MYRModel Year Report

2002 Pontiac Grand AM

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Pontiac Grand AM
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
395
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

39% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 0 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1986: 11 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1988: 33 complaints 1989: 44 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1992: 168 complaints 1992 1993: 206 complaints 1994: 384 complaints 1995: 409 complaints 1995 1996: 450 complaints 1997: 383 complaints 1998: 172 complaints 1998 1999: 849 complaints 2000: 675 complaints 2001: 538 complaints 2002: 395 complaints 2002 395 2003: 325 complaints 2004: 293 complaints 2005: 102 complaints
1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 0 complaints 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 11 complaints 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 33 complaints 1989: 44 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1991: 82 complaints 1991 1992: 168 complaints 1993: 206 complaints 1993 1994: 384 complaints 1995: 409 complaints 1995 1996: 450 complaints 1997: 383 complaints 1997 1998: 172 complaints 1999: 849 complaints 1999 2000: 675 complaints 2001: 538 complaints 2002: 395 complaints 2002 395 2003: 325 complaints 2004: 293 complaints 2005: 102 complaints 2005
1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 0 complaints 1984 1985: 4 complaints 1985 1986: 11 complaints 1986 1987: 28 complaints 1987 1988: 33 complaints 1988 1989: 44 complaints 1989 1990: 39 complaints 1990 1991: 82 complaints 1991 1992: 168 complaints 1992 1993: 206 complaints 1993 1994: 384 complaints 1994 1995: 409 complaints 1995 1996: 450 complaints 1996 1997: 383 complaints 1997 1998: 172 complaints 1998 1999: 849 complaints 1999 2000: 675 complaints 2000 2001: 538 complaints 2001 2002: 395 complaints 2002 395 2003: 325 complaints 2003 2004: 293 complaints 2004 2005: 102 complaints 2005

2002: 395 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19831
19840
19854
198611
198728
198833
198944
199039
199182
1992168
1993206
1994384
1995409
1996450
1997383
1998172
1999849
2000675
2001538
2002395
2003325
2004293
2005102

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

39% · 154 reports

Most commonly citing control module and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-01

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-18

Tl-contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM ---- vehicle has 165,478 miles contact was going 10MPH when blinkers stopped working, in turn lane to turn off main road at night..

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-19

Exterior lighting

26% · 104 reports

Most commonly citing switch and turn signal.

Engine and engine cooling

14% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

Service brakes

11% · 44 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Steering locked up while turning and brakes failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-01

Also filed under Steering

Steering

6% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and rack.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle is a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM SE1 sedan with the ecotec 2.2L engine. I was driving on the highway there was some snow and maybe a slight amount of ice in areas. And the car infront of me lost control.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-13

Steering felt loose, alignments were done, but did not remedy the problem. Vehicle was taken to dealer 4 times, could not find a problem. Consumer lost control of vehicle, and went off the road. *ak. There were 2 injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-05-06

Also filed under Suspension

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 395 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2005-09-27Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-01-13 Turn signal failures
  3. R
    2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2014-09-08Electrical system14V400000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Pontiac Grand AM — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 154 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 104 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 55 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14V400000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 39% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.