PONTIAC GRAND PRIX · model year

2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

209 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005PONTIACGRAND PRIX carries 209 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 17 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 GRAND PRIX is electrical system with 41 filings, followed by power train (23) and power train:automatic transmission (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2005 GRAND PRIX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

209
Complaints
17
Crashes
6
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

209 filings

Crashes Reported

17 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM41
POWER TRAIN23
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION18
STEERING17
ENGINE14
SERVICE BRAKES11
AIR BAGS10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM3
TIRES3
WHEELS3
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES3

Recalls (2)

09E00500017/02/2009

STEERING

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

14V40000003/07/2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agen

Recent Complaints

20250213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact asked his daughter to remove the keychains and lanyards from the key. The vehicle was started after removing the lanyards and keychains. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20220802POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that it was difficult to shift the vehicle into gear. There was an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the transmission fluid was flushed and refilled. The contact was also informed that a spacer was missing. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20220515UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Other unknown motor vehicles are in the same area and and different times of day monitoring my vehicle. I get car washed and park I return I have spray on the sides, hood, and directly in front of glass.

20220510ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owned a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V400000 (Electrical System) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as she does no longer own the vehicle. There was no further information provided.

20210419ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR WILL NOT ALWAYS START. HAVE TO TURN THE KEY MANY TIMES AND THEN IT FINALLY STARTS. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP AND THEN SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY MANY TIMES TO START.

20210419UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CAR WILL NOT ALWAYS START. HAVE TO TURN THE KEY MANY TIMES AND THEN IT FINALLY STARTS. SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT UP AND THEN SOMETIMES I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY MANY TIMES TO START.

20210129VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH UP TO 70 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REDUCED RNGINE LIGHT VOMES ON AND THE CAR STARTS DECELERATING TO 5 MPH AND SOMETIMES CUTS OFF CAUSING POWER STEERING TO NOT WORK. THIS STARTED AFTER THE WORKED ON YHE IGNITION RECALL. I ASKED ABOUT IT AND WAS CHARGED $75 FIR THEM TO PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER. THEN WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE OVER $700 FOR THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY SO L LET IT SIT UP FOR AWHILE ONLY TO BE YOLD IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE GAS PEDAL AND WOULDN'T COST THAT MUCH TO REPLACE... I'VE ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BEFORE L COULD PULL OVER. IF IT CUTS OFF COMPLETELY IT CRANKS RIGHT BACK UP - SOMETIMES OT WILL TAKE ON OFF BUT OTHER TIMES L HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT BECAUSE IT WON'T ACCELERATE NO FASTER THAN 2 TO 5 MPH, LIKE SOMETHING HAS TO CATCH UP. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED YET BECAUSE L CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Mileage: 200,000

20210129STEERING

WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH UP TO 70 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE REDUCED RNGINE LIGHT VOMES ON AND THE CAR STARTS DECELERATING TO 5 MPH AND SOMETIMES CUTS OFF CAUSING POWER STEERING TO NOT WORK. THIS STARTED AFTER THE WORKED ON YHE IGNITION RECALL. I ASKED ABOUT IT AND WAS CHARGED $75 FIR THEM TO PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER. THEN WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE OVER $700 FOR THEM TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG. I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY SO L LET IT SIT UP FOR AWHILE ONLY TO BE YOLD IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE GAS PEDAL AND WOULDN'T COST THAT MUCH TO REPLACE... I'VE ALMOST HAD TWO ACCIDENTS BEFORE L COULD PULL OVER. IF IT CUTS OFF COMPLETELY IT CRANKS RIGHT BACK UP - SOMETIMES OT WILL TAKE ON OFF BUT OTHER TIMES L HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT BECAUSE IT WON'T ACCELERATE NO FASTER THAN 2 TO 5 MPH, LIKE SOMETHING HAS TO CATCH UP. I HAVEN'T GOTTEN IT FIXED YET BECAUSE L CAN'T AFFORD IT.

Mileage: 200,000

20190625FireENGINE

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN MY ENGINE STARTED SMOKING I PULLED OVER ADD A FRIEND WHO WAS IS MAYOR OF THE NEXT TOWN OVER TO LET IT COOL DOWN SO THAT I COULD LOOK TO SEE WHAT IT WAS WHEN I WALK TO THE GARAGE I TURNED AROUND AND LOOKED AND THERE WAS FLAMES SHOOTING UP FROM UNDER MY HOOD

Mileage: 168,000

20190204ENGINE

CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING

Mileage: 70,500

20190204STEERING

CAR SHUT OFF AND LOCKED STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING

Mileage: 70,500

20180301SERVICE BRAKES

"TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE WILL NOT GO IN DRIVE AS I WAS MOMMY WAY HOME IT WAS STUCK ON A CITY STREET FOR 2 MONTHS DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. ALSO MY MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GIVING OUT MY CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED FULLY IT JERKS AND SHAKES AS WELL IF I LAY MY FOOT ON THE GAS. MY BRAKES TOUCHES THE FLOOR BECAUSE MY BRAKE FLUIDS ARE LEAKING OUT.

Mileage: 112,078

20180301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE WILL NOT GO IN DRIVE AS I WAS MOMMY WAY HOME IT WAS STUCK ON A CITY STREET FOR 2 MONTHS DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. ALSO MY MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GIVING OUT MY CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED FULLY IT JERKS AND SHAKES AS WELL IF I LAY MY FOOT ON THE GAS. MY BRAKES TOUCHES THE FLOOR BECAUSE MY BRAKE FLUIDS ARE LEAKING OUT.

Mileage: 112,078

20180301ENGINE

"TAKATA RECALL" MY VEHICLE WILL NOT GO IN DRIVE AS I WAS MOMMY WAY HOME IT WAS STUCK ON A CITY STREET FOR 2 MONTHS DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. ALSO MY MY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS GIVING OUT MY CAR WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED FULLY IT JERKS AND SHAKES AS WELL IF I LAY MY FOOT ON THE GAS. MY BRAKES TOUCHES THE FLOOR BECAUSE MY BRAKE FLUIDS ARE LEAKING OUT.

Mileage: 112,078

20170316AIR BAGS

I'VE READ ONLINE THAT THE VEHICLE YEAR MODEL AND MAKE IS SET FOR RECALL BECAUSE OF FAULTY AIRBAGS. AIRBAGS THAT CAN DEPLOY SHARP OBJECTS CAUSING SERVER DAMAGE OR POSSIBLY DEATH. I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS INFORMATION.

20170213FireENGINE

PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT FROM JEFFREY WINGFIELD, P.E. DESCRIBING A VALVE COVER GASKET LEAK THAT CAUSED A FIRE.

Mileage: 150,000

20161114ENGINE

DURING HARD BRAKING, ENGINE OIL DRIPS ONTO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF BURNING OIL WHEN PARKING THE CAR AFTER DRIVING. THE VIN WAS ORIGINALLY LISTED AS BEING ELIGIBLE FOR NHTSA RECALL # 15V201, BUT A RECENT SEARCH DOES NOT LIST IT ANY LONGER EVEN THOUGH IT EXHIBITS THE CONDITION. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE RISK OF AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IF THIS IS NOT REPAIRED SOON.

Mileage: 171,850

20160903ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND SAID "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" I WAS PRESSING THE GAS GOING 55 MPH AND IT SUDDENLY LOST ALL RPMS AND SPEED DROPPED. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I WAS VERY UPSET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY SON. I WAS TOLD ABOUT MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH PONTIACS. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? AND IF NOTHING WHY? MY SON AND I WERE VERY LUCKY WE WEREN'T I'M AN ACCIDENT. WANT ANSWERS AND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL GETTING THESE CARS FIXED. IT IS VERY UNSAFE.

Mileage: 134,300

20160903POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND SAID "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" I WAS PRESSING THE GAS GOING 55 MPH AND IT SUDDENLY LOST ALL RPMS AND SPEED DROPPED. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING BEHIND ME. I WAS VERY UPSET ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY SON. I WAS TOLD ABOUT MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH PONTIACS. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS? AND IF NOTHING WHY? MY SON AND I WERE VERY LUCKY WE WEREN'T I'M AN ACCIDENT. WANT ANSWERS AND WHY THERE ISN'T A RECALL GETTING THESE CARS FIXED. IT IS VERY UNSAFE.

Mileage: 134,300

20160827SUSPENSION

LEFT FRONT LOWER FRONT CONTROL ARM STARTED TO COLLAPSE DUE TO SEVERE RUST THROUGH. THERE WAS NO WARNING, ONLY A SUDDEN CREAKING AND GROANING NOISE AND SONE DIFFICULTY TURNING THE WHEELS WHILE DRIVING HOME ON COUNTRY ROADS. EARLIER IN THE DAY, WE HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. IF THIS CONTROL ARM FULLY FRACTURED AT THAT SPEED WE WOULD HAVE LOST ALL STEERING ABILITY, THIS CAR HAS ONLY 26363 MILES ON IT.

Mileage: 26,363

Compare 2005PONTIACGRAND PRIX to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX have?
The 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX has 209 NHTSA complaints, 17 crashes, 6 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX?
Yes, the 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX?
The most-complained component for the 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 41 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.