This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Pontiac Grand Prix steering problems
moderate 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 24 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone calls. Technician will need to determine what type of call the customer is having that is unwanted. The vehicle may receive an incoming call just like any other phone. Typically the customer will hear the phone ringing in the vehicle. This scenario also includes incoming Bluetooth calls. One type of unwanted call can be made if the key pad is faulty the OnStar system will try to make a blue button call for shorted voltage in the circuits. The OnStar module could have an internal fault and produce a ″Phone Unavaila
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗09132E - CUSTOMER SATISFACTION (REVISED EXPIRATION DATE). CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 OR V8 ENGINE MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING COOLER LINE MAY LEAK OR SPLIT. WHEN THESE VEHICLES ARE STARTED IN COLD WEATHER, THE PRESSURE ON THE HOSE IS SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN IN WARMER WEATHER AND MAY EXCEED THE STRENGTH OF THE POWER STEERING HOSE OR CLAMPS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD LIKELY NOTICE FLUID SPOTTING UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND A DECREASE IN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST. IF ENOUGH FLUID WERE LOST, DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP COULD OCCUR. DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING HOSE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES WITH A V8 ENGINE, OR REPL
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PONTIAC CHEVROLET SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. POWER STEERING HOSE LEAK. VEHICLES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE POWER STEERING COOLER LINE MAY LEAK OR SPLIT. WHEN STARTED IN COLD WEATHER, THE PRESSURE ON THE HOSE IS SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN IN WARMER WEATHER AND MAY EXCEED THE STRENGTH OF THE POWER STEERING HOUSE OR CLAMPS. CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. *UPDATED 6/25/10. UPDATED 7/1/10. UPDATED 6/22/11. UPDATED 4/22/13. UPDATED 4/16/14.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix describe steering column and power steering failures that show up early and repeat. Knocking and clicking noises in the steering column emerge in the 28,000–58,000 mile range, accompanied by bumps felt through the wheel. Dealers and Pontiac acknowledge the problem informally but resist warranty coverage and formal recalls. Owners report quoted repair costs of $89 to $300 for lower column extension replacement or rack-and-pinion service.
Power steering fluid leaks are chronic and unpredictable. Owners describe low fluid levels with high-pitched whining sounds, followed by loss of power assist—sometimes in one direction only—that makes steering extremely difficult or impossible. Whizzing noises under acceleration, especially during turns, signal developing leaks. Repairs include replacement of hoses, pumps, and complete steering gears; one owner reports the problem recurring even after steering gear and return line replacement.
Intermediate steering shaft play causes chocking and clicking noises. One owner reports a dealer offering only lubrication as a temporary fix with no permanent solution available.
A separate but related failure mode involves key rotation and ignition shut-down leading to power steering loss. Owners report the vehicle shutting down at highway speed (65–72 mph) with steering wheel locking, demanding immediate repairs before the vehicle is safe to drive. Pontiac resists acknowledging this as a separate safety issue from the ignition recall.
Same Pontiac Grand Prix steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Steering column knock and clicking with loss of traction/ABS function
Knocking or clicking sounds in the steering column correspond to bumps felt in the steering wheel. Service lights (traction control, variable effort steering, ABS) illuminate and steering becomes severely diminished or power assist is lost.
When: 28,000–80,000 miles; onset noted from purchase through several years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking or clicking sound from steering column; Bumps felt in steering wheel; Difficulty turning (especially in one direction); Service traction control light illuminates; Service variable effort steering light illuminates; Service ABS light illuminates; Loss of power steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: $89–$300 for lower steering column extension replacement or rack-and-pinion service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Pontiac customer service refused to acknowledge the problem or provide written confirmation; dealers confirm it is a known issue but resist warranty coverage; informal recognition of similar failures noted by dealer service representatives
Power steering fluid leak with whining noise and loss of assist
Power steering system develops internal or external leaks causing fluid loss that is sometimes difficult to detect. Owners report whizzing or high-pitched whining sounds, especially during acceleration and turns, followed by inability to steer. Fluid levels drop between checks or after vehicle sits idle.
When: 3,000–69,000 miles; leaks can be intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Whizzing sound during acceleration; Whizzing noise particularly pronounced when turning; High-pitched whining from pump; Low power steering fluid level; Severely diminished or lost power steering assist; Difficulty turning steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Hose and pump replacement; complete steering gear replacement ($521 total: $300 parts, $200 labor, tax); recurring leaks reported even after steering gear and return line replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers replace components as needed; one owner notes Pontiac has a known defect in steering gears where internal leaking goes undetected due to lack of external signs; warranty coverage only during warranty period
Intermediate steering shaft play with chocking noise
The intermediate steering shaft develops play or misalignment, producing chocking (clicking) noise when the wheel is turned in either direction. Dealers offer lubrication as a temporary noise suppression measure but confirm no permanent solution exists.
When: 30,000–46,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Chocking (clicking) noise when turning steering wheel; Noise occurs in both left and right turns
Repairs/costs cited: Lubrication offered as temporary fix; dealer confirms steering column rod replacement needed but no permanent solution implemented
Steering wheel seizure or difficulty turning at low speed
Steering wheel becomes very stiff or locked, making it extremely difficult to turn, particularly to the left. One owner reports steering wheel seizure occurring alongside key release from ignition during driving.
When: 58,200–80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel very difficult to turn to the left; Steering wheel seized or locked; Steering wheel able to turn freely to the right (power assist working); Loss of left-turn power steering only
Repairs/costs cited: Rack-and-pinion replacement ($521 total in one case); recurrence reported after initial repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer aware of similar occurrences but stated no safety recall has been issued by General Motors
Key rotation and ignition shut-down with steering wheel lock
Vehicle ignition shuts down unexpectedly during driving, causing complete loss of engine power, power steering, power brakes, and airbags. Steering wheel locks. Event occurs without warning at highway speeds (65–72 mph). Ignition recall (key insert upgrade) does not resolve the underlying problem.
When: 56,372–58,824 miles; multiple incidents over short driving period
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down without warning at highway speed; Steering wheel locks; Power steering lost; Power brakes lost; Airbags disabled; Dashboard lights go black; Check engine light illuminates with 'LOSS OF ENGINE POWER' message; Vehicle deceleration to 5 mph or complete stop; Key difficult to turn in ignition
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition recall involved key insert upgrade; however, vehicle continues to shut down after recall service; no permanent solution provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM claims the cause is unintended key rotation but owners believe the ignition switch itself is defective; one dealer stated further service would require owner payment; vehicle shut down again after recall repair
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My horn has failed on 5 occassions. Pontiac has issued a service bulletin to fix this intermission horn failure, but the fix does not work. I have had several close calls where other motorists have pulled out in front of me and I have not been able to warn them, as the horn failed. I hope this issue can be corrected properly before and accident occurs. Also, Pontiac has a problem with a…
Ia ]xxx]and I am on ssi and need help to get my car fixed, it is the only thing I have. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 31,000 and 85,600 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 31,000; a quarter make it past 85,600. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Pontiac/Grand Prix.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.