MYRModel Year Report

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
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
330
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2002: 330 complaints 2002 330 2003: 106 complaints 2004: 454 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1989 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1997 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2002: 330 complaints 2002 330 2003: 106 complaints 2004: 454 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 92 complaints 1989: 143 complaints 1989 1990: 177 complaints 1991: 173 complaints 1991 1992: 117 complaints 1993: 132 complaints 1993 1994: 217 complaints 1995: 169 complaints 1995 1996: 79 complaints 1997: 810 complaints 1997 1998: 499 complaints 1999: 412 complaints 1999 2000: 461 complaints 2001: 308 complaints 2001 2002: 330 complaints 2002 330 2003: 106 complaints 2003 2004: 454 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 239 complaints 2007: 220 complaints 2007 2008: 143 complaints

2002: 330 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19853
19862
19872
198892
1989143
1990177
1991173
1992117
1993132
1994217
1995169
199679
1997810
1998499
1999412
2000461
2001308
2002330
2003106
2004454
2005148
2006239
2007220
2008143

Known problem areas

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

Engine

26% · 86 reports
FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Takata recall I got the recall letter in the mail Sunday night I took my car to the nalley Chevrolet dealership in union city Georgia they supposed had fixed the problem the next following day my wife had to go to work on the way dropping her off...

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-08-08

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. While the vehicle was parked, smoke and flames were seen coming from underneath the hood. There were no injuries. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-06

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. After parking the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. The contact was able to contain the fire. There were no police or fire reports filed. There were no injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-22

Engine and engine cooling

19% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling).

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-10-09

Electrical system

17% · 56 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While vehicle was parked in garage it caught on fire and burned garage and most of the house. Fire started in computer area. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-04-12

While driving the vehicle, the onstar communications system activated 4 times on it's own before consumer noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The onstar communications box is located in the left, rear corner of the vehicles trunk.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-24

Exterior lighting

10% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing switch and brake lights.

CRASH

Service brakes

8% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 330 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-10-22Engineering analysisClosed 2004-03-09 Engine compartment fires
  3. I
    2007-01-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-04-30 Loss of brake lamp illumination
  4. I
    2007-01-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-06-12 Engine compartment fire
  5. 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 →

  6. I
    2007-06-12Engineering analysisClosed 2008-05-01 Engine compartment fire
  7. R
    2008-04-28Engine and engine cooling08V118000 GM is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 Buick regal and Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8L supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2009-02-23Steering09E005000 Dorman is recalling 979 steering knuckles, dorman p/nos. 697-902 and 697-903, sold under dorman's "Oe solutions<sup>tm</sup>" Brand name, and napa p/nos. 7-8502 and 7-8503 which were sold for…

    Remedy: Dorman will notify owners and replace the defective steering knuckles free of charge and reimburse the repair facility or owner for labor. The recall began on February 23, 2009. Owners may contact…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2009-04-09Engine and engine cooling09V116000 General Motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 Buick regal, my 1998-2003 Chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the engineâ’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâ’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. 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 →

  11. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 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: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2016-02-19Engine and engine cooling15V701000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina and Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1997-2004 Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix, 2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, and 1998-2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo vehicles.

    Remedy: The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 86 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 56 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 08V118000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09E005000 · Steering
  • Recall 09V116000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V701000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
7 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.