2002 Pontiac Grand Am: engine failure

Filed Nov 16, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 109,848 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac grand am. The contact stated that when she turned the key in the ignition, the engine failed to start the vehicle was previously repaired per an unknown ignition switch recall. It took over ten minutes for the vehicle to start. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,848. Updated 05/17/17*lj the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not offer any assistance. The consumer requested to have all the electrical components replaced. Updated 09/20/2017

Filed Apr 24, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 25,000 miles · MO · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac grand am. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the rear wheels seized. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and the rear driver side crashed into a curb, deflating the tire. The air bags failed to deploy. The ABS and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain any injures that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v400000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 143,000 miles · FL

A surprise storm hit on I-4 westbound in orlando, fl. I was driving at about 45 miles per hour. The roads got wet very quickly and traffic backed up fast. As I hit the brakes with force to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me, the ABS light came on as did the traction control light and the service vehicle soon light, the car seemed to have a power drainage/loss for a split second. At this moment, with how hard I hit the brakes, the car slid, the ABS system did not engage and I had to release the brakes in order to get some traction and without warning swerve into the driving lane to the immediate right of the lane I was in so not to hit the vehicle directly in front of me. I was able to avoid an accident but that still does not fix nor does is change the fact that something went wrong and a vital piece of equipment seized to function. I have searched online for an answer for this and I am not the only one dealing with this. This is unsafe and the experience was very scary. Nobody should have to go through that kind of issue nor should feel that scared in their lives.

Filed Apr 19, 2010 · Electrical · 132,000 miles · IL

Tl*-the contact owns a 2002 pontiac grand am. The contact attempted to start the ignition, the engine failed to start. When the ignition key was turned to the acc position on the ignition switch the engine would start after waiting for a period of ten to twenty minutes. The failure occurred on five separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were 132,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2008 · Engine · 78,000 miles · MI

While driving a 2002 grand am with 77k miles, the car suddenly stalled in the middle of the street. After having the vehicle looked at I was informed the timing chain had gone bad- extremely rare for the year and mileage on my car. I did some research, and found out that gm recalled 20k+ saturns for this faulty VIN f engine timing chain. This is the same engine in my car, and the same thing that broke. Once the chain broke the pieces got inside several engine compartments and caused a severe amount of damage to the car. About half of the engine needs to be replaced due to the damage of the chain breaking. I contacted gm, and the dealership where the car was purchased and neither want to do anything to alleviate the damage the faulty timing chain has caused.

Filed Mar 30, 2007 · Engine · 52,000 miles · AE

My wife and children were driving on the autobahn and the engine died. She was able to pull over to the side of the road. The engine would not start and she had it towed to an authorized service center. The timing chain had broke and damaged the entire engine. I was told I would have to get a new engine shipped to germany at a cost of $9000. The car had 52000 miles on it and had been recently serviced. The warranty had just expired at 50000 miles and gm said the engine was not their problem anymore.

Filed Apr 25, 2005 · Engine · NY

I purchased a 2002 pontiac grand am se brand new. I began having trouble with it starting at 36,400 miles, the security light would come on, and car would not start. I called the dealership and because it was off warranty, they were not willing to help (although they had been very helpful during the sale). I took it to a small repair shop, and they thought that the problem was caused by a remote start system that I had installed at a dealership. Removed the remote start, but continued to have problems with it starting, and the security light coming on (if I kept the ignition on for 10 minutes it would reset). At 44,000 miles, while sitting in my driveway warming up the engine died. I had it towed to a local dealership where they found that the timing chain had broken and completely destroyed the engine. I called the dealership that I had purchased the vehicle from, and they refused to do anything about it. After much effort, they finally said that they might consider a "goodwill" warranty if I could provide receipts for all of my oil changes. Since these were done at home, I did not have receipts. I am still making payments on this car and feel that because it was a catastrophic incident that the dealership should have been willing to help me replace the engine in the car. The vehicle only had 44,000 miles on it, and it is sitting in my driveway dead. Anybody that looks at the car will know that I loved my grand am. Because I did not have the money to replace the engine (they wanted $3000) I ended up buying a 1995 jeep cherokee with 225,000 miles on it, this vehicle starts and runs everyday!!! It is very sad that general motors cannot take a few lessons from jeep in how to build a reliable product. Up until the day that I called the dealership with a car that would not start at 36,400 miles, I raved about what a terrific place they had been to deal with. 400 miles off warranty...they did not even know my name.

Filed Apr 29, 2004 · Engine · TN

While driving, the timing belt broke. This caused the engine to turn two different ways. This caused catastrophic engine failure. The head broke as well as the pistons and rods. A new engine is now required.