2002 Pontiac Trans AM: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 32 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
32
owner complaints
0
fire reports
25,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaignsWeak spot: engine and engine cooling (20%)Problems reported early (median 25,000 mi)
Common problems
Computed from 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)20% · 6 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)13% · 4 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)13% · 4 complaints
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)10% · 3 complaints
Tires7% · 2 complaints
Seat Belts7% · 2 complaints
“Car being painted by chanllors collision warner robins ga. Whenever the top (halo) is painted, glue or oil cause paint to bubble through. Unable to paint top of car. After checking there is a recall.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2017
“There is bubbles coming through the paint on the roof panel. It is known by gm that its the glue bleeding through the fiberglass panel and paint. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 pontiac trans am. When she took the vehicle to a local mechanic for routine maintenance, she noticed that her vehicle had a gasoline leak. The mechanic diagnosis located the failure as the gasoline tank liner which needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 50,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 pontiac trans am. The contact noticed that the driver's side door panel separated from the frame. He is concerned that the door will fall off while driving. The manufacturer sent him to the gmc collision center and they stated that the repair was not covered under the warranty. The failure and current mileages were 49,000.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2008
“Tire separation -- of 4 tires with the same dot 3 either show signs of separation or separated and caused an accident.*tr”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2008
“Both left and right front turn signal lamps, sockets and lens housing failed due to high temperatures generated by the front lamp position lights remaining on during operation of vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2007
“Normal maintenance requirements maintained on this low mileage car. Engine coolant (listed as 5 year/150,000. Mile coolant) broke down and turned to brown foamy sludge at 39,000. Miles (less than 4 years). I will be having my local service center flush the cooling system and replace the long life coolant. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2006
“Dt*: the contact stated the guide that holds the driver's side seat belt shoulder strap broke. The vehicle was taken to the dealership to have the guide replaced. The manufacturer has not been contacted. This caused the seat belt to ride up\ on the driver's neck. If an accident occurred this could have resulted in a broken neck or strangling the driver . Manufacturer took report over the telephone, but dealer did not show concern. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2006
“Driver side rear wheel bearing malfunction causing me to wreak my car into a mailbox. State farm insurance would not fix wheel bearing said that it was a defect from pontiac. Contacted pontiac they would not help pay for the repair since I took it to a state farm service first location which was a dodge dealership. I have had bad dealings with the wiese (gm) dealership. But this was a place that the state farm case was delt with so they had to investigate and pontiac would not help. Second time pontiac would not help me out. I will trade my car if this is not solved. *nm”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2005
“Dt: the vehicle was parked when the consumer started it and could hear an explosion sound coming from under the hood. When lifting the hood could see oil coming from all over. When she took it to the dealership, they verified that the maintenance had been kept up. They told her that they would replace the motor with a used motor. The consumer was concerned that the same problem will happen again. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, they understood her concern and stated that they could not help her because her warranty was with someone else. There have been no previous problems with the engine. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Check your exact Trans AM by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Pontiac Trans AM reliable?
NHTSA has 32 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Pontiac Trans AM. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (20% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Pontiac Trans AM problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 25,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.