Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, she noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that the coolant and engine oil was low. The contact refilled the fluids and the vehicle was restarted. In addition, the contact stated that when the vehicle was started, smoke emitted from the vehicle intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was leaking coolant and engine oil and the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also mentioned that the ignition locked and the ignition key failed to be removed from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving through an intersection at an unknown speed, another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle on the front driver side. The air bags failed to deploy. Prior to the crash, the ignition switch failed. The contact sustained shoulder and head injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 145,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 09/09/15 updated 12/11/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Approximately ten minutes after the vehicle was parked, it caught fire. The contact did not disclose who extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to an unknown location. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire without warning. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
The night of the incident I was driving to my brother's house when I pulled over lifted the hood it burst into flames
Pulled into the garage and turned the car off. The ignition switch turned enough to turn the car off but not far enough to remove the key. Tried jiggling the key back and forth and it still would not come out. Left key in ignition and pushed the trunk release button on the key fob, the trunk opened and then the car tried to start itself without anything turning the key. Then smoke started coming out from behind the steering wheel. The car was stuck in park and could not get into neutral to push out of garage. I believe finally a fuse popped. I opened the hood and disconnected the battery and the smoke stopped. I called the dealer to check and see if there was a recall that I missed but they told me there were no recalls relating to the ignition. I took some of the plastic off under the steering wheel and found that about half of the ignition wiring harness was burned up and melted.
The multi function switch has malfunctioned this is a common occurrence on these cars. The malfunction of this switch has meant that the brake lights do not work causing someone to run into the back of my car as I was slowing in traffic. The shift lever lock will not engage leaving the keys unable to be removed and the shifter can be moved out of park without the brake pedal being pressed. The ignition switch and harness malfunction causing the fan to not work in anything but 5. Look at the message boards all three a common occurrence and worse GM knows of these problems and have refused to address them.
Ii had a no engine crank-no dashboard lights, intermintent start. Cwas parked nad not moving. The problem I caused by the the ignition switch and pass key system. GM had this problem in 2004 on the colbolt. 6deaths due to loss of enginepower, steering and power brakes. I will not drive this car,till iget it repaired. I am the origional owner with 40000 miles use.
10/31/05 car cleaned at car wash. 11/01/05 noticed a window cleaner smell, while driving coming through the air vents for a minute. 11/12/05, 12:45 p.m. Drove the car 6 minutes to a hair salon. 1:45 p.m. Started for home, parked at convenience store, left car running with my permanently disabled husband inside. Proceeded home noticed the window cleaner smell again. 1:58 p.m. Parked in condominium parking lot. 2:20 p.m. Our neighbor told me our car is on fire. There were flames 10' high coming off the front of my car. A loud explosion occurred and the police and firemen were shouting to get back down the hill and get the children all the way down the hill! I told the officer that I was the owner of the burning car. Our neighbor told me her Toyota was parked on the right of mine and it was on fire too. …
I was driving the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp on a highway with 45-55 MPH speed limit for approx. 45 min. The car shut off 15 sec. After I heard the engine backfire. The speedometer went from 0 all the way up, and back to 0. I pulled into the nearest parking lot and popped the hood. I discovered a fire near the intake and the lower right side of the valve cover. The car was towed to a Pontiac dealer. They replaced the fuel injectors, the lower intake, valve cover, spark plug wires, electrical harness and much motor the cost was approx. $5000. After saying it would take 2 weeks, it took the shop 6 or 7 weeks to fix, so my car rental bill was thousands more than insurance would cover the car wasn't nearly as responsive and had trouble going up even the smallest inclines. Also, the shift-park interlink stopped working so the car would not shift out of park after the fire. …
NHTSA investigations
Loss of brake lamp illumination
The agency's analysis of GM's complaint and warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to other vehicle brake lamp investigations, indicated a low failure history for the subject vehicles.this investigation included a review and analysis of data for relevant brake lamp malfunctions that require replacement of the multifunction switch (mfs)…
Electrical complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, 17% of the model year's 330 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, though it has 3 recalls 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 Prix electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 11 fires and 4 injuries to electrical system 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.