2005 Pontiac Grand Am Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical4029.2%
- Fuel system1510.9%
- Exterior lighting128.8%
- Engine128.8%
- Driver assistance107.3%
- Airbags107.3%
- Steering85.8%
- Visibility75.1%
- Interior & seats75.1%
- Body & structure42.9%
- Seat belts32.2%
- Suspension32.2%
- Brakes21.5%
- Heating & air conditioning10.7%
- Powertrain (other)10.7%
- Transmission10.7%
- Other / unspecified10.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE CAR WILL NOT START UNLESS A PASS LOCK RESET IS PERFORMED.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PEDAL STUCK AND DID NOT RETURN BACK UP. INSTEAD IT STAYED DOWN AS THOUGH IT WAS STILL BEING DEPRESSED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV. I HAD TO PHYSICALLY GRAB THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PULL IT TOWARDS ME TO TRY AND RETURN IT BACK TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THIS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED, I CALLED GM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE RECALL ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM WAS FOR THE 03 GRAND AM MODELS, NOT THE 05 MODELS. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE GM DECIDES THEY ARE BETTER OFF FINANCIALLY TO RECALL THE 05 MODELS? *TR
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SMELL OF FUEL FUMES A LADY THAT I SPOKE TO STATED THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE. FOR MY MAKE AND MODEL BUT NOT MY VIN NUMBER THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR A SITUATION DUE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. GIVEN MY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES I HAVE TO CHARTER ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND I'VE BEEN PLACE UNDER NON VEHICLE COMPLIANCE DUE TO THE STRONG ODOR OF GAS ENTERING MY VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE MY 2 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES WHICH FOR ME THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. AGAIN THERE'S HAVE BEEN OVER 500 VEHICLES OF MY MAKE AND MODEL WHO'S HAS FILED COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITUATION AND HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THOSE VEHICLES. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THERE IS A CLICKING SOUND LIKE THE SIGNAL LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. WITH OUT HAVING THE SIGNAL IS NOT ON. WE HAVE REPLACED THE MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH AND THE HAZARD SWITCH. THIS HAS NOT TAKEN CARE OF THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE ALSO SEEN SMOKE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN TWO DIFFERENT TIMES, ONCE BEFORE REPLACING MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH ONE AFTER, THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE DASH. HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE TAIL LIGHTS, SOMETIMES THE WORKED OTHERS NOT. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE IDLING ROUGHLY AND DECELERATING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE MISFIRED; HOWEVER, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFCATURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I'M NOT SURE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS, MEDIA COVERAGE MADE THE LOCAL ISSUES IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO.
WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PEDAL STUCK AND DID NOT RETURN BACK UP. INSTEAD IT STAYED DOWN AS THOUGH IT WAS STILL BEING DEPRESSED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV. I HAD TO PHYSICALLY GRAB THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND PULL IT TOWARDS ME TO TRY AND RETURN IT BACK TO ITS NORMAL POSITION. THIS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE ACCELERATOR ASSEMBLY REPLACED, I CALLED GM ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE RECALL ON THIS KNOWN PROBLEM WAS FOR THE 03 GRAND AM MODELS, NOT THE 05 MODELS. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE GM DECIDES THEY ARE BETTER OFF FINANCIALLY TO RECALL THE 05 MODELS? *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER IMPACT AND NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,480.
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.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL N140350 OCTOBER ,2019 IGNITION STOP WORKING WHILE ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO GET TOWED. WON'T TURN ANYMORE I ALMOST CRASH BECAUSE OF IT.
* THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS * I HAVE A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM I HAD THE RACK CHANGED AS THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING RACK & PINION TO THE FRAME HAD BROKE AT THE WELD AS WELL AS THE FRONT PART OF WHERE STEERING RACK & PINION ATTACH TO THE FRAME SO I TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC HE PUT A BRAND NEW RACK IN THE CAR AS WELL AS A NEW FRAME NOW ABOUT 4 1/2 MONTHS LATER (LAST WEEK) NOTICED VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY, MY WIFE HAD THAN WENT AND PICKED THE 2 GIRLS UP FROM SCHOOL AND ON THE WAY HOME SHE MADE A TURN TO PULL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WOULDN'T STEER AT ALL I DID GET THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD JACKED IT UP AND NOTICED THAT YET AGAIN THE FRAME ( WHICH IS ONLY 4 1/2 MONTHS OLD )WAS BROKE IN THE FRONT WHERE THE RACK ATTACHES TO THE FRAME WAS SNAPPED RIGHT OFF AND THE BACK ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES ARE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AS WELL AS THE THE STABILIZER BAR BOLT AND BUSHING THAT ATTACH IT TO THE CONTROL ARE WERE COMPLETELY GONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAVE NOW HAVE TO SEND THE VEHICLE YET AGAIN TO THE MECHANIC FOR REPAIR I HAVE HAD THE CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AS WELL AS ALL BUSHING ETC.. IN CASE THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN TWISTED, OUTTER & INNER TIE RODS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AS WELL AS FRONT STRUTS AND 4 BRAND NEW TIRES AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR WINDOWNS IN THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 50 MPH WHEN I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWING DOWN. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING AS THEY SHOULD. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM IN THE PAST DAYS AND IT SEEMED TO COME OUT OF NOWHERE. THE CAR DID NOT STOP BECAUSE THE BRAKES SEEMED TO HAVE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN INCLUDING THE POWER BREAK. SO I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED. SOME WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FOR MY CAR (RECALL 14350). IT STATES THAT IF I HAVE ANY WEIGHT ADDED ON TO MY KEY RING IT MIGHT MOVE MY KEY FROM THE "RUN" POSITION. BY THAT HAPPENING, MANY THINGS WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. ONE OF THEM BEING THE POWER BRAKE. WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH, AND IN MY CASE I WAS. IF I HAD BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL BEFORE I WOULD'VE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED ANY EXTRA WEIGHT ON MY KEY RING TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES THAT MY DEALER WILL FIX THE DEFECT BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IS TOO LATE SINCE MY CAR IS TOTALED AND MY INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER THE DAMAGE. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO SINCE CLEARLY THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FAILED TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,355.
MY TURN SIGNALS WOULDN'T TURN OFF AND THEY JUST CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK. IT COST ME OVER $300.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I WAS NEVER AWARE OF ANY RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. I HAVE READ THE DIFFERENT COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I HAD. THESE CARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IF THE WERE, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR WHAT I PAID TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM SOLVED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN MANY OCCASIONS I HAD A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS, ONE BECAUSE OF A YELLOW POLE AND ANOTHER BECAUSE OF AN OBJECT IN THE FREEWAY. AND THE AIR BAG WOULDN'T DEPLOYED. I PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND I AM STILL DRIVING THIS CAR. AFTER READING THE LETTER I RECEIVED I HAVE COME TO ONE UNDERSTANDING THAT IS THAT THE CAR ISN'T SAFE. WHAT IS YOU RECOMMENDATION ON MY CONCERNS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT AROUND 50 MPH WHEN I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN DUE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWING DOWN. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT SEEM TO BE WORKING AS THEY SHOULD. I HAD NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEM IN THE PAST DAYS AND IT SEEMED TO COME OUT OF NOWHERE. THE CAR DID NOT STOP BECAUSE THE BRAKES SEEMED TO HAVE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN INCLUDING THE POWER BREAK. SO I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MY CAR WAS TOTALED. SOME WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FOR MY CAR (RECALL 14350). IT STATES THAT IF I HAVE ANY WEIGHT ADDED ON TO MY KEY RING IT MIGHT MOVE MY KEY FROM THE "RUN" POSITION. BY THAT HAPPENING, MANY THINGS WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. ONE OF THEM BEING THE POWER BRAKE. WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE RISK OF OF BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH, AND IN MY CASE I WAS. IF I HAD BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL BEFORE I WOULD'VE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED ANY EXTRA WEIGHT ON MY KEY RING TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS. THE LETTER ALSO STATES THAT MY DEALER WILL FIX THE DEFECT BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IS TOO LATE SINCE MY CAR IS TOTALED AND MY INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER THE DAMAGE. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO SINCE CLEARLY THIS WAS NOT MY FAULT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD NO IDEAL THIS CAR HAD SO MANY RECALLS, I PURCHASED THE CAR USED ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY DAUGHTER COMPLAINED ABOUT GAS FUMES IN THE BACK SEAT, AND THE FRONT END HAS POPPED AND CRACKED SINCE I GOT IT THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND MY SIGNAL LIGHTS TORE UP COMPLETELY ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, NO SIGNAL WOULD WORK HOWEVER MY EMERGENCY FLASHES DID THE MECHANIC CHECKED THEM AND TOLD ME IT WAS IN THE SWITCH THAT CONTROLLED MY SIGNAL AND EMERGENCY FLASHERS . IT HAS A SHORT IN IT AFTER WORKING ON IT ABOUT AN HOUR HE GOT THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WORKING AND TOLD ME NOT TO TURN MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS ON AGAIN BECAUSE MY SIGNAL LIGHTS WOULD TARE UP AGAIN ALSO THEY ARE A ISSUE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS WHERE ONE HEADLIGHT WON'T BURN, IT GOES OUT SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES IT BURNS THE GARAGE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT THEY SAID IT MUST BE IN THE WIRING MY FOG LIGHTS ALSO WILL NOT WORK IT SEEMS THAT THEY ARE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING I HAVE STILL NOT GOT THESE ISSUES FIXED. *TR
ON JULY 21, 2011 WE DROVE TO THE STORE. WHEN WE CAME OUT AND GOT INTO THE CAR (2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM SE, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT PULL OUT. IT IS COMPLETELY RETRACTED AND WILL NOT BUDGE. WE DID NOT DAMAGE IT IN ANY WAY. NOW WE CANNOT LEGALLY HAVE ANYONE IN THE FRONT SEAT BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT ENGAGE. I SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, WHO TELLS ME IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR IT. ROUGH ESTIMATE ON COST IS $300.00!!! I AM CERTAIN THE GARAGE WILL WANT TO REPLACE THE UNIT TO GET FULL MONEY OUT OF US. I WILL KEEP THE DEFECTIVE ONE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
* THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 2 OCCASIONS * I HAVE A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM I HAD THE RACK CHANGED AS THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE STEERING RACK & PINION TO THE FRAME HAD BROKE AT THE WELD AS WELL AS THE FRONT PART OF WHERE STEERING RACK & PINION ATTACH TO THE FRAME SO I TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC HE PUT A BRAND NEW RACK IN THE CAR AS WELL AS A NEW FRAME NOW ABOUT 4 1/2 MONTHS LATER (LAST WEEK) NOTICED VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY, MY WIFE HAD THAN WENT AND PICKED THE 2 GIRLS UP FROM SCHOOL AND ON THE WAY HOME SHE MADE A TURN TO PULL IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WOULDN'T STEER AT ALL I DID GET THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD JACKED IT UP AND NOTICED THAT YET AGAIN THE FRAME ( WHICH IS ONLY 4 1/2 MONTHS OLD )WAS BROKE IN THE FRONT WHERE THE RACK ATTACHES TO THE FRAME WAS SNAPPED RIGHT OFF AND THE BACK ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SIDES ARE COMPLETELY BROKE OFF AS WELL AS THE THE STABILIZER BAR BOLT AND BUSHING THAT ATTACH IT TO THE CONTROL ARE WERE COMPLETELY GONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE I HAVE NOW HAVE TO SEND THE VEHICLE YET AGAIN TO THE MECHANIC FOR REPAIR I HAVE HAD THE CONTROL ARMS REPLACED AS WELL AS ALL BUSHING ETC.. IN CASE THAT SOMETHING HAD BEEN TWISTED, OUTTER & INNER TIE RODS HAVE BEEN CHANGED AS WELL AS FRONT STRUTS AND 4 BRAND NEW TIRES AND A WHEEL ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE
MY CAR WAS IN THE PARKING LOT AND I JUST GOT OFF WORK, ON MY WAY OUT FROM THE LOT TO THE GATE WITH SPEED OF ABOUT 5-10 MPH, ALL OF SUDDEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SPINNING ALL THE WAY AROUND WITHOUT STOP, FRONT WHEELS WONT MOVE TO ANY DIRECTION, THANKFULLY I COULD STOP THE CAR BEFORE HITTING ANY THING. IT WAS VERY SCARY, SOON AFTER I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS DISCONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE ANTERIOR SUSPENSION OR WHATEVER THAT CONNECTS STEERING WHEELS TO WHEELS AND DIRECT THEM. IMAGINE IF THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING IN HIGHWAY WITH SPEED, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER TO ME, MY FAMILY AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IMAGINE DRIVING CAR YOU CAN'T CONTROL, CAN'T DIRECT, AND ALL HAPPEN ALL OF SUDDEN. I CALLED AAA AND TOW THE CAR TO GM DEALER. TEST SHOWED: INTERMEDIATE SHAFT AND CLOCKSPRING WERE BROKEN). THEY REPLACED: INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, RACK MOUNTS, FRAMES, COLL, CLOCKSPRING, AND STEERING RACK. IT COSTS ME $2113.67 AND IT TOOK 10 DAYS TO BE FIXED. NOTICE: ON MY WAY TO WORK IN THE MORNING THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE BUT I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME HEAVIER. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY HUSBAND HAS A 2005 CHEVY TRUCK WITH 30000 MILES. I OWN A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM, BOTH WITH 45000 MILES, BOTH DRIVEN FOR PLEASURE. I JUST REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. MY ABS AND NO TRAC LIGHT IS ON. I WAS TOLD MY HUB WAS BAD. MY HUSBAND JUST REPLACED A HUB ON HIS TRUCK AS WELL, NO WARRANTY! I WAS TOLD BY AUTO ZONE AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK ON MY CAR THAT GM HAS A BAD HUB AND KNOWS IT. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE MINE AT THIS TIME SO I HAVE TO PARK THE CAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GRAND AM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE GRINDING. SHE NOTICED A FILM ON THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD AT NIGHT, WHEN IT IS RAINING, OR WHEN THE DEFROST AND/OR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC DRIVER SIDE WINDOW OCCASIONALLY STICKS. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FEBRUARUY 2007, AND AS SOON AS I GOT HOME WITH IT THE INTERIOR LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE INTERIOR LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF, IT WOULD ONLY WORK WHEN IT WANTED TO. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT, BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 4 MONTHS, AND THIS WASTHE 2ND TIME THAT I WA S BRINGING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ,AND NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER LIGHT. THE CAR IS ALMOST BRAND NEW, COST ME ABOUT $17,000.00, AND ONLY HAD ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON IT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
RECALL N140350 OCTOBER ,2019 IGNITION STOP WORKING WHILE ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO GET TOWED. WON'T TURN ANYMORE I ALMOST CRASH BECAUSE OF IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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, AND I HAVE ALREADY HAD TO CHANGE THE TIRES. THIS CAR ONLY HAS UNDER 36,000 MILES ON IT AND ALL THE PROBLEMS ARE OCCURRING. I GAVE ALMOST $18,000 FOR THIS CAR (WHICH WAS WAY TO MUCH ANYWAYS, BUT THEY REASSURED ME THAT IT WAS A GOOD CAR, AND I WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS OUT OF IT) AND AM PAYING $340.00 A MONTH. THE DEALERSHIP (ALEX MONTGOMERY) TELLS ME THEY CAN FIX IT BUT IT IS GOING TO COST ME. I DON'T HAVE A JOB NOW AND HAVEN'T HAD ONE SINCE JULY 2006. I AM EXPECTING MY THIRD CHILD, I AM A SINGLE MOTHER, I HAVE NO MONEY, AND THEY WON'T TRADE BECAUSE I AM UNEMPLOYED YOU CAN'T GET A LOAN WHEN YOUR UNEMPLOYED. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .