2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Complaint Log

THIS CAR HAS DIED SEVERAL TIMES, AND WHEN IT DOES, ALL OF THE POWER EQUIPMENT FAILS, AND I CAN'T TURN THE WHEEL OR STOP THE VEHICLE VERY QUICKLY, AND I RECENTLY HAD A SERIUOS ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS FACTOR. *AK

I'M THE OWNER OF A 2002 GRAND AM SE. I HEARD ABOUT THE GOVT INVESTIGATING SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONS AND I WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. MY CAR CONTINUES TO MAKE THIS ANNOYING TURN SIGNAL CLICKING SOUND ON IT'S OWN. I CANT DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT. SOMETIMES IT DOES IT AND SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT. PLEASE HELP. IF YOU NEED ANY MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT BECAUSE I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH ONLY 37,000 MILES ON IT. *NM

WHEN THE WIPERS WERE TURNED OFF THE BLADES WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED IN LESS THAN THREE WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

WHILE PARKING IN A PARKING SPACE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, COLLIDED AND SUBMERGED COMPLETELY INTO A POND. DRIVER WAS RESCUED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.*AK

CAR RIDE ROUGH. LOWER ARM BUSHING GO BAD. PONTIAC DEALER TRIED TO PUSH OFF PROBLEM ON TIRES. CHEVY DEALER (GM) FOUND PROBLEM. REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY. THREE MONTH TO FIND PROBLEM PONTIAC DEALER HAD CAR TWICE. *LA

DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED OPERATING. DEALER WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLE BUT DID NOT INFORM THE CONSUMER OF THE PARTS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. DEALER DID NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE BODY OF MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX SEEMS TO BE SEPARATING AT THE SEAM WHERE THE QUARTER PANEL AND THE ROOF ADJOIN ON BOTH SIDES. ON THE LEFT SIDE(DRIVERS) THE QUARTER PANEL IS BUCKLED BELOW THE WINDOW FOR NO APPARENT REASON.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY ABS BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE TWICE, AND PROBLEM STILL RECURRING. *AK

ACCORDING TO MANY SOURCES (ONLINE INTERNET AUTO FORUMS, MECHANICS, ETC), THE 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX, AND POSSIBLY OTHER YEARS, HAVE HEADLAMPS THAT ARE PRONE TO FAILURE. THIS FAILURE MOSTLY HAS TO DO WITH THE SEALANT OR THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ITSELF WHICH CRACKS. THIS CAUSES A LEAK FOR AIR, MOISTURE, AND OTHER THINGS TO ENTER THE HEADLAMP AND DRASTICALLY FOG UP THE INSIDE. AS A RESULT, THIS CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN VIEW DISTANCE AT NIGHT, AS THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS ARE BLOCKED BY THIS FOG AND MOISTURE ON THE INSIDE OF THE HEADLAMPS. THIS COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE DRIVER HAS MINIMAL VIEWING DISTANCE AT NIGHT FOR OTHER CARS, PEDESTRIANS, OR OBJECTS. MIND YOU, THIS IS JUST FOR THE FRONT HEADLAMPS AND NOT THE CORNER LENSES. FURTHERMORE, THERE IS NO EASY FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BESIDES PURCHASING NEW FRONT HEADLAMPS FOR EACH SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH PUTS THE PRICE TAG ABOVE $250, NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION COSTS. AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, THIS APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM AS MECHANICS THEMSELVES HAVE SAID THAT IS FAIRLY NORMAL FOR THIS CAR AND MANY OTHER PONTIAC GRAND PRIX OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS PROBLEM AS WELL. I HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE SO THAT A RECALL COULD BE IN ORDER TO FIX THIS FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE DRASTIC CONSEQUENCES FOR DRIVERS AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD AT NIGHT. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING TRANSMISSION WILL NOT PULL OVER. *AK

I DRIVE A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX GT. THIS CAR COMES EQUIPPED WITH A PASS-THROUGH FROM THE BACK SEAT TO THE TRUNK. IT LOCKS FROM THE INSIDE. WHEN YOU STOP HARD, TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, OR BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC, ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COME CRASHING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THE PASS-THROUGH LOCK IS STILL IN THE "LOCKED" POSITION AND ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK END UP BEING PROJECTED INTO THE BACK SEAT, AND I FEAR, IF THE STOP IS HARD ENOUGH, THAT THE ITEMS IN THE TRUNK MIGHT ACTUALLY END UP IN THE FRONT SEAT, EITHER HITTING THE DRIVER, OR HITTING THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB. THIS CAN BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE I ALMOST HAD A WRECK WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON. IF REAR-ENDED OR BRAKING HARD, THIS HAPPENS, ITEMS IN THE TRUNK CAN DO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER, OR COULD ACTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE PASS-THROUGH FAILS. THE LOCK IS MADE OF CHEAP METAL THAT BENDS AND IT LOCKS INTO A CHEAP PLASTIC GROOVE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THEY ARE ALL MADE THE SAME WAY AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO AN OCCUPANT OF THE CAR, OR COULD EVEN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN (IT SCARED ME TO DEATH WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT MADE A LOUD CRASHING SOUND). I CARRY A BOWLING BALL IN MY TRUNK. THE LAST THING I NEED IS A 16 POUND BOWLING BALL TO COME CRASHING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR. PONTIAC (GM) NEEDS TO RE-ENGINEER THIS AND MAKE IT SAFER FOR DRIVERS. *NLM

THE ROTORS WARPED......FRONT & BACK....THE DEALERSHIP TURNED THEM AND TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND THAT THEY ARE COVERED FOR ONLY 14000 MILES...AND THAT IT'S JUST THE WAY THEY ARE MADE ANYMORE (CHEAP)...AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT..I READ A LOT OF LETTERS ON THE SAME PROBLEM FOR 2002 GRAND AM'S...AND OTHER GM & CHRYSLER CARS & VANS..... I WENT THRU THE SAME THING WITH MY 1995 DODGE INTREPID....35000 MILES ON IT & THE ROTORS WERE TURNED ONCE & REPLACED 3 TIMES AT MY EXPENSE... WHAT IS GOING ON ?....DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE?

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN ON A WET SURFACE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE AND THE PEDAL HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR. AFTER 5 TO 10 SECONDS, THE BRAKES ENGAGED AND A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD ALONG WITH PULSATION WHILE COMING TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH AN SUV IN FRONT. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAD BROKE DURING THE ACCIDENT. *SCC *JB

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND THE IGNITION FROZE UP SO I COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT THIS ONE DAY.I PLAYED WITH THE KEY AND TRIED TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER AND IT WAS FROZEN ALONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. I LEFT THE CAR ALONE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR CAME OUT AND THE KEY CAME OUT AND EVERYTHING WORKED GOOD. OVER THE YEARS THIS HAPPENED ALOT AND FINALLY I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND ONE GUY SAID THERE IS A HOLE BY THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT YOU CAN PUT A PENCIL IN VERY CAREFULLY AND IF YOU MOVE IT AROUND IT WILL RELEASE THE TUMBLER AND KEY. I DID THAT AND PUT A PENCIL IN THERE AND BROKE IT OFF AND IT HAS WORKED EVERY TIME BUT THE STEERING WHEEL DON'T LOCK AND YOU CAN TAKE THE KEY OUT WHILE DRIVING OR ANY TIME. I TALKED TO GM DEALERS OVER THE YEARS AND THEY WANTED TOO MUCH MONEY TO PUT A NEW IGNITION SWITCH IN$500-TO $600 . I COULD NOT AFFORD IT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GRAND PRIX PONTIACS LIKE MY YEAR AND MAKE ON THE INTERNET THAT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW THIS RECALL CONVENIENTLY MISSES THE 2002 GRAND PRIX PONTIAC. I'M JUST LUCKY I DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING AND I DON'T KNOW IF MY AIR BAGS WORK OR NOT. *TR

I HAVE A BURGUNDY 2002 GRAND PRIX. WHENEVER I TURN IT ON, IT HAS AN EXTENDED CRANK. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS STRUGGLING TO TURN ON. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND AM SCHEDULED TO TAKE IT IN AGAIN A FOURTH TIME. THE LAST TIME I WAS THERE THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL OF THE 2002 MODELS HAD AN EXTENDED CRANK AND THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY NOTHING THAT COULD FIX IT. *JB

SUSPENSION - WHEEL BEARING FAILURE - REPLACED WHEEL HUB TRANSMISSION - CAR TRYING TO GO INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE AT SAME TIME. GEAR IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACED TRANSMISSION PAINT - SEVERAL AREAS ON CAR PAINT COMING OFF AND RUSTING. WET SANDED SOME AREAS AND BRUSH TOUCHED UP LEAVING GLOBS OF PAINT IN THESE AREAS. EFFORTS TO REMOVE ETCHING RESIDUE ON TRUNK RESULTED IN DEALER PAINT DEPT. SCRATCHING TRUNK AND SPOILER. I NOTIFIED MANAGER. ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE SCRATCHES WERE UNSUCCESSFUL CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH SCRATCHES. PAINT ON HOOD COMING OFF AND RUST STARTING. WERE SUPPOSED TO REPAIR BUT FAILED TO DO SO. INFORMED PAINT MANAGER I WAS DISSATISFIED BUT HIS HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE OF USED CAR MANAGER. I INFORMED THEM I WOULD BE CONTACTING GM. THE REPLY WAS DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO. DEALERSHIP IS TWIN CITY IN PORT ARTHUR, TX

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONSUMER. *JB

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES FAILED AND A RESULT THE VEHICLE DIPPED DOWN IN THE FROM AND CRASH UNDER A TRUCKS REAR CRASH BAR. ON IMPACT THE DRIVER HIT HIS CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HIM PROPERLY NOR DID EITHER OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK UNTIL IT HAD ALREADY COME OUT ABOUT 1 1/2 FEET. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM AND CHEST TRAUMA. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVER HAND INJURIES AND CHEST TRAUMA. THE CONSUMER HAD ALL FOUR SEAT BELTS REPLACED. *AK *NM

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT WINDOW WOULD FALL OFF THE TRACK CAUSING A LOUD NOISE AND A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

ORIGINAL TIRES ON A PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2002, P22560R16. TREAD SEPARATION ON DRIVER REAR TIRE. *MR CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY GOODYEAR THAT TREAD SEPARATION WAS CAUSED BY ROAD DAMAGE.*JB

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUOUSLY STAY ON. CONTACTED DEALER PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

HEADLIGHT AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASH INTERMITTENTLY, APPROXIMATLEY EVERY 2 SECONDS. HAD IT LOOKED AT TWICE BY AW GOLDEN PONTIAC IN READING PA AND WAS TOLD MY CAR "WAS KNOWN TO DO THAT, AND IT CAN'T BE FIXED." ALSO, I CAN LEAVE IT THERE "FOR THE MECHANIC TO DRIVE IT HOME AT NIGHT, SO HE CAN SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT." MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM EVERYTIME I DRIVE AT NIGHT, MAYBE EVERY OTHER NIGHT, BUT IT IS NO-STOP WHEN IT STARTS. DRIVERS IN FRONT OF ME HIT THEIR BRAKES, BECAUSE THEY THINK I'M FLASHING THEM. I CAN SEE THIS CAUSING A PROBLEM IF I HAVE TO DEAL WITH A PERSON HAVING ROAD RAGE.*AK

PAINT IS DEFECTIVE. THE CAR LOOKED OLD AFTER ONLY 1 MONTH. I COMPLAINED AND NOTHING WAS DONE.

COMPLETE FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. FIRST OCCURRENCE CAUSED COMPLETE LOCK-UP OF IGNITION, STEERING, TRANSMISSION, AND FUEL SYSTEMS. (APRIL, 2002) SECOND FAILURE CAUSED FAILURE TO START, AND RESETTING OF ALL ELECTRONICS. DEALER HAS ATTRIBUTED TO BATTERY FAILURE AND REPLACED SAME. AM CONCERNED THAT A SYSTEM FAILURE WILL OCCUR DURING VEHICLE OPERATION CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. THAT COULD RESULT IN A SEVERE CRASH.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ONSTAR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ACTIVATED 4 TIMES ON IT'S OWN BEFORE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE ONSTAR COMMUNICATIONS BOX IS LOCATED IN THE LEFT, REAR CORNER OF THE VEHICLES TRUNK. *AK VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED, HOWEVER VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. CONSUMER HAS REPEATEDLY CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND SERVICE MANAGER AS TO WHEN THE REPAIRS WOULD COMMENCE, BUT CONSUMER HAS YET TO RECEIVE A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE. *TT

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, AND MAKING A LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC,THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, ALL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS CONTINUED TO OPERATE, THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX MORE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES, AND COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ALTERNATOR MAKES A LOUD HUMMING NOISE THROUGH THE RADIO, THERE IS A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE LEFT WHEEL /SUSPENSION AREA, AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE REAR INTERIOR OF THE DOOR PANEL, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS A RIPPLE IN THE LEATHER.*SLC

260 MILES ON ODOMETER - SEVERE SLOSHING NOISE IN FUEL TANK - NOT NOTICEABLE ON OTHER GRAND PRIX'S - AT 233 MILES, FITTING ON TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FUNCTION. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DIAGNOSIS - IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF FITTING.*AK

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. *TR

CONSUMER 2002 PONTIAC INTAKE PLASTIC GASKET LEAKED. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER HER VEHICLE WAS LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE. *JB

THE REAR BRAKES ON THE CONSUMER'S 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND PITTED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT PASS NY STATE INSPECTION. *NM *JB

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS CONTINUALLY FAIL. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER MADE THE REPAIRS. SECOND TIME CONSUMER WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. *KB

2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX HAS A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAUSE OF THE PLASTIC PARTS. *NJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REBUILT AS WELL, DUE TO THE PLASTIC PARTS THAT WERE USED. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BECAME CLOGGED AND CAUSED THE UPPER INTAKE TO WARP. *JB

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED GARAGE AND MOST OF THE HOUSE. FIRE STARTED IN COMPUTER AREA. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND FELT A PULLING AND WITH OUT STEERING, HEARD A FLAPPING NOISE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE WITH NO SIDES COMING APART/NOT COMPLETELY FLAT. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS TIRE IS DEFECTIVE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS SENT TO GOODYEAR, WHERE THEY SAID THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO ROAD DAMAGE, BUT THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND DOESN'T RECALL HITTING ANYTHING. (CAUSED A 1-2 INCH SLIT IN THE TREAD) TIRE SIZE#P2256R16 *SCC

HEADLIGHT AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THAT FLASHING HEADLIGHTS AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE COMMON AND CANNOT BE FIXED. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NEW PA EMISSIONS AND WON'T BE FIXED. *TT

WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A WEIRD NOISE AND IT FELT LIKE THE REAR BRAKE WERE PULLING. THE CONSUMER TOOK TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR PADS AND ROTORS. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB

THE HEAD LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF AS IF THEY WERE BEING TURNED ON AND OFF. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB