VehicleVerdict

2002 Pontiac Grand AM problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 549 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.4 times the median Grand AM year — the 2002 model ranks #7 of 29 Grand AM years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 29 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 159 reports (29% of the total).

549

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

33

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

29

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Grand AM years?

See all Grand AM years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Pontiac Grand AM problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System15929%
Lighting10619%
Engine6612%
Brakes479%
Steering255%
Visibility & Wipers244%
Tires & Wheels204%
Airbags193%
Other173%
Fuel System153%
Transmission143%
Suspension102%
Body & Structure81%
Speed Control51%
Seats51%
Latches & Locks41%
Seat Belts41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V400000Electrical SystemJuly 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 units

Defect

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

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

06E064000LightingJuly 17, 2006 · 4,029 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHERS CAR WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN COMING UP ON A HILL GOING DOWN FELT LIKE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. COMING DOWN THE HILL IS WHEN I NOTICED MY EBRAKE DIDN'T EVEN WORK. MY BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND MY SECURITY LIGHT WERE ON. THEN COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR WENT IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 30, 2014 · crash

2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. FREQUENT ENGAGEMENT OF THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY FROM SIMPLY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL. WE RECEIVED A "RECALL NOTICE" RELATED TO THE TURN SIGNAL, BUT PONTIAC HAS NO RECORD OF OUR CAR QUALIFYING FOR THE RECALL. MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH REPLACED. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR $360. RESEARCH ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 10, 2006

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 22, 2015 · crash

I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHERS CAR WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN COMING UP ON A HILL GOING DOWN FELT LIKE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. COMING DOWN THE HILL IS WHEN I NOTICED MY EBRAKE DIDN'T EVEN WORK. MY BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND MY SECURITY LIGHT WERE ON. THEN COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR WENT IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 30, 2014 · crash

I WAS DRIVING MY MOTHERS CAR WHEN I WENT TO SLOW DOWN COMING UP ON A HILL GOING DOWN FELT LIKE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. COMING DOWN THE HILL IS WHEN I NOTICED MY EBRAKE DIDN'T EVEN WORK. MY BRAKE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, TRAC OFF LIGHT AND MY SECURITY LIGHT WERE ON. THEN COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR WENT IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 30, 2014 · crash

2002 Pontiac Grand AM — common questions

Is the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 549 complaints put the 2002 model at #7 of 29 Grand AM years. It is one of the Grand AM years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Grand AM problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (159 complaints), lighting (106 complaints), engine (66 complaints).

Does the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Grand AM years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand AM years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1996, 1997, 1995, 2002, 1994, 2003, 2004, 1992, 1993, 1998. The cleanest record among Grand AM years belongs to 1984.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.