2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT Ram air V6 from North America

Summary:

Unknown, it has been in the shop 3 out of the 7 days that I have owned it!

Faults:

Rubbing noise in front end

Jerking between 30 and 50 miles per hour

Heat gage reads 220 at slow speeds.

General Comments:

I just recently bought the car and it has almost 1000 miles on it. It has been in the shop twice now. They are claiming that the noise in the front end was the brakes, they replaced them, and still the noise was there. And they then turned the rotors, and still the noise was present. After searching online, I found that the older models have tire issues, so I have address that problem with the dealership. the jerking in the car at speeds between 30 and 50 mph, well they called me today and said it is a bad valve body.??? My husband said he could agree with that, but is the transmission going to be reliable even after it is repaired? The heat gauge in the car reads 220, the dealership tells me that this is normal, but,...the fan isn't on at 220? I don't think this is normal. I could def. see 210, but 220?? This just seems a little much. The only way the fan will come on is to turn on the AC. At highway speeds the car still runs 205-210. Something just don't seem right. I also have noticed a small leakage near the head gasket, I mentioned this to the dealership today, since my car is still in the shop, and they had no comment. Well, lets just say that after reading hundreds of reviews, I will make sure that this is addressed also. I just wish that I would have researched this before I signed the papers!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th October, 2007

25th Jun 2009, 21:29

My experience with cars with electric fans has been that the fans often won't come on below 220 degrees with the A/C off.

Unless it gets beyond 235 or so, the dealer isn't likely to do anything about it.

Having said that, my wife's 2004 Grand AM GT 3.4 rarely went beyond 207 degrees - A/C on, 220 degrees A/C off.

Hope this helps.

2002 Pontiac Grand Am SE Sport from North America

Summary:

My Grand Am is fun to drive as it is powerful and solid on the road.

Faults:

Driver and front passenger power window units replaced, the latter twice @ total cost of nearly $700.

The dashboard is in the process of curling up from the windshield toward the steering wheel. Told entire dashboard must be replaced: cost, $1000.

Seats and carpet have begun to wear badly.

General Comments:

For the most part I enjoy driving my Grand Am.

The window and dashboard problems (see above) detract somewhat from my enjoyment.

The driver's seat is comfortable for up to 60 to 90 minutes. The car Any longer and the seat's very short length and lack of lumbar support takes its toll.

I love the red-glow instrument panel.. at night. However on a sunny day I essentially have no instrument panel. The sun ELIMINATES the red readouts.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th October, 2007

2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 from North America

Summary:

Besides with everything that has gone wrong I really enjoy the car

Faults:

I haven't made the first payment and I'm already having problems with intake gasket $500 fix.

Tires rub when turning to sharp.

Rubber lining on back of car is coming off.

Passenger side window leaks.

Motor on passenger side is going out.

Numbers and stuff on radio is half dimmed on one side.

General Comments:

Besides all the things that has gone wrong I really like the car. Handles really good. And has real good high end torque. Has good passing speed if you need to get up and go on short notice.

Raced it on a 1/8th mile drag strip and ran 10.2 at 70 mph which is pretty decent for a stock car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th August, 2007

2002 Pontiac Grand Am GT 3.4 Ram Air from North America

Summary:

Great car and reliable

Faults:

The only thing that I had a very small problem with was the security light. I almost took it to the dealer to have it checked out, but I read a comment that was made by a gentleman who had the same problem. He found out by accident that if the ignition key gets dirt on it, something in the key cylinder won't read right and the light will come on. I cleaned the key using dish soap and a tooth brush, and the problem went away. I now take the fifteen seconds it takes to clean the key once a month.

General Comments:

This car is a lot of fun to drive and handles quite well. How ever, in the winter time here in Wisconsin, I have to use my wife's 4x4 SUV because this car doesn't like snow at. It only happens about ten times a year; we don't get snow like we used to.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th August, 2007

20th Aug 2007, 10:31

My son doesn't have problems in the snow with his Grand Am, except when he needed new tires. He waits until the roads are plowed in the morning though, so he isn't driving through more than a few inches.