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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

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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

97 reports
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134,000 miles · Jul 26, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I BOUGHT A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND LATELY THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK WHENEVER THEY WANT. I JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THIS WEBSITE TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BACK ON THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAS SINCE CLOSED. I WAS WANTING TO KNOW IF I CAN GET ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I YOU CAN …

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I BOUGHT A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND LATELY THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK WHENEVER THEY WANT. I JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THIS WEBSITE TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BACK ON THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAS SINCE CLOSED. I WAS WANTING TO KNOW IF I CAN GET ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I YOU CAN HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10616460

140,000 miles · Apr 28, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I BOUGHT MY 2002 GRAND AM ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TURN SIGNALS MADE A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO IT SEEMS. SOMETIMES THE SIGNALS WORK CORRECTLY. OTHER TIMES THEY BLINK TOO FAST, TOO SLOW, MAKE A BUZZING NOISE WITH NO BLINKING OR THEY BUZZ AND BLINK. THIS IS HIGHLY ANNOYING. I HAVE AL…

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I BOUGHT MY 2002 GRAND AM ABOUT A YEAR AGO. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT IT, THE TURN SIGNALS MADE A BUZZING NOISE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO IT SEEMS. SOMETIMES THE SIGNALS WORK CORRECTLY. OTHER TIMES THEY BLINK TOO FAST, TOO SLOW, MAKE A BUZZING NOISE WITH NO BLINKING OR THEY BUZZ AND BLINK. THIS IS HIGHLY ANNOYING. I HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN A TICKET FOR FAILING TO USE MY TURN SIGNAL. IT JUST BUZZED WITH NO BLINKING AND WHEN I WENT TO PROVE IT TO THE OFFICER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THEM, IT WORKED PERFECTLY FINE! HOW CONVENIENT! ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN I GO TO START MY CAR IT WONT TURN OVER OR CRANK. I'VE NOTICED THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON AROUND THE TIME THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE TO LEAVE MY KEY ON THE ON POSITION FOR 15 MINS AND THEN IT WILL START. FROM THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE THIS IS A PASS LOCK SECURITY FEATURE WHICH SHUTS DOWN THE FUEL SYSTEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10585229

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2014
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS STARTED NOT WORKING SOME TIME . TURN SIGNALS NOW DO NOT WORK AT ALL. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'VE REPLACED THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AS RECOMMENDED BY EVERYONE. HAZARDS WORK STILL NO SIGNAL. TALKING WITH PONTIAC THEY ARE NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN TO SAY THE…

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TURN SIGNALS STARTED NOT WORKING SOME TIME . TURN SIGNALS NOW DO NOT WORK AT ALL. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'VE REPLACED THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AS RECOMMENDED BY EVERYONE. HAZARDS WORK STILL NO SIGNAL. TALKING WITH PONTIAC THEY ARE NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN TO SAY THEY HAD A RECALL UP TO 2001 NOTHING FURTHER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO SAY THE LEAST. NOT TO MENTION A POSSIBLE TICKET FROM LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO AND ADDRESS THOSE ISSUE. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572532

235,107 miles · Mar 8, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. MY BLINKER ONLY WORKS SOME TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSES BUT IT HAS NOT CHANGED ANYTHING. AS I TRIED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE ONLINE FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF POSTINGS BY PEOPLE WITH PONTIAC GRAND SAM'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALSO SURPRISED TO SEE THE…

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I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. MY BLINKER ONLY WORKS SOME TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSES BUT IT HAS NOT CHANGED ANYTHING. AS I TRIED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE ONLINE FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF POSTINGS BY PEOPLE WITH PONTIAC GRAND SAM'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALSO SURPRISED TO SEE THERE WAS NOT YET A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS WERE OTHER OWNERS AS I READ THERE COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DID NOT PURCHASE MY VEHICLE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A RISK OF AN ACCIDENT OR GETTING A TICKET. PLEASE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567959

99,500 miles · Feb 16, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, GM WAS TO UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO COVER VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327, FOR A NO COST REPLACEMENT. LETTERS TO OWNERS WERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT JUNE 2006. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL GM/PONTIAC DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULT…

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IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, GM WAS TO UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO COVER VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327, FOR A NO COST REPLACEMENT. LETTERS TO OWNERS WERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT JUNE 2006. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL GM/PONTIAC DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH/TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD SWITCH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY SPECIAL POLICY OR RECALL. HOWEVER, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH IS NOT THE MAIN PROBLEM, IT IS THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. EVEN IF THEY HAD REPLACED A HAZARD SWITCH IT WOULD NOT HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, WHICH IS CONTAMINATED GREASE THAT HAD BRIDGED THE CONTACTS OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY GM/PONTIAC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564543

130,000 miles · Aug 28, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TURN SIGNALS STARTED TO MAKE CLICKING NOISE AFTER THE TURN HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND LIGHT HAD ALREADY STOPPED BLINKING. SOON AFTER THE CLICKING NOISE WOULD START INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER OR NOT THE TURN SIGNAL HAD BEEN USED. NOW THE LIGHTS ARE NOT FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10537818

114,000 miles · Jul 31, 2013
Exterior Lighting

I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TURN SIGNALS, I CANT GET THE TURN SIGNALS OR EMERGENCY FLASHER TO WORK HALF THE TIME, I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS. NOT SURE WHAT'S UP BUT THIS NEEDS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532953

94,600 miles · Apr 8, 2013
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,600. THE CUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,200.

NHTSA ODI #10507537

99,467 miles · May 16, 2012
Exterior Lighting

I LIVE IN TIDEWATER VIRGINIA. VERY BUSY HIGHWAYS. I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOME. FIRST STOP SIGN AT THE END OF MY STREET. INDICATED A RIGHT TURN AND NO BLINKER CAME ON. THROUGH MY ENTIRE TRIP NO BLINKERS CAME ON. VERY SCARY. IT DOES WORK WHEN IT WANTS TO,BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN. LATELY IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH MORE FREQUENT. I POUND ABOVE M…

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I LIVE IN TIDEWATER VIRGINIA. VERY BUSY HIGHWAYS. I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOME. FIRST STOP SIGN AT THE END OF MY STREET. INDICATED A RIGHT TURN AND NO BLINKER CAME ON. THROUGH MY ENTIRE TRIP NO BLINKERS CAME ON. VERY SCARY. IT DOES WORK WHEN IT WANTS TO,BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN. LATELY IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH MORE FREQUENT. I POUND ABOVE MY RADIO, WHICH IS WERE THE RELAY/SWITCH IS LOCATED I CAN USUALLY GET IT TO WORK. STILL AFTER LEARNING OF THIS INFO. IT DISTURBS ME VERY MUCH.

NHTSA ODI #10458736

99,709 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, I HAD MY CAR TAKEN IN AND LOOKED AT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THEY SWITCH OUT A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL 03V327. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT IS THE HAZARD SWITCH THAT IS COVERED AND NOT THE MULTI-FUNC…

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IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, I HAD MY CAR TAKEN IN AND LOOKED AT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THEY SWITCH OUT A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL 03V327. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT IS THE HAZARD SWITCH THAT IS COVERED AND NOT THE MULTI-FUNCTION/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. HOWEVER, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH IS NOT THE MAIN PROBLEM, IT IS THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. EVEN IF THEY HAD REPLACED A HAZARD SWITCH IT WOULD NOT HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, WHICH IS CONTAMINATED GREASE THAT HAD BRIDGED THE CONTACTS OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443453

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.