2002 Pontiac Trans Am Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Pontiac Trans Am, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine717.9%
- Brakes512.8%
- Exterior lighting410.3%
- Body & structure410.3%
- Seat belts37.7%
- Electrical37.7%
- Fuel system25.1%
- Visibility25.1%
- Tires & wheels25.1%
- Steering25.1%
- Interior & seats12.6%
- Driver assistance12.6%
- Airbags12.6%
- Suspension12.6%
- Transmission12.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 95 MPH IN FOURTH GEAR, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND DROVE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NORMAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS MAINTAINED ON THIS LOW MILEAGE CAR. ENGINE COOLANT (LISTED AS 5 YEAR/150,000. MILE COOLANT) BROKE DOWN AND TURNED TO BROWN FOAMY SLUDGE AT 39,000. MILES (LESS THAN 4 YEARS). I WILL BE HAVING MY LOCAL SERVICE CENTER FLUSH THE COOLING SYSTEM AND REPLACE THE LONG LIFE COOLANT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM WITH 30000 FAILURE MILEAGE AND 59100 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 50 MPH, SHE B LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT SHE NEEDED TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TIGHTENED UP. THE RACK AND PINION HAD BEEN TIGHTENED UP ON MAY/2005 AND MARCH 2007. ALSO, THE VEHICLE JERKED AFTER PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,088.*AK
2002 TRANS AM JERKS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *TS THE DEALER STATED THE CALIPERS ARE HARD HITTING WHICH WARPS THE ROTORS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND A DEFECT. THE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE INSIDE LIGHT ABOVE THE HANDLE WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL LAMPS, SOCKETS AND LENS HOUSING FAILED DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY THE FRONT LAMP POSITION LIGHTS REMAINING ON DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE. *TR
CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER BEING PURCHASED TWO MONTHS BRAND NEW. MULTIPLE ELECTRIC PROBLEMS, FUSES CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT AND ARE REPLACED, ALL POWER OPTIONS FAILED, CRACKLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH, GROANING/GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHEEL BALANCE ISSUES, LEFT BLINKER CONSTANTLY MALFUNCTIONS, RIGHT HEADLAMP ALWAYS BURNING OUT, BATTERY ACID LEAKED ALL OVER AFTER ONLY HAVE THE CAR A FEW MONTHS, WAS GETTING 30+ MILES TO A GALLON, NOW GETS <8 MILES TO A GALLON, INTERIOR DOOR PANEL SPLIT, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, ISSUED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC - THEY NOTED ME AS A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER, DEFOG VENT DOES NOT WORK IN DRIVER'S SIDE A-PILLAR. THERE IS MORE, BUT I DON'T HAVE MY LOG AND RECEIPTS WITH ME. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THERE IS BUBBLES COMING THROUGH THE PAINT ON THE ROOF PANEL. IT IS KNOWN BY GM THAT ITS THE GLUE BLEEDING THROUGH THE FIBERGLASS PANEL AND PAINT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. HE IS CONCERNED THAT THE DOOR WILL FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER SENT HIM TO THE GMC COLLISION CENTER AND THEY STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 95 MPH IN FOURTH GEAR, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND DROVE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GUIDE THAT HOLDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAP BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE GUIDE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO RIDE UP\ ON THE DRIVER'S NECK. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A BROKEN NECK OR STRANGLING THE DRIVER . MANUFACTURER TOOK REPORT OVER THE TELEPHONE, BUT DEALER DID NOT SHOW CONCERN. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
SENSING DIAGNOSTIC MODULE COMPLAINT. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE FOUND OUT THAT GM WAS PUTTING EVENT DATA RECORDERS ON THEIR VEHICLES. HE STATES THESE RECORDERS WILL NOT BE ACCURATE IF THE CONSUMER CHANGES THINGS SUCH AS TIRE SIZE. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN 2 PEOPLE IN THE SECOND VEHICLE BEING KILLED. THE EDR/SDM THAT WAS INSTALLED IN THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE RECORDED HIS SPEED OVER 100 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED HE MADE MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE AFFECTED THE DATA. *JB
CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER BEING PURCHASED TWO MONTHS BRAND NEW. MULTIPLE ELECTRIC PROBLEMS, FUSES CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT AND ARE REPLACED, ALL POWER OPTIONS FAILED, CRACKLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH, GROANING/GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHEEL BALANCE ISSUES, LEFT BLINKER CONSTANTLY MALFUNCTIONS, RIGHT HEADLAMP ALWAYS BURNING OUT, BATTERY ACID LEAKED ALL OVER AFTER ONLY HAVE THE CAR A FEW MONTHS, WAS GETTING 30+ MILES TO A GALLON, NOW GETS <8 MILES TO A GALLON, INTERIOR DOOR PANEL SPLIT, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, ISSUED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC - THEY NOTED ME AS A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER, DEFOG VENT DOES NOT WORK IN DRIVER'S SIDE A-PILLAR. THERE IS MORE, BUT I DON'T HAVE MY LOG AND RECEIPTS WITH ME. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SHE NOTICED THAT HER VEHICLE HAD A GASOLINE LEAK. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE GASOLINE TANK LINER WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER BEING PURCHASED TWO MONTHS BRAND NEW. MULTIPLE ELECTRIC PROBLEMS, FUSES CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT AND ARE REPLACED, ALL POWER OPTIONS FAILED, CRACKLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH, GROANING/GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHEEL BALANCE ISSUES, LEFT BLINKER CONSTANTLY MALFUNCTIONS, RIGHT HEADLAMP ALWAYS BURNING OUT, BATTERY ACID LEAKED ALL OVER AFTER ONLY HAVE THE CAR A FEW MONTHS, WAS GETTING 30+ MILES TO A GALLON, NOW GETS <8 MILES TO A GALLON, INTERIOR DOOR PANEL SPLIT, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, ISSUED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC - THEY NOTED ME AS A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER, DEFOG VENT DOES NOT WORK IN DRIVER'S SIDE A-PILLAR. THERE IS MORE, BUT I DON'T HAVE MY LOG AND RECEIPTS WITH ME. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 TRANS AM JERKS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *TS THE DEALER STATED THE CALIPERS ARE HARD HITTING WHICH WARPS THE ROTORS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND A DEFECT. THE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE INSIDE LIGHT ABOVE THE HANDLE WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
CAR STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER BEING PURCHASED TWO MONTHS BRAND NEW. MULTIPLE ELECTRIC PROBLEMS, FUSES CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT AND ARE REPLACED, ALL POWER OPTIONS FAILED, CRACKLING NOISE FROM UNDER THE DASH, GROANING/GRINDING NOISE FROM UNDER ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHEEL BALANCE ISSUES, LEFT BLINKER CONSTANTLY MALFUNCTIONS, RIGHT HEADLAMP ALWAYS BURNING OUT, BATTERY ACID LEAKED ALL OVER AFTER ONLY HAVE THE CAR A FEW MONTHS, WAS GETTING 30+ MILES TO A GALLON, NOW GETS <8 MILES TO A GALLON, INTERIOR DOOR PANEL SPLIT, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, ISSUED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC - THEY NOTED ME AS A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER, DEFOG VENT DOES NOT WORK IN DRIVER'S SIDE A-PILLAR. THERE IS MORE, BUT I DON'T HAVE MY LOG AND RECEIPTS WITH ME. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SEPARATION -- OF 4 TIRES WITH THE SAME DOT 3 EITHER SHOW SIGNS OF SEPARATION OR SEPARATED AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.*TR
THE TIRES ARE THE WRONG SIZE FOR THIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE CONSUMER HAS FALKEN 225/50R/16 M+S TUBELESS TIRES, WHEN THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE TIRE SIZE SHOULD BE 245/50/16. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM WITH 30000 FAILURE MILEAGE AND 59100 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 50 MPH, SHE B LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT SHE NEEDED TO HAVE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING TIGHTENED UP. THE RACK AND PINION HAD BEEN TIGHTENED UP ON MAY/2005 AND MARCH 2007. ALSO, THE VEHICLE JERKED AFTER PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,088.*AK
POWER STEERING HOSE CLAMPS ARE SHIPPED WITH A PIN IN PLACE, THE PIN IS SUPPOSED TO BE REMOVED BY THE INSTALLER UPON INSTALLATION, THE PIN WAS NOT REMOVED CAUSING THE HOSE TO FALL OFF AND LOSS OF ALL POWER STEERING FLUID AND THE ABILITY TO STEER. *JG
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 TRANS AM JERKS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. *TS THE DEALER STATED THE CALIPERS ARE HARD HITTING WHICH WARPS THE ROTORS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM AND A DEFECT. THE WINDOW MOTOR WAS REPLACED AND THE INSIDE LIGHT ABOVE THE HANDLE WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
FOUR TIMES THIS MORNING, MY THROTTLE WENT WIDE OPEN MID-SHIFT. WHEN I PRESSED THE CLUTCH, THE CAR REDLINED, AND WOULD NOT COME DOWN. I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR AND COAST TO A SAFE LOCATION EACH TIME. TWICE, ON RESTART, THE CAR REDLINED. THERE WAS NOTHING INTERFERING WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF, AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD AFTER THE FOURTH TIME, THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLOSED.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC TRANS AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 95 MPH IN FOURTH GEAR, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND DROVE DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL BEARING MALFUNCTION CAUSING ME TO WREAK MY CAR INTO A MAILBOX. STATE FARM INSURANCE WOULD NOT FIX WHEEL BEARING SAID THAT IT WAS A DEFECT FROM PONTIAC. CONTACTED PONTIAC THEY WOULD NOT HELP PAY FOR THE REPAIR SINCE I TOOK IT TO A STATE FARM SERVICE FIRST LOCATION WHICH WAS A DODGE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE HAD BAD DEALINGS WITH THE WIESE (GM) DEALERSHIP. BUT THIS WAS A PLACE THAT THE STATE FARM CASE WAS DELT WITH SO THEY HAD TO INVESTIGATE AND PONTIAC WOULD NOT HELP. SECOND TIME PONTIAC WOULD NOT HELP ME OUT. I WILL TRADE MY CAR IF THIS IS NOT SOLVED. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH PEDAL RETURN SPRING SNAPPED, VERY LOOSE CLUTCH PEDAL.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .