Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac GTO, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 62 | 40% |
| Suspension | 33 | 21% |
| Tires | 12 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 2% |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% |
| Steering | 2 | 1% |
| Air bags | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Wheel feel off car driving. Gm refuses to investigate. Says call dealer. Have pics of wheel and screenshots of help conversation
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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-
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 BEFO
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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 W
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
IRREGULAR FRONT TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRES DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS CAUSING BLOW OUT AND FLATS. NUMEROUS WHEEL ALIGNMENTS HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. WHY HAS GM NOT PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE? LOSS
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 55 | average |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 75 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 62 of them (40%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.