2002 Pontiac Grand AM Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 3%of 395 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM, 3% of the 395 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had just gotten off and exit ramp and was getting on the interstate. When my car got up to 40 MPH, it bogged down and down shift. I removed my foot from the gas pedal and let it get down to 30 MPH, and applied my foot on the gas pedal again. This time when it got to 40 MPH, it bogged down the only difference in the first time, it jerked. When I got off the interstate, I pulled into a parking lot and let the vehicle cool down for about 30 minutes, I started the car, but now it would not go into reverse or drive 1. …”
NHTSA complaint #10556310, filed 2013-12, 193,966 miles“At times, vehicle RPM's will jump about 300 higher than normal. It can do it on up hills, on flat and on down hills. It is more prevalent when cresting a hill. The RPM's will not move all the way up the hill but when the car crests, it will sometimes do it. I've had it to the dealer three times but they haven't been able to duplicate it but they also only take it out for five or ten minutes for a test drive. I notice it more when I do a trip of some kind on the highway. I don't notice it very much in my everyday driving but I don't usually drive very far weekdays. …”
NHTSA complaint #10159021, filed 2006-06, 45,000 miles“I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am that is not so grand. At 1100 miles the transmission was replaced after fighting with Pontiac. They finally authorized the dealership to drop the transmission pan and they found metal shards in it from the transmission. I had the molding around the rear window replace, both electric mirrors fixed because they get stuck. The ignition has been replaced three times since I got the car, twice in the last 4 weeks. The key will not turn in the ignition and the steering wheel is not locked. This really affects the usage of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10014529, filed 2003-04, 1,100 miles“2002 Pontiac grandam gt-1 has continuous grinding, rubbing, and popping sounds from the front steering. Also has uncontroled power steering where the car could go off the road. Dealerships can or will not try to find these serious defects, they say that it is the tires that is causing these defects.this is the second new gt-1 within the past three years with the same defects that I have owned.”
NHTSA complaint #10039429, filed 2003-09, 20,000 miles“I have a 2002 Grand Am manual transmission. The recall for the transmission going into reverse was on 2000-2001 Grand Am's but not on the 2002. The transmission was made by powertrain, mine was also.”
NHTSA complaint #10182158, filed 2007-02, 71,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 6 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 12 | 2% |
| 2000 | 17 | 3% |
| 1999 | 32 | 4% |
| 1998 | 13 | 8% |
| 1997 | 22 | 6% |
| 1996 | 33 | 7% |
| 1995 | 33 | 8% |
| 1994 | 22 | 6% |
| 1993 | 19 | 9% |
| 1992 | 16 | 10% |
| 1991 | 5 | 6% |
| 1990 | 7 | 18% |
| 1989 | 2 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1987 | 3 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
148 complaintsExterior lighting
97 complaintsEngine cooling
54 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
23 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsTires
12 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology