2005 Pontiac Grand Prix: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 148 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 148 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2022
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2022
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2021
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2019
“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”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2019
“"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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2014. GM's number for this recall is 14350.
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 THE STEERING KNUCKLE BREAKING IN THE HUB AREA.
Remedy: DORMAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE STEERING KNUCKLES FREE OF CHARGE AND REIMBURSE THE REPAIR FACILITY OR OWNER FOR LABOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DORMAN'S TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 1-800-523-2492 AND PRESS 5.
How other years compare
Check your exact Grand Prix 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 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix reliable?
NHTSA has 148 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The most complained-about area is electrical system (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,290 miles or less.
Does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.