CarRecallDB

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls and problems

3 recalls and 330 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix.

3
recalls
330
owner complaints
19
complaints mentioning a crash
96
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Pontiac Grand Prix recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe · Engine and engine cooling: engine

NHTSA campaign 15V701000 · reported October 26, 2015 · General Motors LLC · 1,003,556 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Engine oil that drips onto the hot surface of the exhaust manifold may result in a fire.
The fix
The remedy applied under recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, and 15V-201 did not adequately remove the safety risk. Under the improved remedy, dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and gasket. Vehicles that are covered by recalls 08V-118, 09V-116, or 15V-201 that have not yet received the original remedy will instead receive the improved remedy under the original recall number. The recall began on February 19, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Oldsmobile customer service at 1-800-442-6537 and Pontiac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15757. Note: Until the improved remedy has been applied, owners are advised to park their vehicle outside since the fire risk exists even when the vehicle is unattended.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 09V116000 · reported April 8, 2009 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,497,516 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix
Dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537, and pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or http://www.pontiac.com or http:www.gmownercenter.com.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 08V118000 · reported March 12, 2008 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 207,542 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
Certain underhood fires may be caused by drops of engine oil, from seepage or spillage, being deposited on the exhaust manifold through hard braking. If the manifold is hot enough and the oil runs below the heat shield, it may ignite into a small flame and, in some instances, the fire may spread to the plastic spark plug wire channel and beyond.
The fix
Dealers will replace the engine’s front valve cover and front-valve-cover gasket with new parts of an improved design and remove the engine’s plastic cover and plastic oil-fill-tube extension, along with the 1-3-5 spark plug wire retainers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. , free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2016. Until the remedy is completed, gm strongly recommends that owners observe the following important precautions (1) that owners do not park their vehicle in a garage, car port, or other structure; (2) if owners notice a burning odor, they should have their dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer will inspect the vehicle without charge; (3) use premium fuel (91 octane or higher) in the vehicle as recommended in the vehicle's owner manual. Owners may contact buick at 1-866-608-8080 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 9, 2025 · Engine and engine cooling · 38,500 miles

The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V701000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be serviced because it was an older vehicle, and the dealer informed the contact…

May 29, 2023 · Fuel/propulsion system · fire reported

On May 27th 2023 just three days ago I went to start my car but it would not start, I tried two times then I smelled gas so I let it sit over night then the next day my friend went out to start it for me and it made a loud bang and the intake manifold exploded causing a fire and debris went everywhere, my is lucky he…

Oct 2, 2022 · Engine · fire reported

I had just drove about 30 miles home and when I arrived my engine was was smoking a little more than was usual because of oil burn off. So I popped the hood and a fire started in the back of the engine where I was having problems previously with the power steering pump. Obviously when I opened the hood it helped the…

Jan 10, 2022 · Air bags · crash reported

I was driving a red 2002 Pontiac. While sitting at a stop sign and the driver of a 2012 Ford Fiesta was going 55-60 MPH and ran in the back of my vehicle.

Nov 25, 2021 · Fuel/propulsion system · fire reported

The night of the incident I was driving to my brother's house when I pulled over lifted the hood it burst into flames

Grand Prix model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2000 546110162
2001 630814106
2002 33301996
2003 3106537
2004 74544658
2005 1148115

Across all years, the 2000 Grand Prix has the most complaints (461). All Pontiac Grand Prix years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix, the most recent reported on October 26, 2015 (Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe, Engine and engine cooling: engine). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix?
Owners have filed 330 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (86 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (62).
How many 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix complaints mention a crash or fire?
19 of 330 complaints report a crash and 96 a fire; 19 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 9, 2025.