2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 V6 Ram Air from North America
Summary:
Just look, don't drive
Faults:
Shocks squeaked.
Power Steering Gearbox replaced.
Turn signal switch malfunction caused clicking in radio, naturally.
Power window assembly replaced on driver's side, naturally.
Wheel baring replaced because Trac off, SVS, and ABS warning lights went on, again a normal Pontiac excitement thing.
Back light in the radio display went half out.
Driver seat has become warn out and less comfortable than the others.
Other baring replaced due to same lights.
Brake pads and rotors replaced prematurely.
Control arm bushing wore out, causing the arm itself to become dilodged from the chassis, this caused the steering wheel to rock wildly over small bumps.
Intake manifold gasket broke because the factory bolts became loose on the manifold and caused the gasket to crack, this is causing a slow oil and coolant leak. I bet the head gasket is next.
Washer fluid pump stopped working for a day and then came back online.
The back light in the radio will eventually go completely out, it did today then I punched it and it came back on, but it's never that easy is it?
General Comments:
Let me tell ya, kids. This car sucks! Why does it suck? Well, this car really is not as great as it looks. It was just another excuse for GM to keep building on the N platform for another 6 years. It was abundantly clear to GM that this car had some pretty stupid and dumb design flaws, yet GM decided to continue building the cars incorrectly and just call it wear and tear. And why shouldn't they? This is America right? What good are you if you don't have the money to buy a few dozen new window regulators? I thought my Malibu was bad, but this car is even worse. I remember when I bought this car, I felt so damn cool, until I pulled into my school parking lot and discovered everyone already had one. I remember back in 2003 they had this stupid commercial for the car "What would you do if someone gave you the keys to a Pontiac Grand Am for a day?" I'll tell you what I'd do... nothing, because I can't start the car because the security light is on.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 10th January, 2008
15th Sep 2009, 02:48
Wow, seems I'm also not alone. I thought I had a pretty sweet ride when I bought my 02 Grand Am. Until I decided to roll the window down in December and it fell into the door.. Fun drive home.. Then the heater went out. And it takes more coolant than gasoline.
Nice car to look at, not so much to drive.
5th Nov 2010, 20:21
You have to be quite the mechanic if you want to own a Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 V6. Mine has 150,000 miles on it, and here is a list of things I have had to do it:
1) Changed the intake manifold gasket twice.
2) Bypassed the Passlock security system before it has a problem.
3) Changed the camshaft position sensor (if you have a problem where the car fires and dies, this may be your problem; I could get it started for a while by shooting ether into the intake; also leaving the car sit for an extended period would allow it to start again).
4) My email is derrike50@yahoo.com if anyone has any questions, I may be able to help.
19th Feb 2008, 11:40
I was happy to see I am not alone in this world, someone else has written just about the same problems with there 2001 (or 02) Grand Am as I am having with this one.
I do not have the exhaust problem, but have acquired a small coolant consumption problem in the last year.
I have had this vehicle for 6 years, and less than 10,000 miles. Now has 87,000.
Yes stock up on window regulators. And always allow for the "security light" to delay you by 10-15 minutes. "That is if you learned how to reset or bypass the alarm".
Yes all the warning lights are on, the rotors were worn-out by 60,000, brake pads every 15,000.