IllustrationI HAVE A CLICKING NOISES THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING FROM TURN SIGNALS OR EMERGENCY FLASHERS. FLASHERS DO NOT MAKE ANY SOUND WHEN EITHER IS ACTIVATED. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ALARM WOULD ENGAGE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIEN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DOORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY LOCK AND THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ALARM WOULD ENGAGE WITHOUT WARRANT. THE DEALER ADVISED THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE BEFORE AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION CYLINDER AND RESET THE THEFT SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ACC POSITION ON THE IGNITION SWITCH THE ENGINE WOULD START AFTER WAITING FOR A PERIOD OF TEN TO TWENTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICL…
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TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ACC POSITION ON THE IGNITION SWITCH THE ENGINE WOULD START AFTER WAITING FOR A PERIOD OF TEN TO TWENTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 132,000.
I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL RELAY, OR EMERGENCY FLASHER. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL WILL WORK, SOMETIMES NOT, WHICH IS PRETTY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, AND SEE THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I CALLED THE 1-800-620-7…
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I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM THAT HAS A DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL RELAY, OR EMERGENCY FLASHER. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL WILL WORK, SOMETIMES NOT, WHICH IS PRETTY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, AND SEE THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I CALLED THE 1-800-620-7668 AND WAS TOLD NO RECALLS WERE ON MY CAR. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
2002 GRAND AM THERE HAS BEEN A SHORT IN MY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THAT'S WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM AND I WAS AWARE OF THE TSB BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. SOMETHING LINKED TO THAT IS CLICKING IN THE DASH. IF I DEPRESS THE HAZARD BUTTON 1/2 W…
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2002 GRAND AM THERE HAS BEEN A SHORT IN MY MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THAT'S WHAT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THEM AND I WAS AWARE OF THE TSB BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. SOMETHING LINKED TO THAT IS CLICKING IN THE DASH. IF I DEPRESS THE HAZARD BUTTON 1/2 WAY IT STOPS BUT I CAN'T EXACTLY DRIVE AROUND LIKE THAT. IT'S NOT CONSTANT AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THE SIGNALS ARE WORKING FINE WHEN I USE THEM. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2002 USED WITH 73K MILES 12/09. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4K MILES JUST DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK I TOOK AN 800 MI ROAD TRIP. WHEN THE CAR GOT UP TO RUNNING TEMPERATURE IN HUMIDITY THE TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T FUNCTION. I STOPPED AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THERE WEREN'T ANY BLOWN BULBS OR FUSES, BUT THERE WEREN'T ANY. AFTER…
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I PURCHASED MY 2002 USED WITH 73K MILES 12/09. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4K MILES JUST DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK I TOOK AN 800 MI ROAD TRIP. WHEN THE CAR GOT UP TO RUNNING TEMPERATURE IN HUMIDITY THE TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T FUNCTION. I STOPPED AND CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THERE WEREN'T ANY BLOWN BULBS OR FUSES, BUT THERE WEREN'T ANY. AFTER LETTING THE GRAND AM COOL DOWN, I WENT BACK ON THE ROAD. AGAIN, THE SIGNALS DIDN'T WORK. I WAS CAREFUL AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS, BUT THIS ISSUE IS CAUSING GREAT CONCERN, AND I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANYTHING. THERE HAS BEEN A TSB 034-327 THAT IS FOR THE SAME MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH. WHY DIDN'T THIS TSB COVER THE SWITCH FOR THE 2002 GRAND AM? *TR
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE ON 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM,LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE BROKE INSIDE BRAKE LEVER CAUSING RELEASE OF BRAKE! VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY ONTO STREET. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION! NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT! *TR
SAFETY LIGHT ON IN 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. KEY HAS TROUBLE TURNING OVER AT TIMES. HAS TO DO WITH SECURITY IN IGNITION. IF KEY IS NOT INSERTED JUST RIGHT AFTER KEY IS WORN DOWN AFTER USING IN CAR A WHILE, THE CAR THINKS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND TRIES TO SHUT DOWN LIKE IT IS TRYING TO BE STOLEN AND IT CAN LEAVE YOU STRANDED. I…
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SAFETY LIGHT ON IN 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. KEY HAS TROUBLE TURNING OVER AT TIMES. HAS TO DO WITH SECURITY IN IGNITION. IF KEY IS NOT INSERTED JUST RIGHT AFTER KEY IS WORN DOWN AFTER USING IN CAR A WHILE, THE CAR THINKS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND TRIES TO SHUT DOWN LIKE IT IS TRYING TO BE STOLEN AND IT CAN LEAVE YOU STRANDED. I CAN NOT GET THE SECURITY LIGHT TO GO OFF AND AT TIMES THE KEY DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. *TR
2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT - FAILS TO START EVERY TIME. SECURITY PASSLOCK ISSUE. IF THE VEHICLE DOESN'T THINK IT'S THE RIGHT KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WILL NOT START. THE SOLUTION IS TO SIT AND WAIT FOR 15 MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO GO OFF. AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING PARTS THIS STILL HAPPENS. THIS PROBLE…
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2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT - FAILS TO START EVERY TIME. SECURITY PASSLOCK ISSUE. IF THE VEHICLE DOESN'T THINK IT'S THE RIGHT KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WILL NOT START. THE SOLUTION IS TO SIT AND WAIT FOR 15 MINUTES FOR THE SECURITY LIGHT TO GO OFF. AFTER SPENDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS REPLACING PARTS THIS STILL HAPPENS. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY GM. *TR
WHY AREN'T 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM'S INCLUDED IN THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH RECALL 03V-327? IT IS THE SAME MALFUNCTIONING PART SO IT SHOULD REQUIRE THE MANUFACTURER'S TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT AND LABOR. *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.