Model year record

2002 Pontiac Grand AM recalls & problems

The 2002 Pontiac Grand AM has 4 safety recalls and 395 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (154 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints395filed by owners

Crashes · fires22 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths23 · 0reported in complaints

2002 Pontiac Grand AM in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJul 3, 2014

Ignition

Recall 14V4000005,877,718 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009

Exterior lighting

Recall 09E01200016,270 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0640004,029 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Pontiac Grand Am 2-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2002 Pontiac Grand Am 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2002 Pontiac Grand AM NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2002 Pontiac Grand AM NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Grand Am

25mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Grand Am

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

Grand Am

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Anti-theft › Control module; Ignition › Switch	154	3	2	2	80,397 mi
Exterior lightingTurn signal; Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch	104	0	0	0	80,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	55	0	0	0	56,968 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	33	1	0	1	30,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Rack and pinion	25	8	0	4	54,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Glass, side/rear	24	0	0	0	48,155 mi
Air bagsFrontal	19	12	1	13	87,000 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	14	0	0	0	45,000 mi
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems	12	0	0	0	30,000 mi
EquipmentElectrical › Anti-theft devices; Appliance › Air conditioner	11	0	0	0	45,000 mi
Engine	11	2	0	1	120,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Rear	10	1	0	4	40,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
MY PONTIAC GRAND AM SE 4DS 3.4 LITER ENGINE 2002 HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON & STAYS ON & THEN WHEN I SHUT IT OFF & THEN GET BACK IN CAR TO START IT , IT WOULDN'T START THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES & I HAVE TO WAIT 10 MINUTES OR FOR IT TO GO OUT LEAVING THE CAR IN ON POSITION FOR 10 MINUTES OR MORE EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR TO START IT BUT ONCE I WAIT 10 MINUTES THE LIGHT GO'S OUT & THEN START CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT STAYS ON AGAIN WITHOUT FLASHING THEN WHEN I GET SHUT THE CAR DOWN & THEN START AGAIN THE SECURITY LIGHT FLASHES AGAIN CAN'T START THE CAR AGAIN & THIS HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY NON STOP THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I PARK MY CAR AT A SHOPPING CENTER OR MY PARKING…
Mar 10, 2020 · 179,486 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
I WAS DIVING DOWN HWY 70 GOING TO PICK UP MY FIRST DELIVERY FOR THE DAY WHEN, I'M NOT SURE HOW BUT THE KEY CAME OUT OF THE ON POSTION AND FELL OUT ON FLOOR, SCARED I WAS GOING TO CRASH I HURRIEDLY REACHED DOWN AND PUT IT BACK IN AND NOTICED THE SECURITY LIGHT HAD CAME ON AND WITHIN MINUTES IT LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT OFF, LUCKILY I AM A GOOD DRIVER AND DIDN'T CRASH BUT MANAGE TO GET OFF ROAD SAFELY. I'M SO GLAD WORSE DIDN'T HAPPEN. NOW I HAVE NO CAR AND PROBABLY LOST ALL 3 JOBS I HAD.
Nov 27, 2019 · 180,000 miles
Air bags
I 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
Oct 11, 2018
Steering
TAKATA RECALL TRANSMISSION - SHIFTS HARD, WENT OUT WITH OUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS. WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WHEN I TRIED TO GO, IT WOULDN'T GO PAST 10 MPH AND WENT ALL THE WAY UP TO 4TH RPM. POWER STEERING LEAKS BAD.
Aug 11, 2019 · 127,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE CAR IT'S HAD A STRONG GAS ODOR THAT FILLS THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT GETS WORSE WHEN YOU RUN THE DEFROST AND WHEN THE GAS TANK IS ON E. IT'S AN EVERYDAY STRONG GAS ODOR AND MOST OF THE TIME IT'S EVERYTIME YOU DRIVE IT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IN ONE DAY OR HOW LONG OF A PERIOD AT A TIME.
Mar 26, 2018 · 220,000 miles
Exterior lighting › Turn signal
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, BUT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS. WHEN THE HAZARD BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED, THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR STARTED TO WORK AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Nov 25, 2018 · 130,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND SECURITY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SECURITY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION CHEVROLET AT (407) 680-0751 (LOCATED AT 3707 W COLONIAL DR, ORLANDO, FL 32808) AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
Aug 9, 2017 · 170,377 miles
Air bags
'TAKATA RECALL' DETERIORATION OF AIRBAGS DUE TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION AND THE HEAT OF THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES
Mar 28, 2008

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TURN SIGNAL FAILURESClosed
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…
PE05055 · opened Sep 27, 2005 · closed Jan 13, 2006