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2002 Pontiac Grand AM Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Pontiac Grand AM has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Turn signal and hazard light intermittent failure.” Every Pontiac is now 15+ years old, which changes the maintenance question from 'what mileage?' to 'how old is it?' — hoses, belts, coolant, and brake fluid age out even on low-mile cars. The G6 uses GM's Oil Life System (change oil when the message appears, at most every 12 months) with Dex-Cool coolant and either the 2.4L Ecotec four or the 3.5/3.9L pushrod V6. Parts remain cheap and plentiful through GM's shared platforms — these cars are inexpensive to keep healthy if the age-based items aren't ignored.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM.

Reported to NHTSA

Turn signal and hazard light intermittent failure

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

47 NHTSA complaints · 2007-08 → 2018-11

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH AND TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT, THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10887418
“TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY FAIL TO OPERATE. SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK FINE AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON OR DRIVING CONDITION THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10621012
“I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT AND THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WILL RANDOMLY STOP WORKING. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ON 5/20/08”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10230380

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

PassLock security light and no-start condition

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

44 NHTSA complaints · 2007-05 → 2020-03

“WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR THE SECURITY LIGHT COMES ON KEEPING THE CAR FROM STARTING SO I HAVE TO TURN THE SWITCH TO THE ON POSTION AND WAIT 10-15 MINUTES TO GET IT TO START AND IT'S AN ON GOING THING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10726457
“THE CONTACT STATED THE SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE SECURITY LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10416477
“PASS LOCK SENSOR.WONT START DUE TO SECURITY LIGHT.HAVE TO WAIT 10 MIN UNTIL IT STOPS FLASHING TO TURN CAR ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10898347

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition switch failure and recall 14V400000 repairs

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

25 NHTSA complaints · 2007-06 → 2016-11

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER IN THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10778146
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10715014
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD REMAIN STUCK. IN ADDITION, THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND THE ENGINE WOULD REMAIN POWERED ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10706611

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intake manifold gasket leak and coolant overheating

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2008-02 → 2013-02

“MY COMPLAINT IS WITH THE LOWER MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET LEAKING. I HAVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10410791
“THE VEHICLE OVERHEATS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT GENERAL MOTORS INSTALLED PLASTIC GASKETS ON THESE VEHICLES AND RECOMMENDED DEX-COOL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10357088
“THE CONTACT STATED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10499223

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Window regulator clip breakage

VISIBILITY

7 NHTSA complaints · 2007-07 → 2015-02

“WINDOWS FOR 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM BREAK THE PLASTIC WINDOW SHIELD AND DROP INTO THE DOOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10295288
“WINDOW SASH AND REGULATOR CLIPS BREAK EASILY AND FREQUENTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10378348
“2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM WINDOW CLIPS BREAK THEY ARE PLASTIC CLIPS AND THEY BROKE AND ALL THE REPLACEMENT WINDOW THAT I LOOK UP TO BUY ALSO HAVE BROKEN CLIPS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10281521

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Turn signal clicking noise and steering column smoke

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

22 NHTSA complaints · 2007-06 → 2014-04

“ERRATIC TURN SIGNAL BEHAVIOR. WHEN TURNING THE SIGNAL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT IT WORKS BUT THEN WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF I CONTINUE TO HEAR THE CLICKING NOISE AS IF THE TURN SIGNAL IS STILL ON WHEN IT'S NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10218535
“WHEN I PUT ON THE TURN SIGNAL SMOKE WILL START COMING FROM UNDER THE PLASTIC COVER BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10228555
“WHEN THE TURN SIGNAL IS NOT IN USE THE CLICKING NOISE OF THE TURN SIGNAL CONTINUES TO SOUND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10211095

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain failure in 2.2L engine

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2008-04 → 2010-06

“ON MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED IN THE 2.2L ECOTEC ENGINE AT 75000 MILES. WHEN THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED THERE WAS NO WARNING AND THE CAR STALLED SUDDENLY AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10283890
“CAR WAS TAKEN TO 2 GARAGES AND FOUND TO HAVE A BROKEN TIMING CHAIN (NOT BELT)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10340696

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil Life System)

Every 5,000 mi

Change when the Oil Life System calls it, and at least every 12 months. On engines this age, many mechanics suggest a practical 5,000-mile ceiling — aging seals and PCV systems contaminate oil faster.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check tire date codes too — sidewall age (6+ years) retires tires on old cars before tread wear does.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and especially brake hoses and hard lines at every service — line corrosion is a real failure mode on 15-year-old northern cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. Decade-old fluid is the hidden cause of soft pedals and seized calipers on aging GM sedans.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid (4T45-E / 4T65-E)

Every 45,000 mi

Drain-and-fill every 45,000 miles with Dexron VI. On high-mile units that have never been serviced, prefer repeated drain-and-fills over a pressure flush.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium plugs at 100,000 miles on the G6's engines. Replace wires/boots on the pushrod V6 at the same time — they're brittle at this age.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

At this age, replace the belt AND tensioner as a pair on any evidence of cracking or noise — a weak tensioner eats new belts.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles — a cheap, 5-minute job on the G6.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement (Dex-Cool)

Every 100,000 mi

Dex-Cool is rated 5 years / 150,000 miles — but on cars this old the interval is effectively 'every 5 years.' Check for intake and water-pump seepage while it's drained; use Dex-Cool only, never mixed with green coolant.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator annually. Parasitic drains from aging body modules are common on this era of GM — a healthy battery masks them until it doesn't.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

357 crashes 1990–2024

How the 357 occupant deaths break down

255

driver deaths

101

passenger deaths

1

not recorded by seat

357

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

22

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM reflects Pontiac's published service intervals and the GM Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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