Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 wrong lane and hit head on with another car.
I was parked at a shopping center. I started the car, put my foot on the brake pedal to shift into reverse and the brake pedal went to the floor. I checked under the car and it appeared to have leaked brake fluid from the brake line. Since I still had the parking brake and a little of the rear brakes, I limped the car to a garage. When I stepped on the pedal to stop, I had no brakes at all. Upon checking, the other brake line had burst also. I had it checked and confirmed by the mechanic that both brake lines had burst. I called the GM dealer and was told there was no recalls and that any repair would be at my expense. I called GM, explained what had happened and what was wrong and was told that there were no recalls and the car was out of warranty and that they would provide no assistance. I explained that this is extremely dangerous. …
I bought this car in November 2003, in April of 2004 I started to have problems with the brake making noises. The car went into the shop and they replaced the driver side caliper and replaced front brake pads. In June of 2004 the car went back in for the same brake noise the shop resurfaced my rotors and replaced a missing brake clip. In July the car went back into the shop for the same brake noise again, the shop replaces the brake pads again and resurfaced the rotors again. It is now October and the noise is still there! In July 2004 the car went back into the shop for a knocking noise coming from the front end. The strut mounts were replaced. Again in July the car went back in for the same front end noise. The shop replaced the steering rack which did not fix the problem so they put the old one back in. They then replaced the right front strut and lower control arm. …
A surprise storm hit on I-4 westbound in orlando, fl. I was driving at about 45 miles per hour. The roads got wet very quickly and traffic backed up fast. As I hit the brakes with force to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me, the ABS light came on as did the traction control light and the service vehicle soon light, the car seemed to have a power drainage/loss for a split second. At this moment, with how hard I hit the brakes, the car slid, the ABS system did not engage and I had to release the brakes in order to get some traction and without warning swerve into the driving lane to the immediate right of the lane I was in so not to hit the vehicle directly in front of me. I was able to avoid an accident but that still does not fix nor does is change the fact that something went wrong and a vital piece of equipment seized to function. …
I have had my car in the shop several times for problems and they can typically replicate the problem, but cannot fix it. I have had 3 brake jobs on my car, as well as the calipers rebuilt, and my brakes still do not work right. The ABS system fails constantly. I experience slides on dry surfaces even. I also have transmission, coolant, and fueling problems. I have had a fuel pump replaced finally, after the 3rd time of taking it in for not starting, 2 times prior there was nothing supposedly wrong. Also, I AM still getting only 125 miles on a tank of gas. They an reciprocate the problem but will not fix it. I also keep getting a low coolant and check engine message lights but they say nothing wrong. The power windows also drag and make marks on the window surfaces. They are very slow rolling up. …
Leaving work on December 19, 2007 I applied brakes for approaching traffic signal. Brakes seemed to lock without slowing down or stopping my vehicle. I tried three times applying increasing pressure and the car would not stop. Finally, after 4th attempt, brake seemed to give and slow/stop my vehicle. I was within inches of rear-ending vehicle in front of me at the traffic light. I took my vehicle to a mechanic and was told that they could not locate anything wrong. Brakes continue to malfunction particularly if my car is cold or not used for a period of hours. Now I have resorted to testing the brakes prior to driving. I AM concerned for my safety and my 16 year old daughter who has recently started driving the car. My 2002 Pontiac Grand AM was purchased new in April 2002 and only has approximately 45,000 miles. …
I purchased a new 2002 Grand AM, six months after purchase I brought car in for first time because of vibrations when braking at 50-60 MPH, dealer had to do some work on rotors, had less than 6,000 miles!!!. Brought car in again three months later with same complaint, told nothing wrong. Brought car in two more times to dealer with same complain, again told nothing wrong. Finally I brought car to auto shop and was told that rotors are gone, have less than 36,000 miles on car. Mechanic indicated that he has had a lot of these cars coming in because of very thin rotors. I do not understand how rotors could be so worn in less than 6,000 miles and then have them be completely gone at 36,000 miles. I feel there is something wrong with rotors to begin with
2002 Pontiac Grand AM. 62.000 miles, repairs so far as follows. 1. Front brakes replaced,rotors,pads,caliper insp,28,000 miles. 2. Front brakes replaced again, rotors turned few months later. 3. Intake manifold gaskets replaced. 4.tires replaced due to slipping on the wheel , dealer stated this is common and not unsafe! 5. Sterring rack and pinion replaced. 6. Fuel pump replaced. 7. Sterring alignment has always been an issue and car still pulls right. I will give the GM zone manager a oppritunity to buy back the car 23 jan 04. This car is unsafe to drive and a pain to own. There are several known issues with the Grand AM 107 TSB's alone and at least that many complaints, GM has a problem that needs attention asap.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond to braking attempts. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was found that the brake lines had failed. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,890. Updated 01/23/14 the consumer requested to cancel the complaint, because he was unable to edit it. He stated he would file a complaint online. Updated 01/23/14.. Updated 01-29-14
I have a 2002 Grand AM gt, and the ABS light started coming on, took to two diff repair shops (one was a midas) and both told me the right front bearings and ABS sensor had to be replaced, and prob the left on in next cpl months. Also took the car to a GM dealer, estimate of $475 for right bearing and sensor, and prob the left one in next few months. All 3 places told me that its a common problem in the Grand AM, aleros and some buicks (same front end I guess)....
Brake complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM, 10% of the model year's 395 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Pontiac Grand AM brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Grand AM brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 44,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.