2002 Pontiac Grand AM: common problems

Owners of the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM filed 395 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and exterior lighting. Details by component below, with sources.

Key figures

Owner complaints: 395
involving a crash: 22

What fails most often

1 Electrical system 37% of all complaints
2 Exterior lighting 25% of all complaints
3 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
4 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
5 Visibility 6% of all complaints
6 Steering 6% of all complaints
7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
8 Powertrain 3% of all complaints

Circle size and colour show each component’s share of NHTSA complaints. Schematic only, not a drawing of the exact model.

Electrical system: 148 complaints (37% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Exterior lighting: 97 complaints (25% of all).
Engine and cooling: 54 complaints (14% of all).
Service brakes: 39 complaints (10% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Visibility: 23 complaints (6% of all).

Engines and transmissions

US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.

2.2 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 4 complaints
3.4 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 4 complaints
automatic, 4-speed
manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints

Drive: FWD

Symptoms owners describe

How many of the 395 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).

won't start57 · 14%
windows, sunroof31 · 8%
stalls while driving29 · 7%
warning lights, check engine29 · 7%
fuel system, fuel smell20 · 5%
knocking, grinding or other noise17 · 4%
smoke, burning smell, fire17 · 4%
steering or power steering problems14 · 4%
brake failure9 · 2%
infotainment or screen glitches9 · 2%

Components owners complain about

Component	Owner complaints	involving a crash
Electrical system	148	3
Exterior lighting	97	0
Engine and cooling	54	0
Service brakes	39	3
Visibility	23	0
Steering	22	6
Air bags	19	12
Powertrain	13	0
Tires	12	0
Engine	11	2
Equipment	11	0
Suspension	10	1
Fuel system	9	0
Structure	8	1

What owners report

Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.

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 warning lights illuminated.
Electrical system · crash · 2015-04-24 · NHTSA complaint #10712616
While making a right turn at approximately 35 mph, the contact's vehicle stalled without warning. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained femur and kneecap fractures and whiplash injuries that required medical attention.
Electrical system · crash · 2015-03-20 · NHTSA complaint #10700671
The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Steering · crash · 2014-10-30 · NHTSA complaint #10651380
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.
Electrical system · crash · 2014-04-01 · NHTSA complaint #10576503
2002 potiac grand am crashed into side of 1985 buick lasabre 4 door at 30 m p h and the air bags did not deploy. The full extent of injuries have not been determined . 1. Positive diagnoses is cervical injury hyperextensionflexion 2. Knees mri scheduled
Air bags · crash · 2005-07-08 · NHTSA complaint #10128110
While driving at 5 mph the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration and crashed into a tree. As a result there was damage to the front of the vehicle. The dealer was notified. The incident occurred as the consumer pulled out of the parking space.
Vehicle speed control · crash · 2003-08-22 · NHTSA complaint #10034340
Neither air bag came out and I had my seat belt on. I can't remember the wreck or what cause me to lose control of my car. Fight for life had to fly me out and my jaw was completely shattered. I also had no bruising or injuries from my seat belt. I don't believe my seat belt restrained me either.
Air bags · crash · 2003-05-25 · NHTSA complaint #10019264
I was making a left hand turn into a parking space and my power steering went out causing me to hit the car next to me. My car has been in the shop at least 4 times to try to get the problem fixed with the power steering and they say there is no problem.
Steering · crash · 2003-04-25 · NHTSA complaint #10016489

When owners complained

NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.

200224
200331
200442
200538
200642
200741
200828
200920
201024
201110
20127
20139
201438
201520
201610
20172
20184
20194
20201

Comparison

By complaint count this model year ranks 988 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 3% most complained about).

On average one model year of the Grand AM has 233 complaints (24 years in the data). This year has 395, above average.

What to check before buying

Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.

Questions and answers

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM?

Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, exterior lighting, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 395. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: won't start (14%), windows, sunroof (8%), stalls while driving (7%).

How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM?

NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.

Should I buy a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM from a US auction?

Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.

Other 2002 models

Read also

Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.