Model year record
2005 Pontiac GTO recalls & problems
The 2005 Pontiac GTO has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 154 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is suspension (103 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2005 Pontiac GTO.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2005 Pontiac GTO 2-DR.
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
GTO
| City / highway | 15 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
6 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
GTO
| City / highway | 14 / 19 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
6 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut | 103 | 18,000 mi |
| TiresSidewall; Tread/belt | 44 | 19,000 mi |
| Electrical systemIgnition; Horn | 14 | 15,000 mi |
| Power trainClutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle); Driveline › Driveshaft | 7 | 8,600 mi |
| Air bagsFrontal | 7 | 87,299 mi |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system | 6 | 24,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingExhaust system; Engine › Gasoline | 4 | 9,227 mi |
| VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Windshield | 3 | — |
| Seat beltsFront › Retractor | 3 | 106,000 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 2 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery | 2 | — |
| Wheels | 2 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Wheels
Wheel feel off car driving. Gm refuses to investigate. Says call dealer. Have pics of wheel and screenshots of help conversation
- Power train
Vehicle loss of power 3rd & 4th clutch fail during driving Unsafe on the highway Automatic transmission 4L65E Know issue with most rear wheel drive cars
- Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC GTO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND THE REDUCED PERFORMANCE MODE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LANDERS CHEVROLET CADILLAC OF JOPLIN (417-768-7900, LOCATED AT 4630 E 32ND ST, JOPLIN, MO 64804) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE MANUFACTURER'S CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS A SALVAGED TITLE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
- Electrical system
MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAS FLUNG OPEN SEVERAL TIMES DUE TO THE WINDOW TRACK COMING UNGLUED FROM THE GLASS. IT HAS HAPPENED AT DRIVE UP WINDOWS, DRIVING DOWN THE STREET/HIGHWAY AND EVEN HAS FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR IN A TURN BEFORE. IN THE 2004-2006 PONTIAC GTOS BOTH FRONT SIDE WINDOWS COME DETACHED FROM THEIR FORWARD MOST BRACKET THAT KEEPS THE WINDOWS IN THEIR TRACKS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT ALLOWS THE WINDOW TO MOVE AND APPLY PRESSURE ONTO THE DOOR RELEASE MECHANISM OR LINKAGE. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE WHILE ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW IT HITS THE LINKAGE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR OPENS. IF GOING THROUGH A TURN AND ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW THE DOOR CAN FLY OPEN AND YOU CAN POSSIBLY FALL OUT. ALSO…
- Steering
MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP IN MY YARD, HAVING TO GET IT TOWED TO THE PONTIAC SERVICE DEPARTMENT PAYING OVER $2,000 TO GET IT FIX. THEN AFTER A YEAR IT LOCKED UP AGAIN. BEEN SITTING IN MY GARAGE EVERY SINCE. I DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY TO CONTINUE TO GET THE PROBLEM FIX IF IT'S GONNA KEEP OCCURRING.
- Service brakes
PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY AT 30MPH IN A STRAIGHT LINE, WITH NO WARNING, ONE OR BOTH OF THE PARKING (EMERGENCY) BRAKES MAY ENGAGE, LOCKING THE REAR WHEEL(S), AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW ABRUPTLY OR SKID. THE CAR HAS TO BE DRIVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ENGAGED TO A SAFE PLACE OUT OF TRAFFIC. ONCE STOPPED, THE CONDITION CAN BE CLEARED BY DEPRESSING AND HOLDING THE PARKING BRAKE LATCH BUTTON AND VIGOROUSLY PUMPING THE HANDLE UP AND DOWN. ONCE THIS HAS HAPPENED, THE PARKING BRAKE (A FUNCTION PERFORMED BY THE EMERGENCY BRAKES) NO LONGER ENGAGES CONSISTENTLY. SEVERAL MECHANICAL DISASSEMBLIES AND INSPECTIONS HAVE NOT UNCOVERED…
- Suspension
INNER TIRE WEAR
- Seat belts
DRIVER SEAT BELT IS FULLY EXTENDED AND WILL NOT RETRACT. WHEN GETTING INTO CAR AND PLACING SEAT BELT ON, IT FULLY EXTENDED AND WOULD NOT RETRACT.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- FRONT STRUT TO TIRE INTERFERENCEClosed
NOTE: THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY COUNTS GIVEN IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY OF THIS RESUME INCLUDE ALL RECORDS RELATED TO TIRE WEAR AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND ARE NOT LIMITED TO TIRE-STRUT CONTACT.GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IDENTIFIED TWO CONTRIBUTORS TO PREMATURE FRONT TIRE WEAR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTORS CAUSING THE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION NEGATIVE CAMBER.GM STATED THAT EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER COULD BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER CAMBER SETTINGS FROM THE FACTORY OR BENDING OF THE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES DUE TO SHARP ROAD IMPACT (I.E., SEVERE POT HOLES).TO IMPROVE CAMBER SETTINGS FROM THE FACTORY, GM STATED THAT FROM FEBRUARY OF 2005 THROUGH MAY OF 2006 SEVERAL MODIFICATIONS WERE MADE TO THE CAMBER SETTING FIXTURE.GM ALSO NOTED THAT EXCESSIVE NEGATIVE CAMBER COULD RESULT IN FRONT TIRE TO STRUT CONTACT, WHICH COULD ALSO BE CAUSED BY USE OF NON-ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT…