RoadVitals

2002 Pontiac Grand Am Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
97
Latest Nov 26, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
25%
of 395 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Pontiac Grand Am submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 97 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

The 25 most recent of 97, in the owner's own words

ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 26, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11153694
Incident
Nov 25, 2018
Mileage
130,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 22, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10956229
Incident
Feb 14, 2017
Mileage
111,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 5, 2017

THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL WENT OUT I HAVE REPLACED ALL BULBS AND NOTHING THE HEADLIGHTS AUTO DOSENT WORK MOST OF THE TIME THE TURN SIGNAL STOPPED WORKING THRDAY AFTERBI BOUGHT THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
10949638
Incident
Oct 26, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 21, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10887418
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Mileage
62,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 1, 2015

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*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIGNAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10779127
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 13, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10672089
Incident
Aug 4, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2014

WHEN I ASKED A SERVICE MANAGER AT SULLIVAN PARKHILL GM DEALERSHIP IN CHAMPAIGN, IL. HE STATED THAT GM HAS HAD NO SUCH AGREEMENT REGARDING NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE05055 AND IF I WANT THAT COMPONENT REPAIRED IT WOULD BE ON A "TIME AND MATERIALS" PROCEDURE. DO I HAVE ANY OTHER RECOURSE REGARDING NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05055 CORDIALLY, [XXX] NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : N/A VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): CHEVROLET / MALIBU 2002 OLDSMOBILE / ALERO 2002 PONTIAC / GRAND AM 2002 MANUFACTURER(S) : GENERAL MOTORS LLC COMPONENT(S) : EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED : SEPTEMBER 27, 2005 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED : JANUARY 13, 2006 SUMMARY: 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. GM SENT LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING DECEMBER 30, 2004. IN JANUARY 2006, GM WILL UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO INCLUDE MY 2002 ALERO, GRAND AM AND MALIBU VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V-327. THE POLICY COVERS TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES (WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST) TO PROVIDE A NO COST REPLACEMENT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH. GM WILL SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS STARTING LATE APRIL 2006. THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FUTURE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10626761
Incident
Aug 20, 2014
Mileage
124,392 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Aug 20, 2014

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS: BUT RIGHT NOW I CAN TURN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WILL GIVE THE SOUND OF STARTING UP BUT WILL NOT. I HAD THE FOLLOWING ITEMS CHECKED: FUEL PUMP OPERATION: PRESSURES ARE GOOD INJECTOR PULSE - ENGINE HAS SPARK BODY CONTROL MODULE: B2965 - KEY IGNITION FAULT RECOMMENDED TO SEE DEALER FOR POSSIBLE RECALL AND OR IGNITION DIAGNOSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626567
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
87,202 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 13, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT RECOGNIZED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

NHTSA ID
10622136
Incident
Aug 6, 2014
Mileage
93,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 8, 2014

TURN SIGNALS RANDOMLY FAIL TO OPERATE. SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNALS WILL WORK FINE AND FOR NO APPARENT REASON OR DRIVING CONDITION THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK. AN "ON-LINE" SEARCH FOR POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THE FAILURE REVEALED MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM AND THE REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE HAZARD SIGNAL WARNING SWITCH. I FEEL GIVEN THE LIFE/SAFETY SERIOUSNESS OF TURN SIGNAL FAILURE IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS THAT THIS MODEL OF GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND THE ISSUE REPAIRED. I HAVE NOTICE IN MY COMMUNITY THE CONSUMERS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE YOUNG ADULTS THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY CHALLENGED AND PURCHASING THEIR FIRST VEHICLE AND NOT NECESSARILY SAFETY CONSCIOUS OR AWARE OF THE RAMIFICATIONS OF FAULTY TURN SIGNALS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621012
Incident
Aug 17, 2013
Mileage
117,210 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 26, 2014

I BOUGHT A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM AND LATELY THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD LIGHTS WORK WHENEVER THEY WANT. I JUST STARTED EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THIS WEBSITE TO SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BACK ON THE PROBLEM BUT IT HAS SINCE CLOSED. I WAS WANTING TO KNOW IF I CAN GET ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I YOU CAN HELP PLEASE LET ME KNOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10616460
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
134,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 28, 2014

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. *JS

NHTSA ID
10585229
Incident
Apr 4, 2013
Mileage
140,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 15, 2014

TURN SIGNALS STARTED NOT WORKING SOME TIME . TURN SIGNALS NOW DO NOT WORK AT ALL. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THERE ARE SEVERAL ONLINE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'VE REPLACED THE HAZARD LIGHT SWITCH AS RECOMMENDED BY EVERYONE. HAZARDS WORK STILL NO SIGNAL. TALKING WITH PONTIAC THEY ARE NO HELP WITH THIS ISSUE OTHER THAN TO SAY THEY HAD A RECALL UP TO 2001 NOTHING FURTHER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN TO SAY THE LEAST. NOT TO MENTION A POSSIBLE TICKET FROM LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO AND ADDRESS THOSE ISSUE. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10572532
Incident
Jan 15, 2014
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 8, 2014

I OWN A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. MY BLINKER ONLY WORKS SOME TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUSES BUT IT HAS NOT CHANGED ANYTHING. AS I TRIED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE ONLINE FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF POSTINGS BY PEOPLE WITH PONTIAC GRAND SAM'S WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WAS ALSO SURPRISED TO SEE THERE WAS NOT YET A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AS WERE OTHER OWNERS AS I READ THERE COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I DID NOT PURCHASE MY VEHICLE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A RISK OF AN ACCIDENT OR GETTING A TICKET. PLEASE THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10567959
Incident
Feb 22, 2014
Mileage
235,107 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 16, 2014

IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, GM WAS TO UPDATE THE SPECIAL POLICY TO COVER VEHICLES NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 03V327, FOR A NO COST REPLACEMENT. LETTERS TO OWNERS WERE SUPPOSED TO GO OUT JUNE 2006. AFTER CONTACTING A LOCAL GM/PONTIAC DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH/TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD SWITCH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY SPECIAL POLICY OR RECALL. HOWEVER, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH IS NOT THE MAIN PROBLEM, IT IS THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. EVEN IF THEY HAD REPLACED A HAZARD SWITCH IT WOULD NOT HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, WHICH IS CONTAMINATED GREASE THAT HAD BRIDGED THE CONTACTS OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY GM/PONTIAC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10564543
Incident
Nov 2, 2012
Mileage
99,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 28, 2013

TURN SIGNALS STARTED TO MAKE CLICKING NOISE AFTER THE TURN HAD BEEN COMPLETED AND LIGHT HAD ALREADY STOPPED BLINKING. SOON AFTER THE CLICKING NOISE WOULD START INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER OR NOT THE TURN SIGNAL HAD BEEN USED. NOW THE LIGHTS ARE NOT FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TURN SIGNAL IS TURNED ON. *TT

NHTSA ID
10537818
Incident
May 14, 2013
Mileage
130,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 31, 2013

I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE TURN SIGNALS, I CANT GET THE TURN SIGNALS OR EMERGENCY FLASHER TO WORK HALF THE TIME, I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS. NOT SURE WHAT'S UP BUT THIS NEEDS FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532953
Incident
Jul 31, 2013
Mileage
114,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,600. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,200.

NHTSA ID
10507537
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
94,600 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 16, 2012

I LIVE IN TIDEWATER VIRGINIA. VERY BUSY HIGHWAYS. I HAD JUST LEFT MY HOME. FIRST STOP SIGN AT THE END OF MY STREET. INDICATED A RIGHT TURN AND NO BLINKER CAME ON. THROUGH MY ENTIRE TRIP NO BLINKERS CAME ON. VERY SCARY. IT DOES WORK WHEN IT WANTS TO,BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN. LATELY IT HAS GOTTEN MUCH MORE FREQUENT. I POUND ABOVE MY RADIO, WHICH IS WERE THE RELAY/SWITCH IS LOCATED I CAN USUALLY GET IT TO WORK. STILL AFTER LEARNING OF THIS INFO. IT DISTURBS ME VERY MUCH.

NHTSA ID
10458736
Incident
Aug 6, 2011
Mileage
99,467 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 11, 2012

IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE05055 (RECALL 03V327), TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SWITCH POLICY, I HAD MY CAR TAKEN IN AND LOOKED AT FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THEY SWITCH OUT A MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT UNDER THE RECALL 03V327. THE DEALER SAID THAT IT IS THE HAZARD SWITCH THAT IS COVERED AND NOT THE MULTI-FUNCTION/TURN SIGNAL SWITCH. HOWEVER, AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE HAZARD SWITCH IS NOT THE MAIN PROBLEM, IT IS THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. EVEN IF THEY HAD REPLACED A HAZARD SWITCH IT WOULD NOT HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, WHICH IS CONTAMINATED GREASE THAT HAD BRIDGED THE CONTACTS OF THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443453
Incident
Jan 7, 2012
Mileage
99,709 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 3, 2012

TURN SIGNALS OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. CLICKING SOUND INSIDE CAR. GM HAS SPECIAL ISSUANCE FOR REPAIR. DEALERSHIP REPLACED HAZARD SWITCH. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442216
Incident
Jan 5, 2010
Mileage
65,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 6, 2011

2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH BLINKER SOUNDS NOT TURNING OFF *TGW

NHTSA ID
10429728
Incident
Oct 1, 2011
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 15, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT REPLAC THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10425577
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
68,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 8, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS WOULD ONLY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,812.

NHTSA ID
10364987
Incident
Oct 3, 2010
Mileage
104,812 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 6, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT. WHENEVER DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BOTH TURN SIGNALS WOULD STOP FUNCTIONING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10359470
Incident
Jul 2, 2010
Mileage
68,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .