M GOING DEAF FROM TURNING THE RADIO UP SO I DON'T HAVE TO HEAR THE CLICKING. I'VE HAD SEVERAL OTHER BAD EXPERIENCES WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT COVERED (I.E. TIMING WENT AT 40,000 MI--BIG BILL!). I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PRODUCT--THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10238778

40,000 miles · Aug 15, 2006
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineInterior Lighting

SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR PONTIAC GRAND AM IN APRIL 2002 WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ITEMS FAIL THAT I FEEL SHOULD NOT HAVE. THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL RELAY? FAILED AT 6,000 MILES, THE WINDOW SASH CHANNELS AND RELAYS HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES. TWICE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND 1 TIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DASH IS PEELING UP AT THE BASE OF THE WINDS…

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SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR PONTIAC GRAND AM IN APRIL 2002 WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL ITEMS FAIL THAT I FEEL SHOULD NOT HAVE. THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL RELAY? FAILED AT 6,000 MILES, THE WINDOW SASH CHANNELS AND RELAYS HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES. TWICE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND 1 TIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DASH IS PEELING UP AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD CLOSE TO THE VIN# PLATE. THE DOME LIGHT BRACKET FAILED AND THE LIGHT NO LONGER IS ON THE INTERIOR ROOF. CHEAP PLASTIC BRACKET THAT WILL COST SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX. THE DRIVER POWER SEAT HAS FAILED LEAVING THE SEAT IN THE UP POSITION. THE WORST THING ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS THAT IT HAS COST ME SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HAVE THESE ITEMS FIXED AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165490

45,000 miles · Oct 5, 2004
Equipment

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

NHTSA ODI #10095067

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2004
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

THIS IS THE 2ND GRAND AM I HAVE OWNED AND BOTH TIMES THE INTAKE GASKET HAS STARTED LEAKING THE FIRST ON STARTED LEAKING AT 74.000 MILES AND MY NEW ONE STARTED LEAKING AT 30.000 MILES... WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE GASKETS THE FIRST ONE WAS A 1999 AND THE NEW ONE IS A 2002. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10053277

45,000 miles · Dec 22, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR PROBLEMS AND THEY CAN TYPICALLY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT FIX IT. I HAVE HAD 3 BRAKE JOBS ON MY CAR, AS WELL AS THE CALIPERS REBUILT, AND MY BRAKES STILL DO NOT WORK RIGHT. THE ABS SYSTEM FAILS CONSTANTLY. I EXPERIENCE SLIDES ON DRY SURFACES EVEN. I ALSO HAVE TRANSMISSI…

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I HAVE HAD MY CAR IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR PROBLEMS AND THEY CAN TYPICALLY REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT FIX IT. I HAVE HAD 3 BRAKE JOBS ON MY CAR, AS WELL AS THE CALIPERS REBUILT, AND MY BRAKES STILL DO NOT WORK RIGHT. THE ABS SYSTEM FAILS CONSTANTLY. I EXPERIENCE SLIDES ON DRY SURFACES EVEN. I ALSO HAVE TRANSMISSION, COOLANT, AND FUELING PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD A FUEL PUMP REPLACED FINALLY, AFTER THE 3RD TIME OF TAKING IT IN FOR NOT STARTING, 2 TIMES PRIOR THERE WAS NOTHING SUPPOSEDLY WRONG. ALSO, I AM STILL GETTING ONLY 125 MILES ON A TANK OF GAS. THEY AN RECIPROCATE THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT FIX IT. I ALSO KEEP GETTING A LOW COOLANT AND CHECK ENGINE MESSAGE LIGHTS BUT THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG. THE POWER WINDOWS ALSO DRAG AND MAKE MARKS ON THE WINDOW SURFACES. THEY ARE VERY SLOW ROLLING UP. THE LIGHT IN THE RADIO AREA FADES IN AND OUT, AND THE RADIO GOES OFF AND ON ALOT AS WELL AS ONLY THE FRONT SPEAKERS WORK PRIMARILY. BACK DO NOT. ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS, AND CAUSES CAR TO REV UP TO 5000 RPMS VERY SCARY!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10050948

20,000 miles · Sep 24, 2003
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

2002 PONTIAC GRANDAM GT-1 HAS CONTINUOUS GRINDING, RUBBING, AND POPPING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT STEERING. ALSO HAS UNCONTROLED POWER STEERING WHERE THE CAR COULD GO OFF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIPS CAN OR WILL NOT TRY TO FIND THESE SERIOUS DEFECTS, THEY SAY THAT IT IS THE TIRES THAT IS CAUSING THESE DEFECTS.THIS IS THE SECOND NEW GT-1…

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2002 PONTIAC GRANDAM GT-1 HAS CONTINUOUS GRINDING, RUBBING, AND POPPING SOUNDS FROM THE FRONT STEERING. ALSO HAS UNCONTROLED POWER STEERING WHERE THE CAR COULD GO OFF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIPS CAN OR WILL NOT TRY TO FIND THESE SERIOUS DEFECTS, THEY SAY THAT IT IS THE TIRES THAT IS CAUSING THESE DEFECTS.THIS IS THE SECOND NEW GT-1 WITHIN THE PAST THREE YEARS WITH THE SAME DEFECTS THAT I HAVE OWNED.

NHTSA ODI #10039429

11,800 miles · Feb 19, 2003
Equipment

THE GAS LABEL WAS WRITTEN INCORRECTLY.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10008749

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.