2005 Pontiac Grand AM Problems & Complaints

Better than average84% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand AM at the same age

Owners have filed 102 complaints about the 2005 Pontiac Grand AM with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 84% fewer than a typical Grand AM model year at the same age, making the 2005 one of the better Grand AM years. The most reported problem area is the electrical system (40 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

102complaints
2recalls
15crashes
1fires
7injuries
1deaths

Most common 2005 Pontiac Grand AM problems

  • Electrical system~90,000 miles
    4039%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~111,000 miles
    1515%
  • Lights~60,000 miles
    1313%
  • Engine & cooling~98,000 miles
    1212%
  • Air bags~111,000 miles
    1010%
  • Steering~100,000 miles
    88%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~82,000 miles
    77%
  • Speed control & acceleration~39,000 miles
    55%
  • Stability & traction control~83,000 miles
    55%
  • Body & structure~88,000 miles
    44%
  • Other / not specified~100,000 miles
    44%
  • Locks & latches~41,000 miles
    33%
  • Seat belts~116,000 miles
    33%
  • Suspension~104,000 miles
    33%
  • Seats~23,000 miles
    22%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~136,000 miles
    22%
  • Brakes~49,000 miles
    22%
  • Equipment & accessories~30,000 miles
    11%
  • A/C & heater
    11%

Share of the 102 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Pontiac Grand AM complaints by model year

19951996199719981999200020012002200320042005409450383172849675538395325293102
Owner complaints per model year, Pontiac Grand AM. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Grand AM years: 2005, 1998, 2004. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000. Compare all years →

2005 Pontiac Grand AM recalls (2)

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 14V-400 · Jul 3, 2014 · 5,877,718 vehicles

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.

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.

Suspension › Rear

NHTSA recall 05V-054 · Feb 14, 2005 · 9,402 vehicles

Certain passenger vehicles equipped with rear suspension knuckle bolts that are not to specification and could fracture under high loads that can occur in some driving conditions.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear suspension knuckle bolts free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2005. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

What 2005 Pontiac Grand AM owners say

Electrical system all 40 →

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand AM. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled and crashed into a curb. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system) however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to start after numerous attempts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. Updated 02/26/16 the consumer stated the vehicle was difficult to start after being parked for extended periods of time. The consumer stated the failures began to occur after having a safety recall repair completed.

105,000 miles · Oct 2015 · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed that the key moved from the on position to the off position. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

98,000 miles · Nov 2019

Fuel & propulsion system

When I took my foot off the accelerator pedal, the pedal stuck and did not return back up. Instead it stayed down as though it was still being depressed causing the engine to rev. I had to physically grab the accelerator pedal and pull it towards me to try and return it back to its normal position. This happened on several occasions and I had to have the entire accelerator assembly replaced, I called GM only to be told that the recall on this known problem was for the 03 Grand AM models, not the 05 models. I wonder how many people have to die before GM decides they are better off financially to recall the 05 models?

118,000 miles · Oct 2014

I took my car in for the recall last Wednesday, October 29, 2014 after receiving the notice to a GM dealership here in denver, co to fix the ignition problem in the recall. I was told by the service center they cant fix the problem with my ignition without the original set of Pontiac keys from the manufacturer. I bought this car from drivetime dealership in aurora in 2011, and the sets of keys that I received for the car were cut keys from the local hardware store. Right now I cant get this fixed, this car is dangerous to drive, the fuel line shuts down at any given random time. Im making payments on a car I cant drive, its unsafe. I was hoping the recall would fix this problem. …

111,000 miles · Nov 2014

Lights

In many occasions I had a couple of incidents, one because of a yellow pole and another because of an object in the freeway. And the air bag wouldn't deployed. I paid for the repairs and I AM still driving this car. After reading the letter I received I have come to one understanding that is that the car isn't safe. What is you recommendation on my concerns.

36,000 miles · Sep 2008 · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand AM. Without warning, the turn signal and hazard lights failed to work. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no permanent remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

200,000 miles · Jan 2016

2005 Pontiac Grand AM engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.2L 4-cyl4-speed automaticFWD22 / 31 / 25
3.4L 6-cyl4-speed automaticFWD18 / 27 / 21

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Pontiac Grand AM a good car?

Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Grand AM rates better than average: 84% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Grand AM at the same age. It is one of the best Grand AM years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Pontiac Grand AM?

The electrical system — 40 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (15) and lights (13).

How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Grand AM have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2005 Pontiac Grand AM, the most recent from July 3, 2014 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Grand AM?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005, 1998 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999 and 2000. See the full Pontiac Grand AM years comparison.

At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac Grand AM problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.