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2005 Pontiac Grand Prix: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 148 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix[1]. The electrical system is named more than any other group, in 45 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these are the groups in the order of how often they appear.
- Electrical System. 45 complaints[2]. Owners describe warning messages about charging, a blower fan that cuts in and out, a horn that stops working, and the car stalling or shutting off while driving. Some stories add a locked steering wheel after the engine quit.
- Power Train. 40 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car losing power for a moment and then surging back, long lags when accelerating, rough or jerky shifting, and a car that would not move once put in gear.
- Steering. 24 complaints[6]. Owners describe odd noises when turning, low power steering fluid, and repairs to the steering column or rack that did not end the trouble.
- Engine. 20 complaints[7]. Owners describe stalling, hesitation and stumbling that returned after several shop visits. Some of these reports also mention fires[7].
- Brakes. 16 complaints[8]. This group includes crash and injury reports[8].
- Air Bags. 10 complaints[9]. This group includes crash and injury reports[9].
- Unknown Or Other. 7 complaints[10]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
- Structure. 6 complaints[11]. This is the smallest group on file[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2005 Grand Prix is necessarily included.
- Electrical System › Ignition (14V400), July 2014. About 5,877,718 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[13] | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 |
| Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,200 |
| Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[14] | 16 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 |
| Grand Prix, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR None[16].
How 2005 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 169 | 3 |
| 1996 | 79 | 1 |
| 1997 | 810 | 5 |
| 1998 | 499 | 4 |
| 1999 | 412 | 4 |
| 2000 | 461 | 5 |
| 2001 | 308 | 6 |
| 2002 | 330 | 3 |
| 2003 | 106 | 3 |
| 2004 | 454 | 7 |
| 2005 | 148 | 1 |
| 2006 | 239 | 1 |
| 2007 | 220 | 3 |
| 2008 | 143 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Grand Prix show 148 complaints and 1 recalls for 2005[3]. Among the 14 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2005 and 10 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 1996 (79) and the most are for 1997 (810)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2005 Grand Prix?
The complaint record for this Grand Prix is spread over many parts of the car, with electrical and power train reports leading the list[2][5]. Stalling and loss of power show up in more than one group, so it is worth asking a seller how the car behaves on the road[5][7]. The record is owner reports sent to NHTSA, and they are not verified[1]. A recall exists for this model year, and the Recalls section on this page lists it[3]. Look at the other sections here for fuel economy, crash ratings and year comparisons before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- Electrical System complaints lead with 45[2], followed by Power Train with 40[5]. Steering follows with 24[6].
- Is there a recall on the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- Yes, the by-year data shows a recall for this model year[3]. The Recalls section on this page has the details.
- How many complaints has the 2005 Grand Prix received?
- NHTSA has 148 owner complaints on file[1].
- How reliable is the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- The complaints are spread over electrical, power train, steering and engine groups[2][5][6][7]. These are unverified owner reports, so read them as a guide and not a score[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix
Compare all model years of the Pontiac Grand Prix
Other Pontiac models from 2005
Similar cars from 2005: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 148 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix (11 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 45 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Grand Prix model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Grand Prix, 3.8L 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
- 40 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,885). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 102,829). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,903). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V400, filed July 3, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Prix, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S4), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Grand Prix, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records