Grand Prix (2002)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
L36
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Pontiac Grand Prix Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
LG8
3.1L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L67
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
LY8
1.3L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
LS4
5.3L 8-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.1-V6-Gas
3.1L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac Grand Prix, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
On a used 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (147), the cooling system (62) and the electrical system (57). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 147 owner complaints on the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix about the engine, all engines combined.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 62 owner complaints on the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix about the cooling system, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 57 owner complaints on the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix about the electrical system.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix about the brakes.
- Check every exterior light, the wipers, the washers, the mirrors and the glass.Safety. NHTSA has 24 owner complaints on the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix about the exterior lighting.
Recalls (7)
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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DORMAN IS RECALLING 979 STEERING KNUCKLES, DORMAN P/NOS. 697-902 AND 697-903, SOLD UNDER DORMAN'S "OE SOLUTIONS<SUP>TM</SUP>" BRAND NAME, AND NAPA P/NOS. 7-8502 AND 7-8503 WHICH WERE SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. A POTENTIAL MATERIAL OR DESIGN DEFECT COULD RESULT IN THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Show 2 older recalls
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.
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
All Generations
Alternatives in Full-Size Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints?
Owners have filed 330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system.
Is the 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 330 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix have?
NHTSA has 330 owner complaints on file for the 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2002-2002 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Pontiac Grand Prix?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Grand Prix have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 330 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.