Reliability
Pontiac

Gto (2005)

2005 · Sports Car · 2 engines
154 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
4 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Pontiac Gto → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

7.7 / 10

Reliability score

Fewer owner complaints than similar sports cars

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 13 powertrain complaints. A typical sports car fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 16.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.2 points in the typical case.

Breakdown
Complaints overall13 complaints against about 16 for similar vehicles
7.7
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced
n/aNot enough data
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating
n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

LS2

6.0L 8-cyl
122 complaints 122.0 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension
83
wheels tires
38
electrical
12
transmission
6
steering
6

Pontiac Gto Unidentified Engine

30 complaints 30.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

suspension
16
wheels tires
9
safety systems
3
other
3
interior
2
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

LS1

5.7L 8-cyl
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac Gto, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Suspension: 100 owner complaints
Wheels & Tires: 48 owner complaints
Electrical System: 14 owner complaints
Safety Systems: 7 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2005 Pontiac Gto

On a used 2005 Pontiac Gto, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (100), the wheels and tires (48) and the electrical system (14). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints on the 2005 Pontiac Gto about the suspension.
  2. Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 48 owner complaints on the 2005 Pontiac Gto about the wheels and tires.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 14 owner complaints on the 2005 Pontiac Gto about the electrical system.
  4. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 7 owner complaints on the 2005 Pontiac Gto about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2005 Pontiac Gto

Alternatives in Sports Car

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto complaints?

Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the wheels and tires and the electrical system.

Is the 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto have?

NHTSA has 154 owner complaints on file for the 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005-2005 Pontiac Gto.

What should I check before buying a used Pontiac Gto?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the wheels and tires and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Gto have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2005 Pontiac Gto. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 154 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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