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Research · Compact Cars

2005 Pontiac Grand AmRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 102 owner complaints for the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am. Most complaints involve electrical system (40) and exterior lighting (12). The EPA rates it 21–25 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
102
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 3, 2014, that they are recalling 5,877,718 model year 2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu, 2004-2005 Malibu Classic, 1999-2004 Oldsmobile Alero, 1998-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am and 2004-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix vehicles. In these models, the weight on the key ring and/or road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Jul 3, 2014NHTSA 14V400000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000

Fuel system

Free remedy

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Fuel system, otherReported Mar 12, 2007NHTSA 07E021000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

102 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2004 – Apr 2020
  1. Electrical system40
  2. Exterior lighting12
  3. Fuel system, gasoline11
  4. Engine10
  5. Air bags10
  6. Steering8
  7. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  8. Vehicle speed control5
  9. Visibility5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Grand Am model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996450
1997394
1998179
1999858
2000691
2001548
2002404
2003338
2004293
2005102
Crashes reported
15
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

40 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2020Electrical systemODI 11322195

Exterior lighting

12 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2016Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 10818746

Fuel system, gasoline

11 reports
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2014Fuel system, gasolineODI 10664210
All 2005 Grand Am problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl · 3.4L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,400355
Grand Am
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$2,850423
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Grand Am
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am as of Nov 12, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 1645Vehicle 1644
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Grand Am questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Pontiac Grand Am problems?

Owners filed 102 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (40), exterior lighting (12), fuel system, gasoline (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am at 21–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026