The 2002 Pontiac Grand Am is not worthy of a five or four star rating.

I am surprised of all the high ratings for this car, if you take a look on other websites that rate cars, this car rates below average.

I feel I have to put my two cents here and give a detailed review of this car, being I have owned it for over four years and I feel this will help anyone buying this car used.

I would like to first start out by listing all the problems and then going into detail about them.

Engine, Stereo (Head Unit and Speakers), HVAC Unit, Seats, Power Windows, Steering system, Brakes, Trunk, and Turn Signals

All of the problems listed above have happened on my car and on many other Grand Am’s as well. Below is the detail about each problem.

Engine- Pontiac Grand Am's with the V6 are notorious for having bad gaskets in the engine, a fact I did not know until after I bought the car. With about 70,000 miles on the car I took the car in because it was running hot and there was gunk in the radiator as well as in the oil. It turned out a gasket had failed and that oil was mixing with the coolant, which is not good. The Pontiac dealer wanted over a $1000.00 to repair it and told me this happens to them all, and recommended trading it in. I would of have liked to have traded it in but I didn't want payments anymore, so I ended up having it fixed at Merlin’s for about $600.00 and it is now running fine.

Stereo - The stereo was replaced under warranty because the amp would cut out. A speaker was replaced in the rear because it blew out. Both were replaced about 3 years ago and have since been trouble free.

HVAC Unit (Air and Heat)- I had to have a resistor replaced because the fan of the unit would only blow on speeds of 4 or five. It was replaced under warranty three years ago and now runs on all speeds.

Seats - The fabric pulled away from the seat where the bottom and top part meet. Replaced under warranty, still fine years later. The power seat motor that makes the seat move up and down failed but magically fixed itself and works now.

Power Windows - The window regulators, as they are called, had to be replaced three times under warranty and the one on the passenger window is failing again, and it’s out of warranty.

Steering System - I had to have the steering shaft replaced under warranty because of a clunking noise while turning the wheel. It has since been fine.

Brakes - They are awful, always have been. Even after replacing them with brakes other then GM they are still awful.

Trunk - Would pop open by itself. Dealer replaced a BCM module under warranty. It is fine now.

Turn Signals - Failed. Replaced flasher module under recall. I still hear a clicking noise even when the turn signals aren't on.

Keyless Entry - Stopped working.

All of the above are common problems with this car and as you can see I experienced every one of them. Most of them were repaired under warranty but some were not, and even though it is replaced under warranty it is still a pain to bring it in and have it fixed.

I also would like to point out that my father has a 01 Grand Am and has experienced all the same problems including the engine problem.

As far as the handling and performance goes the handling is sub par with a very pronounced body roll in the turns, which has been like that since day one. The engine is peppy, though, and I don't have a problem merging on the highway, it shifts when I want it to.

The one good thing is that once something is fixed in the car, besides the windows, you are done repairing it. But for a car to have a total of 10 different problems and only being a 2002 is very excessive.

Look for something else, with better quality. Remember GM does make some decent cars but they some awful cars as well, with this one being one of them.

Amount Paid (US$): 13000.00
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2002
Model and Options: SE2, V6, AUTO