CarBrief

NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Grand Am, the fewest of any Grand Am model year in our data[1][2]. Electrical trouble leads the complaints, and an ignition switch recall can turn the engine off while driving[3][4].

102owner complaints[1]
2recalls[2]
21–25MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 102 complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 15 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

The biggest groups are:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Electrical system[3] 40 87,813
Engine[6] 12 97,500
Exterior lighting[7] 12 63,000
Fuel system, gasoline[8] 11 102,840
Air bags[9] 10 111,000
Steering[10] 8 99,786

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 7 describe starting trouble, ignition problems or a security or anti-theft light that keeps the car from starting. 4 describe power windows or door locks that stick or fail[3]. Two crashes are tied to this group[3].

Fuel system. In a sample of 11 fuel complaints we read, 9 mention a gasoline smell or fumes[8]. Some owners say a leaking fuel pressure regulator was the cause[8]. None of the fuel complaints reports a crash, a fire or an injury[8]. The two recalls listed below do not cover fuel parts[4][11].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 4 describe the car stalling or shutting off while driving, and 3 describe head gasket or intake manifold gasket repairs[6]. One engine complaint involves a fire[6].

Exterior lighting. In a sample of 12 lighting complaints, 10 describe turn signals or hazards that click, flicker, stick or stop working[7]. One text appears twice in that sample[7].

Air bags. This group has only 10 complaints, but 9 of them mention a crash and 4 mention an injury[9]. Our sample did not include air bag texts, so we can only report the counts.

Steering has 8 complaints, speed control 5 and visibility 5[10][12][13]. Those groups are small.

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2005 Grand Am[2]. Newest first[4][11]:

Fuel economy

EPA lists two engines for this year, both with an automatic 4-speed, regular gas and front-wheel drive:

Engine City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2.2L 4-cylinder[5] 22 31 25 $2,700
3.4L 6-cylinder[14] 18 27 21 $3,200

The 4-cylinder is rated 4 mpg better combined[5][14]. EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA has not rated the 2005 Grand Am in its 5-Star Safety Ratings, in either the 2-door or the 4-door body style[15][16]. Crash-related complaint counts are in the problems section above.

Engine and size

The two EPA engines are a 2.2L 4-cylinder[5] and a 3.4L 6-cylinder[14].

Size figures below are for the 2-door coupe GT and are Canadian-market specifications, converted from metric[17]. A US car can differ slightly.

Measure Value
Length 186 in
Width 70 in
Height 55 in
Wheelbase 107 in
Curb weight 3,124 lb

All values are from[17].

How 2005 compares with other years

1995: 409 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 450 complaints, 4 recalls19961997: 383 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 172 complaints, 1 recalls19981999: 849 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 675 complaints, 5 recalls20002001: 538 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 395 complaints, 1 recalls20022003: 325 complaints, 2 recalls20032004: 293 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 102 complaints, 2 recalls1022005
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Grand Am model year. The 2005 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954091
19964504
19973832
19981721
19998493
20006755
20015384
20023951
20033252
20042932
20051022

NHTSA data covers Grand Am model years 1995 to 2005[2]. The 2005 model year has the fewest complaints of those 11 years, at 102[2]. The next lowest is 1998 with 172, and the highest is 1999 with 849[2].

For recalls, 2005 has 2[2]. The 2000 model year has the most with 5, and 1996 and 2001 have 4 each[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so compare only with other Grand Am years.

Should you buy a used 2005 Grand Am?

By the numbers, this is the lowest-complaint year of the Grand Am in our data[2]. That does not make it trouble free. Electrical complaints lead the list[3], and in the sample we read, owners describe starting and security-light problems and gasoline smells[3][8]. Make sure the ignition switch and rear suspension recall work was done, and ask for proof[4][11]. With no NHTSA crash rating[15][16], this is a car to judge on its condition and records, so test every window, lock and turn signal and notice any fuel smell on a cold start.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am?
Electrical system is the biggest complaint group with 40 of 102 complaints[3][1]. In the sample we read, owners describe starting and security-light trouble[3].
Does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two: an ignition switch recall, 14V400, and a rear suspension bolt recall, 05V054[4][11].
What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Pontiac Grand Am?
EPA rates the 2.2L at 22 city, 31 highway and 25 combined mpg, and the 3.4L at 18, 27 and 21[5][14].
Is the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am reliable?
It has the fewest complaints of any Grand Am year in our data, at 102[2]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so check the car's own history.
Which Pontiac Grand Am year has the fewest complaints?
Among 1995 to 2005, the 2005 model year, with 102 complaints[2]. The 1998 year is next with 172[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 102 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am (15 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Grand Am model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 40 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,813). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 14V400, filed July 3, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Grand Am, 2.2L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 12 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 12 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 11 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,840). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 10 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 111,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 8 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,786). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 05V054, filed February 14, 2005: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
  12. 5 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 5 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Grand Am, 3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND AM 2DR COUPE FWD /GT: length 186 in, width 70 in, height 55 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,124 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.