Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Since we purchased our Pontiac Grand AM in April 2002 we have had several items fail that I feel should not have. The fuel pump and fuel relay? Failed at 6,000 miles, the window sash channels and relays have failed 3 times. Twice on the driver side and 1 time on the passenger side. The dash is peeling up at the base of the windshield close to the VIN# plate. The dome light bracket failed and the light no longer is on the interior roof. Cheap plastic bracket that will cost several hundred dollars to fix. The driver power seat has failed leaving the seat in the up position. The worst thing about all of this is that it has cost me several thousand dollars to have these items fixed and the car only has 41,000 miles on it.
Driver and passenger windows rubbing? (scratched) windows really scratched ever since I bought it and noticed alot of other cars like mine have the same scratches from opening and closing the automatic windows I spoke to a dealer rep before and they said it was the tinting they used that was too tight? But when my car was brand new and I started to roll up/down my windows it made the scratches, so I decided to hide the scratches by tinting my windows so you couldnt see it as much, but it really is visible. From me speaking with other Grand AM owners that I see that their windows look exactly like mine most of them don;t have tinting. And they look as bad as mine.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that the front brakes wore prematurely. In addition, the contact stated that the turn signals and the power window switch failed to activate when engaged. The contact also mentioned that water penetrated through the sunroof. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
2002 Pontiac grandam gt-1 has continuous grinding, rubbing, and popping sounds from the front steering. Also has uncontroled power steering where the car could go off the road. Dealerships can or will not try to find these serious defects, they say that it is the tires that is causing these defects.this is the second new gt-1 within the past three years with the same defects that I have owned.
While driving 55 MPH and proceeding to operate the automatic window in the down position on the driver side, it stopped operating. Two days later the same issue occurred on the passenger side window. The consumer obtained the replacement parts from the dealer and had her son make the repairs. Please provide any further information.
Windows for 2002 Pontiac Grand AM break the plastic window shield and drop into the door. Potentially cause accident due to loud noise and sudden increase in air in the car. Could be distracting enough to cause accident. There are several cases of this incident online and GM has been made aware and does nothing about it.
The window sash channels have broken on my 2002 Pontiac Grand AM. This is the component that holds the window glass in place. The car barely has passed 50,000 miles and the windows will no longer stay up. The Pontiac dealer will repair the piece for $150 each window.
I purchased a brand new Pontiac Grand AM gt1 in July 2002. Shortly after, I noticed that it was hard starting. Usually the third time started in one day, it would sound like it was turning over but nothing happened. I would shut it off and try again and it would work. Took it to the dealer where I purchased it, they kept it for 4 hours while I waited. Told me nothing was found. Immediately went to my car to start it and it did the same thing. Went back in, told the mechanic it just happened. They checked it again and came up with nothing. No repairs done. The fog lamps stay on when the car is off. At least once a week my neighbor calls me to tell me my lights are on. I have to start the car and toggle the switch until they go out. A few hours later they are back on and the switch is in the off position. When closing the windows, there is a scratching sound. …
I AM the original owner of a 2002 Pontiac Grand AM - four door vehicle. It currently has approximately 40,000 miles. All four tires leaked air and I needed to constantly to check and fill all four tires. They seemed to leak a random paces losing air at different rates. I have had multiple problems with this vehicle, including noise from the tires shortly after purchase. The dealership agreed to replace two of the tires per some service bulletin but once they were rotated, the noise started up again. Also, had problems with my windshield wipers remaining on when utilizing mist for up to 25 swipes. The wipers also stop in the middle of the windshield when using mist or the intermittent option. The electric door locks and window buttons only worked on occasion other than those on the drivers side. …
The windows on my 2002 Pontiac Grand AM se have numerous scratches on them from the windows going up and down. Several of them were replaced once but the problem continues to recur and now the dealer will not do anything else about it. They claim it is coming from dirt collecting in the weatherstripping. I feel that this is a defect in the particular type of window moulding on this model car. It allows dirt to collect in a lip that is not flat against the window and this in turn scratches the windows when they are used. They said it was a design problem and they will not correct it because they cannot put another moulding on the car. I AM very disappointed in the fact that my new car with less than 25,000 miles has this defect.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM, 6% of the model year's 395 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Pontiac Grand AM window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 18% 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.