Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact attempted to make a turn, but the rear driver side turn signal indicator did not work. The contact replaced the rear tail light bulbs. When the hazard button was depressed, the turn signal indicator started to work again. The contact stated that the failure occurred for approximately six months. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the front and rear turn signal lamps failed to operate. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 03/18/16 the consumer stated the signal switch was replaced. Updated 03/22/16.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the turn signals and the hazard lights failed. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. 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. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. While operating the turn signal either right or left, the signal light failed to illuminate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
During my daily drive to and from work my turn signal and hazard lights started to work intermittently on my 2002 Pontiac Grand AM gt. One minute the turn signal would work great and the next second it would stop. This occurred infrequently at first, but got progressively worse. Two weeks after the problem started, the turn signal and hazard lights stopped working altogether. Turn signals are an essential part of driving to safely indicate to other drivers that you need to enter another lane or are making a specific turn. Without my blinkers I almost got into several wrecks because I needed to switch lanes, but was unable to indicate this to other drivers during heavy traffic times. If I had broken down I wouldn't have my hazard lights to indicate to other drivers that I was stranded. …
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. The indicator arrows inside the car were not going off when I tried to signal. Luckily I was able to pull over and exam the exterior lights only to find that no signal lights outside my car worked either. This problem now occurs every couple of days and I find it very dangerous on busy roads. I feel it could lead to a preventable traffic accident. Through research I have found that this is a common complaint from fellow Pontiac owners. I also found that a recall investigation was filed back in sept. Of 2005 (#pe05055) but was closed in jan. Of 2006 with no recalls being issued. I have contacted my mechanic and it is going to cost me around $300 to fix this. …
I have been having trouble with my turn signals on my 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. When I use my signals, after it clicks off, it still clicks and on 2 occasions there was smoke that came out of my steering wheel. My husband and I have brought the car to the dealership on a separate occasion, and after explaining what was wrong with the car (that is still under GM warranty) they told us that we still had to pay for a diagnostic test. I know of at least 3 other people with the same year and model car as I and they have had the same problem. I was informed from my mechanic that if the wiring work is not done soon, there will most definitely be a fire. I don't feel that I as a consumer and with it still being under warranty, should have to pay out of my pocket for repairs that are clearly the manufacturer's fault. …
My 2002 Grand AM has a clicking sound coming from the dashboard. I took it to greenfield Pontiac after hearing about a service bulletin. They told me the bulletin did not cover the problem I had and that since it did not create a safety hazard, it was not covered. The cost to me would be about $300 for a new 'multifunction switch' which is the blinker/directional arm. My turn signals do function properly when I need to use them, and as far as I know the lights are not actually flashing. The clicking is not constant, or everyday, but when it gets going, sometimes it does not stop for 10 to 20 minutes. I think I'm going deaf from turning the radio up so I don't have to hear the clicking. I've had several other bad experiences with this vehicle that were not covered (I.e. Timing went at 40,000 mi--big bill!). I will never buy another GM product--they do not stand behind their vehicles!
I bought my 2002 Grand AM about a year ago. About a week after I bought it, the turn signals made a buzzing noise coming from behind the radio it seems. Sometimes the signals work correctly. Other times they blink too fast, too slow, make a buzzing noise with no blinking or they buzz and blink. This is highly annoying. I have already gotten a ticket for failing to use my turn signal. It just buzzed with no blinking and when I went to prove it to the officer that there was a problem with them, it worked perfectly fine! How convenient! Also, sometimes when I go to start my car it wont turn over or crank. I've noticed the security light comes on around the time this happens. I have to leave my key on the on position for 15 mins and then it will start. From the research I've done this is a pass lock security feature which shuts down the fuel system.
NHTSA investigations
Turn signal failures
In December 2004, GM issued a special policy for my 1999-2000 alero, grand am and malibu vehicles not covered under recall 03V327. The policy covered turn signal/hazard flasher failure for a period of 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurred first) to provide a no cost replacement of the hazard switch.
Headlight complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 99 complaints about the lights of the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM, 25% of the model year's 395 complaints. The component named most often is turn signal (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Pontiac Grand AM headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
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.