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2002 Pontiac Grand Prix Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, most often about the engine (45% of complaints, typically around 120,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Grand Prix model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix problems
Engine
147 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 120,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
My 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix with a 3.8 liter engine caught fire while parked in my driveway after a short trip. There was a recall on the car involving engine fires. I took the car to a gm dealer and had the recall work done on september 16, 2010. The car was lost due to the fire on february 22, 2011. I later found out…
Car was not accelerating on high way then all power was last in car including the breaks. I was able to get the car to the side of the highway. Dark smoke began coming though the car's vent and out the hood. I exited the car and then saw flames coming out the engine. I received a recall notice in may 2009 for a…
Electrical
56 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.
Key stuck in the ignition at 85,000 miles. Car was in park and engine was off (though key would not turn all the way back to it's normal off position). Had to remove bottom cover on steering column in order to press a button on solenoid to release the key. This is now consistently happening every time I drive the car.…
The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact was driving approximately 30 MPH when the heater was activated and the automatic headlights and rear defroster failed. In addition, the failures occurred when the air conditioner was activated. The failure was intermittent and progressed. The vehicle was taken to…
Brakes
26 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH, approaching a stop sign when the brakes were engaged; however, the vehicle failed to slow down. After numerous attempts the vehicle eventually came to a stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and…
After driving to several stores, upon starting my car I noticed the brake pedal went almost to the floor. I started to pull from the parking space and it took me a long time to stop. I parked and had my car taken to a repair shop. The brake line was rusted through. The mechanic said that should not have happened to a…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system, delivery.
A month prior to the fire my car smelled like there was some kind of leak. Smelled like gas. On february 10th, 2008 my 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix gtp caught on fire and was totaled. I found this summary on a local website, "summary: certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and…
Fuel line leak over engine on 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix gt. The quick disconnect over the intake manifold has an o-ring that wears out and allows fuel to flow onto the hot engine when the fuel pump is energized. I found this problem on my 2002 Grand Prix gt when I smelled gasoline.
Lights
24 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: hazard flashing warning lights, brake lights, headlights, back up lights.
Brake lights not working and was almost rear ended. Hazard switch is stuck. After checking online this appears to be a very common problem related to the multi-function switch. It appears that gm is waiting for a few fatalities to occur before taking any action!!
Driver's side rear light assembly filling with water. After searching online, this appears to be a very common issue. Could result in failure of rear lights and possible accident.
Visibility and wipers
20 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 63,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, rear window wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer.
The windows in my Grand Prix just started failing and dropped down into the door and would not operate at all. The first on went then 4 days later the 2nd one went and the next day a 3rd window broke again. Each time we had to take the car to the dealership and have the motor and regulator replaced at 600.00 each…
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix- - catalytic converter failed at 66,300 miles. Put in shop because gm would not stand by their extended emissions component warranty. My cost $690.00 car is pure junk. Power windows work when it is colder outside, but when temp is above 75-80 degrees can't open windows to breathe>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Transmission
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle hubs.
Dealership inspection revealed worn/failed parts. Both front hub bearings and driver side drive axle inboard cv boot torn/grease escaping. Brakes observed worn front both sides. Parts replaced with new/remanufactured parts. Other parts on front not effected by worn components. Old hubs available for inspection, drive…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle slowed down and would not go above 40 MPH. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and it would not shift. The torque converter was diagnosed as the cause of the failure and was repaired at the cost of $2,217.97. The contact filed a complaint with…
Suspension
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
This is an update to complaint 10107847. Please include the following information with the previous summary. In addition to the parts previously mentioned, at approximately 84,000 miles, the front struts and their associated mounts required replacement due to excessive wear. Indications were first noticed from a light…
I have found both sides of the front suspension anti roll bar on my 2002 Grand Prix gtp to have cracks at the pinch weld, where the links attach. On the lhs is it pretty well cracked all the way through, the rhs is cracked approx 50% of the way through. It appears the road salt and corrosion is getting in between the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls
Engine: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Risk: Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
Fix: The remedy applied under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, or 15v-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on february 19, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and pontiac customer s
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 1998-1999 chevrolet lumina and oldsmobile intrigue, 1997-2004 buick regal and pontiac grand prix, 2000-2004 chevrolet impala, and 1998-2004 chevrolet monte carlo vehicles. The affected vehicles were previously repaired under recalls 08v-118, 09v-116, and 15v-201 to address the possibility that engine oil may drip onto the hot exhaust manifold.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling 1,497,516 my 1997-2003 buick regal, my 1998-2003 chevrolet lumina, monte carlo and impala, my 1998-1999 oldsmobile intrigue, my 1997-2003 pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l v6 naturally aspirated engine. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which drops of engine oil may be deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engineâs front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engineâs plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling 207,542 my 1997-2003 buick regal and pontiac grand prix vehicles equipped with a 3.8l supercharged v-6 engine. These vehicles have higher front rocker cover gasket temperatures, creating the potential for earlier degradation of the front rocker cover gasket and eventual oil seepage.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
Summary
By letter dated march 12, 2008, general motors corp. (gm) has notified the agency that it will conduct a safety recall (identified by NHTSA recall number 08v-118) to address a defect in approximately 207,542 model year (my) 1997-2003 buick regal gs and pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the l67 supercharged version of gm's 3800 series II v6 engine.the recalled regal gs vehicles were built from august 1996 to june 2003 and the grand prix gtp from march 1996 through january 2003.according to gm, oil may escape past the valve cover gasket on the front cylinder bank (cylinders 1-3-5) and deposit onto hot exhaust system components.under certain conditions, it is possible for this oil t
Engine compartment fire
Summary
On january 29, 2007, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged non-crash fires originating in the engine compartment in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 pontiac grand prix gtp vehicles equipped with the ?l67? Supercharged version of the general motors (gm) 3800 series II v6 engine.to date, odi is aware of 121 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles that allege non-crash related fires originating in the engine compartment while driving or after the vehicle is parked and the ignition switched off. While no subject component has yet been identified, odi analysis of available information indicates that the alleged fire incident r
Loss of brake lamp illumination
Summary
The agency's analysis of gm's complaint and warranty data for the subject vehicles, including a comparison with other agency and manufacturer data pertaining to other vehicle brake lamp investigations, indicated a low failure history for the subject vehicles.this investigation included a review and analysis of data for relevant brake lamp malfunctions that require replacement of the multifunction switch (mfs) module.the hazard warning switch is an integral part of the mfs module.other components that affect brake lamp illumination such as wiring, bulb sockets, and the plunger-type brake lamp switch, were not a part of this investigation.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified a
Engine compartment fires
Summary
Ea02-030 is closed with gmea02-030 is closed with gm?s actions in 03v-473 and 04v-090 recalling approximately 529,000 my 1998-99 c- and h-body vehicles equipped with defective fuel pressure regulators.these vehicles were equipped with plastic intake manifolds that are unable to contain pressures that occur in some backfire events and defective fuel pressure regulators with leaking diaphragms that can provide a source of fuel to produce a combustible air-fuel mixture in the manifold.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by odi that no safety defect exists in the vehicles that are not included in gm?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the incidence of manifold rupt
Questions about the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (147 complaints, typically around 120,500 miles); electrical (56 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); brakes (26 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 26, 2015 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Pontiac Grand Prix?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Grand Prix model year since 2000, with 330 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.