2005 Pontiac GRAND AM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
102 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
83,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 79 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 30 of 102 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 17.6% |
| Braking behavior | 10 | 9.8% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 9.8% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 7.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 5.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 10 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 9 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
Electrical System: 30; Engine: 10; Exterior Lighting: 10; Air Bags: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline: 9; Steering: 7; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (25). 23 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 12 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 7; 2007: 6; 2008: 12; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 9; 2012: 4; 2013: 1; 2014: 27; 2015: 9; 2016: 6; 2017: 3; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10135459 · 2005-09-06 (September 6, 2005)
DT: 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONSUMER STATES WHEN HITTING A TELEPHONE POLE AT 55 MPH THE BATTERY THAT WAS BEING STORED IN THE TRUNK COME THROUGH THE BACK SEAT. THIS WAS NOT A FOLD DOWN SEAT. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT THE SEAT WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH DURING A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THERE WAS A CRASH BUT NOT AS A RESULT OF THE BATTERY COMING THROUGH THE SEAT.*AK UPDATED 11/30/2005 - THE BATTERY LANDED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10165233 · 2006-08-11 (August 11, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE, THE IGNITION WIRES FROM THE STARTER TO THE IGNITION SWITCH MUST BE RUBBED TOGETHER TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 00V287000 REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: STARTER ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 153,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10165233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090096 · 2004-08-31 (August 31, 2004)
VEHICLE ACCELERATED UPON PARKING NEAR A STOP WITH FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND ON BRAKE PEDAL. CAR JUMPED OVER PARKING BUMP AND HIT A VEHICLES. NO FATALITIES OR INJURIES REPORTED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10090096 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10128603 · 2005-07-13 (July 13, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, SHE CRASHED INTO AN APARTMENT. THE SPEED WAS NO MORE THAN 5-10 MPH. WHEN SHE HIT THE BRAKE THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10128603 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225215 · 2008-04-21 (April 21, 2008)
THERE IS AN INTERMEDIATE BLINKER NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH BOARD, WHEN THE BLINKERS ARE NOT ON. OCCASIONALLY THE BLINKERS BECOME STUCK. I'VE ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I'VE TRIED REPLACING THE BLINKERS AND HAZARD FUSES, BUT THIS HAS NOT HELPED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 73,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10225215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243489 · 2008-09-26 (September 26, 2008)
MY GRAND AM HAS A DEFECTIVE TURN SIGNAL, JUST AS THE 00-01 MODELS DID. THE TURN SIGNAL HAS MALFUNCTIONED THAT LEAD TO FLICKERING OR TOTAL FAILURE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IT IS CONSTANTLY FLICKERING, IT WILL NOT STOP, I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE MY STEERING WHEEL IS SMOKING BECAUSE OF THIS MY AIRBAG COULD EXPLODE IN MY FACE, WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY A FIRESTONE TECHNICIAN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243489 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172087 · 2006-10-29 (October 29, 2006)
PONTIAC GRAND AM 2005, I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN JUNE 2006. SINCE JUNE I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I HAD TO HAVE THE WINDOW LOCK PANEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REATTACHED, BECAUSE IT FELL OUT. THE ENGINE STALLS AND WON'T START HALF THE TIME. DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LEAKS AIR CONSTANTLY, AND WATER WHEN IT RAINS. BRAKES DON'T ALWAYS STOP AND MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. ALSO SOMETIME ACCELERATES WHEN HITTING BRAKE. ENGINE MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING IT. CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS EVERY NOW AND THEN, …
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10446399 · 2012-02-03 (February 3, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP REGULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR PRIOR, THE VEHICLE STALLED RIGHT AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 119,764 miles reported. Look up ODI 10446399 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208986 · 2007-11-15 (November 15, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. A FUEL LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM PRESSURE REGULATOR. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY: PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES). THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE SMELLED FUEL UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL REGULATOR WAS SAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208986 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211865 · 2007-12-13 (December 13, 2007)
VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. HAZARDOUS TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD, OUT OF NO WHERE. LIGHTS ON DASH GO CRAZY AND VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED GOT TOWED TO A SHOP SAID THERE IS POSSIBLE LEAKING OF THE FUEL TANK, ALSO SUGGESTED TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP, THEN DECIDED THAT WAS NOT NEEDED AND REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. VEHICLE WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS, BUT COULD STILL SMELL FUMES OF GAS WHEN FIRST STARTED CAR, THIS SMELL BEGAN FIRST WEEK I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. SECOND TIME WAS TWO DAYS AGO ON THE HIGHWAY ONC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10211865 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174707 · 2006-11-29 (November 29, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE SHIFT INDICATOR WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Owner-reported narrative. 136,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225217 · 2008-04-21 (April 21, 2008)
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION SWITCH, WITH THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK. SOMETIMES GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK UNTIL A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING CAR. HAD THE GEAR SHIFT REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM PERSISTED. ISN'T AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM IN WARM WEATHER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10225217 at NHTSA ↗