RoadVitals

2005 Pontiac Grand Am Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
40
Latest Apr 24, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
39%
of 102 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 40 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 40, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Apr 24, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11322195
Incident
Nov 2, 2019
Mileage
98,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 8, 2019

THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS A PASS LOCK RESET IS PERFORMED.

NHTSA ID
11184999
Incident
Feb 18, 2019
Mileage
219,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 2, 2019

ALL LIGHTING COMES ON BUT CAR WILL NOT START. AFTER IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FOR A WHILE, THEN IT WILL NOT START

NHTSA ID
11183689
Incident
Feb 18, 2019
Mileage
219,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND INTERMITTENTLY. IF THE STEERING WHEEL WERE IN A STRAIGHT POSITION, THE HORN WOULD WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 124,000.

NHTSA ID
11161154
Incident
Dec 1, 2018
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 11, 2018

DURING STARTING OR REGULAR DRIVING, THE SECURITY LIGHT WILL COME ON. SOON AFTER, THE CAR MAY SHUT DOWN OR WILL NOT START AT THE NEXT IGNITION CYCLE. THIS IS DUE TO A WIDELY-KNOWN FAILED PASSLOCK OR VATS SYSTEM. IT IS NOT DUE TO USER ERROR, AND IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IF NOT FATAL AT THE WRONG TIME.

NHTSA ID
11101258
Incident
Jun 10, 2018
Mileage
116,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2017

"TAKATA INFLATE" MY CAR HAS TO GET A BOOST DAILY BUT ONCE AND NOW IT WHEN CAR IS IN THE ON POSTION IT WILL NOT MAKE A SOUND BUT ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS COME .IF YOU TURN ON HEAD LIGHTS INSIDE PANEL WILL NOT COME BUT TURN OFF LIGHTSOR TAKE OUT KEY IT WILL LIGHT UP ON THE PANEL

NHTSA ID
11033104
Incident
Oct 12, 2017
Electrical
Filed Jan 4, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY FELL OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. A YEAR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10939615
Incident
Oct 6, 2015
Mileage
105,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 2, 2016

WILL NOT TURN OVER UNLESS YOU LEAVE THE KEY ON FOR 8 MINUTES-PASS LOCK ISSUE I AM TOLD AND IS QUITE PREVALENT.....WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL????

NHTSA ID
10872181
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10818746
Incident
Jan 6, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE LOCK IGNITION CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10817503
Incident
Dec 31, 2015
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10808071
Incident
Nov 27, 2015
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 5, 2015
Crash reported

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*LJ 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. *JS

NHTSA ID
10779733
Incident
Oct 2, 2015
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 19, 2015

CAR WOULD NOT START AND MECHANIC ADVISED SECURITY SYSTEM WAS NOT ALLOWING IGNITION. REQUIRED A "SECURITY RELEARN PROCEDURE".

NHTSA ID
10726139
Incident
Jun 18, 2015
Mileage
85,627 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10722769
Incident
Jun 15, 2010
Mileage
167,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 13, 2015

2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL REPAIR WORK AND CONSUMER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10703678
Incident
May 28, 2010
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Nov 17, 2014
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND THE POWER BRAKES TO FAIL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE GUARDRAIL AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10658688
Incident
Nov 6, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 12, 2014

THE CAR ALWAYS HAD STARTING PROBLEMS I REPLACED THE IGNITION SENSOR, AND THE STARTER. SOMETIMES IT TAKE 3 OR 4 TIMES TO START THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654322
Incident
May 7, 2013
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2014

2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE NOT STARTING AND SHUTTING DOWN. *TGW A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, REPLACED THE CRANK SENSOR AND IGNITION SWITCH. A YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, WHERE THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED. ON MARCH 7, 2014, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP AGAIN, WHERE THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10644082
Incident
Sep 13, 2014
Electrical
Filed Oct 6, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10641637
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Electrical
Filed Sep 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. WHEN THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE SECURITY SENSOR RANDOMLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS IGNITION FAILURE THAT TRIGGERED THE SECURITY SENSOR. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V400000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10631980
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
ElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 1, 2014

THE IGNITION OFTEN SLIPS INTO ACCESSORY MODE AND MY CAR WILL BE DEAD THE NEXT MORNING. VERY ANNOYING. THE GEAR SHIFT WILL ALSO SHIFT IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY KNOCK IT WHILE DRIVING EVEN WITHOUT PRESSING THE BUTTON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10607628
Incident
Jan 2, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed May 17, 2014

I HAD SEVERAL TIMES I WOULD BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND EVEN THE HIGHWAY IT HAS DIED ON ME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR LOCKS COME UNLOCK THAT I KNEW THE CAR DIED. WHEN I AM DRIVING MY FLASHERS ON MY CAR CONTINUE TO MAKE A TICKING NOISE. WHEN I TRY TO START THE CAR SOMETIMES I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS AND I HAD ALREADY HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED. WHEN I START IT I HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SERVICE ENGINE SOON BEFORE I CAN START IT. SOMETIMES I BE DRIVING AND MY HEADLIGHTS WILL GO DIM AND I TURN IT UP AS FAR AND BRIGHT . IT STILL DON'T WORK. *JS

NHTSA ID
10592083
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
97,500 mi
Electrical
Filed May 12, 2014

IGNITION SWITCH IT STICK AND SOMETIME DOSE NOT WANT TO TURN OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10587897
Incident
May 2, 2013
Mileage
115,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2014

MY CAR WOULD NOT START. WHEN THIS HAPPENED ,HAD TO TURN KEY TO ACC AND LET IT SIT FOR 9 TO 10 MINUTES. FLASHING SECURITY LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND CAR WOULD START. I CALLED GM ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THERE HAD NOT BEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO DO A RECALL. WHEN YOU HAVE A 89 YEAR OLD MOTHER IN THE CAR AND IT IS 90 OR 32 DEGREES IT IS A PROBLEM. I POSTED ON THEIR PAGE ABOUT IT AND WHY GM IS NOT A CAR TO BUY. THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT PEOPLE! IF YOU GOOGLE IT THERE ARE STORIES ABOUT IT FROM OTHERS WHO HAVE (HAD)THE PROBLEM. YOU HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER SWITCH PUT IN, WHICH I DID. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568095
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Electrical
Filed May 26, 2013

SECURITY SYSTEM FAILURE- ACCORDING TO A >120 PAGE ONLINE FORUM, MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING A PASSLOCK FAILURE. I TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, NOTHING HAPPENS, THE CAR DOES NOT START. THEN, IN THE SAME DAY, I CAN TRY STARTING THE CAR AGAIN, AND IT WILL START. THE NEXT DAY, SAME THING, TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10513583
Incident
Mar 3, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .