Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the coil pack was melting and the contact had to use excessive force to remove the key from the ignition switch. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred once. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,927.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The driver was unable to get the vehicle under control and the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. There was no police report filed and no injuries. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the emergency brake was applied. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the throttle body failed and the entire electronic system fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V400000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
We returned home from grocery shopping and as we were bringing groceries in, my wife could smell something burning. She thought at first it was the neighbors burning trash but then noticed that the smell was coming from the garage. She seen smoke coming from under the hood. She opened the hood and seen small flames. She quickly extinguished the fire. I pulled the car outside to investigate and as I was disassembling the cars front lighting system, the fog light electrical system was melted and the plastic on the larger light fixture was melted also. I did take photos of the damage.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14v40000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 6/11/15 the consumer stated the brakes and steering would locked up. Updated 07/07/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH with the heater activated, a strong burning odor and a massive amount off white smoke suddenly emitted throughout the vehicle. The contact drove to a nearby service station, where the fire department extinguished a fire underneath the front passengers side instrument panel area. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,300.
"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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Grand Prix years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix, 30% of the model year's 148 complaints. The component named most often is horn (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-400 (ignition, Jul 3, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.