Pontiac Trans Am 2002
Model Trans Am made in 2002 by Pontiac got 38 consumer complains as well as 4 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine and engine cooling. Technical service bulletines regarding seat belts.
Model 2002
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS | |||||
| 09-09-40-001A | 02/01/2011 | 10038294 | Ready | 06/14/2011 | |
| 09-09-40-001A | 02/01/2011 | 10038294 | Gm: there are seat belt problems: difficulty latching and unlatching buckle. buckle release button is sticking. seat belt warning light illuminated. likely caused by sticky beverages that are spilled into the buckle assembly. *rm | 06/14/2011 | |
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT - WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES | |||||
| 09-09-40-001A | 02/01/2011 | 10038294 | Ready | 06/14/2011 | |
| 09-09-40-001A | 02/01/2011 | 10038294 | Gm: there are seat belt problems: difficulty latching and unlatching buckle. buckle release button is sticking. seat belt warning light illuminated. likely caused by sticky beverages that are spilled into the buckle assembly. *rm | 06/14/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 07/06/2002 | 5000 | 12 | 04/18/2002 |
| Car started having problems after being purchased two months brand new. multiple electric problems, fuses constantly burning out and are replaced, all power options failed, crackling noise from under the dash, groaning/grinding noise from under engine compartment, wheel balance issues, left blinker constantly malfunctions, right headlamp always burning out, battery acid leaked all over after only have the car a few months, was getting 30+ miles to a gallon, now gets <8 miles to a gallon, interior door panel split, poor customer service, issued a complaint with gmc - they noted me as a dissatisfied customer, defog vent does not work in driver's side a-pillar. there is more, but i don't have my log and receipts with me. *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - STARTER ASSEMBLY | |||
| 07/25/2002 | 3 | 07/01/2002 | |
| Car starts w/out even turning key to start position, starter stays engaged causing a terrible loud noise effecting starter and flywheel, we had it towed into taylor motors they did nothing and gave it back and it is still doing it, this is dangerous*ak | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | |||
| 07/06/2002 | 5000 | 12 | 04/18/2002 |
| Car started having problems after being purchased two months brand new. multiple electric problems, fuses constantly burning out and are replaced, all power options failed, crackling noise from under the dash, groaning/grinding noise from under engine compartment, wheel balance issues, left blinker constantly malfunctions, right headlamp always burning out, battery acid leaked all over after only have the car a few months, was getting 30+ miles to a gallon, now gets <8 miles to a gallon, interior door panel split, poor customer service, issued a complaint with gmc - they noted me as a dissatisfied customer, defog vent does not work in driver's side a-pillar. there is more, but i don't have my log and receipts with me. *jb | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 05/29/2006 | 39101 | 1 | 07/10/2002 |
| 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 | |||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||
| 08/10/2005 | 51000 | 1 | 09/01/2002 |
| 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 | |||
| 06/01/2002 | 05/28/2002 | ||
| Engine knock; piston slap. continuous tapping sound from the engine throughout the temp range. *nlm | |||
| 07/01/2002 | 3500 | 5 | 06/10/2002 |
| Consumer states when accelerating engine looses power. cause unknown. *ak when consumer attempts to pass a vehicle, the rpm goes down. the engine would die down to 50 mph forcing the consumer to pull behind the vehicle he tried to pass. since dealer couldn't duplicate the problem, vehicle was unable to be repaired. *ph | |||
| 09/01/2002 | 8000 | 1 | 12/26/2001 |
| I have a knock in my engine appearing to be coming from the number 1 piston and cylinder area. one dealer calls it piston slap, which i have read up on and it says that it goes away after it warms up, my knock can be heard at all times of engine operation. gm says there are teflon coated pistons available only for the corvette ls1 engine and not my trans am ls1 engine. i have dealt with one dealer in oak harbor wa that is both a chevy and pontiac service center. i refuse to use this dealer ever again because they try to pawn it off as piston slap and that it is normal to have. i have a high performance engine i should not have any knocks in it, especially since it is worsening and i am able to feel the knock through the gear shift handle. the next closest gm dealer is in anacortes wa and it is not a pontiac so pontiac customer service wants me to only go to a pontiac dealer which the next closest dealer is another 15 miles away. what am i supposed to do about the knock in my engine? i don't want to have to get the engine replaced due to the depreciation value of my car since it will be a collectors item being the last model made. *jb | |||
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL | |||
| 01/01/1901 | 1 | ||
| Sensing diagnostic module complaint. consumer states that he found out that gm was putting event data recorders on their vehicles. he states these recorders will not be accurate if the consumer changes things such as tire size. *kb the consumer was involved in an accident which resulted in 2 people in the second vehicle being killed. the edr/sdm that was installed in the consumers vehicle recorded his speed over 100 mph. the consumer stated he made modifications to the vehicle that could have affected the data. *jb | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||
| 07/06/2002 | 5000 | 12 | 04/18/2002 |
| Car started having problems after being purchased two months brand new. multiple electric problems, fuses constantly burning out and are replaced, all power options failed, crackling noise from under the dash, groaning/grinding noise from under engine compartment, wheel balance issues, left blinker constantly malfunctions, right headlamp always burning out, battery acid leaked all over after only have the car a few months, was getting 30+ miles to a gallon, now gets <8 miles to a gallon, interior door panel split, poor customer service, issued a complaint with gmc - they noted me as a dissatisfied customer, defog vent does not work in driver's side a-pillar. there is more, but i don't have my log and receipts with me. *jb | |||
| 08/21/2004 | 1 | 05/14/2004 | |
| Headlights intermittently shut off but, come right back on. dealership said that the running lights shut off too, but there was nothing they could do.*ak | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL | |||
| 11/05/2007 | 65010 | 2 | 10/26/2006 |
| 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 | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL - SWITCH | |||
| 07/06/2002 | 5000 | 12 | 04/18/2002 |
| Car started having problems after being purchased two months brand new. multiple electric problems, fuses constantly burning out and are replaced, all power options failed, crackling noise from under the dash, groaning/grinding noise from under engine compartment, wheel balance issues, left blinker constantly malfunctions, right headlamp always burning out, battery acid leaked all over after only have the car a few months, was getting 30+ miles to a gallon, now gets <8 miles to a gallon, interior door panel split, poor customer service, issued a complaint with gmc - they noted me as a dissatisfied customer, defog vent does not work in driver's side a-pillar. there is more, but i don't have my log and receipts with me. *jb | |||
| 09/28/2004 | 38800 | 1 | 03/28/2002 |
| Loss of turn signals and high/low headlights caused by failure of what is called the wind shield washer switch assembly located on the stearing column. part number 26098535 switch,ws 10 163.*ak to correct, required teardown of stearing column. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - FUEL PUMP | |||
| 07/06/2002 | 5000 | 12 | 04/18/2002 |
| Car started having problems after being purchased two months brand new. multiple electric problems, fuses constantly burning out and are replaced, all power options failed, crackling noise from under the dash, groaning/grinding noise from under engine compartment, wheel balance issues, left blinker constantly malfunctions, right headlamp always burning out, battery acid leaked all over after only have the car a few months, was getting 30+ miles to a gallon, now gets <8 miles to a gallon, interior door panel split, poor customer service, issued a complaint with gmc - they noted me as a dissatisfied customer, defog vent does not work in driver's side a-pillar. there is more, but i don't have my log and receipts with me. *jb | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY | |||
| 01/01/2010 | 50000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | |||
| 08/05/2004 | 9861 | 3 | |
| 2002 trans am jerks when brakes are applied. mechanic determined the rotors were warped. *ts the dealer stated the calipers are hard hitting which warps the rotors. it is a know problem and a defect. the window motor was replaced and the inside light above the handle was inoperative. *jb | |||
| OTHER | |||
| 08/17/2002 | 1 | ||
| Request for federal or state investigation of edr / sdm accuracy.*mr consumer was involved in a collision that resulted in an airbag deployment and two fatalities (2002 pontiac trans am modified to firehawk by superlegal performance). *bf the consumer believes the information from the edr/sdm using the vetronix software was incorrect/inaccurate. the consumer request a full investigation determine the accuracy of the edr/sdm if modifications are made to the vehicle after the factory built specification are made. *nm | |||
| POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE | |||
| 07/28/2003 | 18000 | 1 | |
| Clutch pedal return spring snapped, very loose clutch pedal.*ak | |||
| SEAT BELTS - FRONT | |||
| 01/02/2006 | 12093 | 1 | 05/01/2002 |
| 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 | |||
| 04/07/2003 | 1 | ||
| The seat belt failed to retract, and as a result the consumer was not held securely in the seat. the dealer inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem. *nlm | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 5000 | 4 | ||
| When driving at highway speeds and then slowing down, the steering wheel shook violently. the dealer determined that the rotors were warped. the owner had the rotors turned at least four times. *nm | |||
| 10/01/2002 | 22000 | 01/01/2002 | |
| While traveling on the highway when she apply her brakes the vehicle will vibrate. please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. ts | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 05/15/2005 | 30000 | 2 | 11/11/2002 |
| Tl*- the contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving the 2002 pontiac trans am with 30000 failure mileage and 59100 failure mileage at 50 mph, she b lost control of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, who determined that she needed to have the rack and pinion steering tightened up. the rack and pinion had been tightened up on may/2005 and march 2007. also, the vehicle jerked after pressing on the brake pedal. the current mileage was 60,088.*ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER | |||
| 08/05/2004 | 9861 | 3 | |
| 2002 trans am jerks when brakes are applied. mechanic determined the rotors were warped. *ts the dealer stated the calipers are hard hitting which warps the rotors. it is a know problem and a defect. the window motor was replaced and the inside light above the handle was inoperative. *jb | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 04/05/2004 | 20000 | 2 | 03/30/2002 |
| I have had two vehicles of different year models with the same issues. he first was a 1999 pontiac trans am heavy brake shudder after only 20000 miles.the dealership stated the rotor was warped and turned it.*ak the problem re ocurred after aprox 20k more miles but by then was out of warranty.i also had issues with the rear window defroster, the dealrship attempted to repair it 3 times with no success. i traded that vehicle in for a 2002 firebird firehawk. 22k miles and guess what, the brakes shudder. took it to the same dealership, they said rotors are warped and turned them, even after i explained to the service rep. that i had previous issues and the repair didnt last. i also showed him the defroster issue but told him i would not allow them to touch it due to their failure at repairing it on the 1999, and that those attempts resulted in a damaged console. he offered to wash my car next time i was in. there wont be a next time at that dealership i find it hard to swallow that there arent any service bulletins on these two matters after owning two different year models with the same issues | |||
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST - HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS | |||
| 01/10/2002 | 1 | 10/25/2001 | |
| Power steering hose clamps are shipped with a pin in place, the pin is supposed to be removed by the installer upon installation, the pin was not removed causing the hose to fall off and loss of all power steering fluid and the ability to steer. *jg | |||
| STEERING - RACK AND PINION | |||
| 05/15/2005 | 30000 | 2 | 11/11/2002 |
| Tl*- the contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving the 2002 pontiac trans am with 30000 failure mileage and 59100 failure mileage at 50 mph, she b lost control of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, who determined that she needed to have the rack and pinion steering tightened up. the rack and pinion had been tightened up on may/2005 and march 2007. also, the vehicle jerked after pressing on the brake pedal. the current mileage was 60,088.*ak | |||
| STRUCTURE | |||
| 09/01/2008 | 49000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 11/12/2003 | 5 | 11/10/2002 | |
| Driver's side window leaks. *mr *scc *jb | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY - ROOF AND PILLARS | |||
| 03/01/2006 | 25000 | 1 | 09/03/2002 |
| I own a 2002 pontiac trans am. the sail panel between the t-tops and the rear window is defective. there are bubbles that look like rust spots in the paint going in a straight line across the sail panel. gm is aware of the problem and has even issued a service bulletin to it's dealers on how to fix the problem. however, the dealerships will not acknowledge the problem and owners are faced with paying out of pocket to have the problem fixed. if gm knows there is a problem, ie. the epoxy used is causing air bubbles through the paint, then they should issue a recall on the vehicles to have them fixed. also, the recall on the 2002 firebirds relating to the structural damage, i have never received notice of this recall. *tr | |||
| SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING | |||
| 11/15/2005 | 41580 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| TIRES | |||
| 07/11/2008 | 128000 | 1 | |
| Tire separation -- of 4 tires with the same dot 3 either show signs of separation or separated and caused an accident.*tr | |||
| 10/15/2003 | 1 | 02/19/2003 | |
| The tires are the wrong size for this vehicle according to the owner's manual. the consumer has falken 225/50r/16 m+s tubeless tires, when the owner's manual states that the tire size should be 245/50/16. the consumer has contacted the dealership. *ak | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
| 07/14/2002 | 16095 | 1 | |
| Four times this morning, my throttle went wide open mid-shift. when i pressed the clutch, the car redlined, and would not come down. i had to turn off the car and coast to a safe location each time. twice, on restart, the car redlined. there was nothing interfering with the accelerator pedal, cruise control was off, and upon opening the hood after the fourth time, the throttle body was closed.*ak | |||
| VISIBILITY - POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | |||
| 08/05/2004 | 9861 | 3 | |
| 2002 trans am jerks when brakes are applied. mechanic determined the rotors were warped. *ts the dealer stated the calipers are hard hitting which warps the rotors. it is a know problem and a defect. the window motor was replaced and the inside light above the handle was inoperative. *jb | |||
| 07/06/2002 | 5000 | 12 | 04/18/2002 |
| Car started having problems after being purchased two months brand new. multiple electric problems, fuses constantly burning out and are replaced, all power options failed, crackling noise from under the dash, groaning/grinding noise from under engine compartment, wheel balance issues, left blinker constantly malfunctions, right headlamp always burning out, battery acid leaked all over after only have the car a few months, was getting 30+ miles to a gallon, now gets <8 miles to a gallon, interior door panel split, poor customer service, issued a complaint with gmc - they noted me as a dissatisfied customer, defog vent does not work in driver's side a-pillar. there is more, but i don't have my log and receipts with me. *jb | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ | GOODYEAR | YATES PONTIAC | ||
| FL | FORT WALTON BEACH | 32548 | LEE PONTIAC | |
| FL | FT MYERS | GALEANA PONTIAC | ||
| FL | LIGHTHOUSE POINT | 33064 | SHEEHAN PONTIAC-GMC, INC | |
| MD | GLEN BURNIE | 21060 | SWANSON AUTOMOTIVE | 410 768 4400 |
| NC | MT. AIRY | MICHAELS AUTO | ||
| NC | WILMINGTON | 28403 | BOBKING PONTIAC GMC, INC. | 910-799-3520 |
| NV | HENDERSON | 89014 | DESERT PONTIAC | 702-558-3300 |
| OH | SALEM | 44460 | STADIUM OLDS PONTIAC | 3303373488 |
| TX | ARLINGTON | BUZ POST | 8174671234 | |
| TX | DALLAS | 75209 | SEWELL VILLAGE PONTIAC-GMC | |
| TX | NEW BROWN FLING | WORLD COM | 830-606-4200 | |
| TX | SAN ANTONIO | PARK PLACE PONTIAC | ||
| WA | OAK HARBOR | 98277 | FRONTIER PONTIAC CHEVROLET |