2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems
Shopping for a used 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 339 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Engine Problems the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix has 339 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Engine Problems.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix has 339 owner complaints, 19 crash-related complaints, and 7 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Pontiac
- Model
- Grand Prix
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 339
- Crash-related complaints
- 19
- Safety recall campaigns
- 7
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 17 / 27
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- Electronic stability control
- No
Common problems
Most common 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Electrical Faults
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Electrical Faults, Headlight/Taillight Failures. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?
The 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
Inspection Focus
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Check for electrical system issues, including battery and alternator.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and lighting repairs.
Before You Close the Deal
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine thoroughly before purchase.
- Check for electrical system issues, including battery and alternator.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and lighting repairs.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix are heavily concentrated in engine problems, with electrical faults and headlight/taillight failures also notable. Crash-related complaints are relatively few. The data suggests potential issues in key systems, but confidence is low due to the single model year analyzed.
- Engine problems account for the largest share of complaints.
- Electrical faults are the second most reported issue.
- Headlight/taillight failures are a recurring theme among complaints.
- Engine Problems
- Electrical Faults
- Headlight/Taillight Failures
Full breakdown
All 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 150 | 1 | 84 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 58 | 2 | 11 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 27 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 26 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 20 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 20 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 18 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 | — | 5 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 12 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 11 | 9 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 10 | — | 2 | — | |
| Gasoline | 10 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 9 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Equipment | 7 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 6 | 5 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Tire Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was an older vehicl…
On May 27th 2023 just three days ago I went to start my car but it would not start, I tried two times then I smelled gas so I let it sit over night then the next day my friend went out to start it for me and it made a loud bang and the intake manifold exploded causing a fire and …
I had just drove about 30 miles home and when I arrived my engine was was smoking a little more than was usual because of oil burn off. So I popped the hood and a fire started in the back of the engine where I was having problems previously with the power steering pump. Obviously…
I was driving a red 2002 Pontiac. While sitting at a stop sign and the driver of a 2012 Ford Fiesta was going 55-60 MPH and ran in the back of my vehicle.
The night of the incident I was driving to my brother's house when I pulled over lifted the hood it burst into flames
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAD PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TUNE-UP, OIL CHANGE AND NO FAILURE CODES FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE MECHANIC, SHE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY …
LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL IS ACCUMULATING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING HARD BRAKING/TURNING, THIS OIL CAN SPILL OFF THE ENGINE ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST.
BOUGHT THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2017. HAD TO REPLACE RACK AND PINION. A FEW MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD WAS DRIVING CAR AND STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND IT TURNED HALFWAY TO THE LEFT TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT. RACK AND PINION BUSTED. REPLACED RACK AND PINION AGAIN PLUS STRUTS AND THE CAR WILL …
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 …
LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE, SAFETY HAZARD, INEVITABLE EMISSIONS FAILURE. MANY RECALLS REGARDING PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH THE ISSUE
IN 04 I HAD MY RACK N PINION REPLACED CAUSE LEFT SIDE BROKE MATAGA OF STOCKTON DID IT THEY ALSO REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP EVER SINCE THEN I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AND NOW IT'S WORSE I'VE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP BUT IT STILL STEERS HARD ALSO THE STEERING DOE…
AFTER INSTALLING A AFTERMARKET INDIGLO REVERSE GAUGE OVERLAY ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NEVER WENT OFF. CAR WAS STATIONARY. CHECKED FUSES, TRIED TO RESET BY TURNING IGNITION TO THE ON POSITION AND PUMPING THE BRAKES THREE TIMES WORKED ONCE THEN CAME BACK ON. TH…
MY CAR WOULDN'T START SO I CALLED AAA. THE MAN TRIED TO START THE CAR BEFORE HE ATTEMPTED TO JUMP IT. WHEN HE TURNED THE KEY, THE CAR EXPLODED AND CAUGHT FIRE. THANK GOODNESS HE HADN'T OPENED THE HOOD BECAUSE I WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE CAR AND COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED FROM THE F…
MY 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX WITH A 3.8 LITER ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS OUT OF STATE IN DETROIT DOING TRAINING FOR WORK. I PARKED AT THE HOTEL I WAS STAYING AT AFTER A SHORT TRIP TO DINNER AND BACK I PARK MY CAR AND 15 MIN. LATER I HEARD TWO LOAD POPS (NOISE WAS FRONT TIRES BL…
HAD A RECALL FOR MY CAR. NO LOW COOLANT LIGHT WAS OFF BEFORE AS INSTRUCTED WENT TO A DEALER TO FIX THE RECALL GATEWAY MOTORS IN BROKEN BOW DID THE RECALL LOW COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE SO I CONTACTED SANDHILLS MOTOR TO LET THEM LOOK AT IT. SAID THERMOSTAT WAS…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A BOOM SOUND AND SAW WHITE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN THE CONTACT LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD, SHE NOTICED THAT A PISTON WAS DISLODGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SCRANTON CHEVROLET O…
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WITH FRONT END DAMAGE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE EMITTED SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG CHEMICAL BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND A LARGE CLOUD OF SMOKE APPEARED UNDER…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL DETECTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMALL SPOTS OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINE WA…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE FLAMES HAD ENGULFED THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SC…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Safety recalls
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls
7 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. 7 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
STEERING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 339 owner complaints, 19 crash-related complaints, and 7 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?▾
#1: Engine Problems (150 complaints). #2: Electrical Faults (58 complaints). #3: Headlight/Taillight Failures (27 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, NHTSA complaints include 19 crash-related reports and 96 fire reports out of 339 total complaints. 19 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix have any recalls?▾
Yes. 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. A major recall area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. 7 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?▾
The 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Pontiac Grand Prix reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.