Skip to content
Engine coolingPart report

2005 Pontiac GTO Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
3%of 154 total for the year
Median mileage
9,228miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Pontiac GTO, 3% of the 154 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,228 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Vehicle purchased new. Motor failed at approx 6,555 miles. Loud poof followed by flames shooting out of bottom end of motor. Engine failure also sprayed hot motor oil over undercarriage and body panels. Black smoke filled passenger cabin resulting in zero visibility and foul odor in passenger compartment. Lost power steering and braking ability. After engine failure, application of brakes would not slow vehicle, requiring driver to coast to stop with zero visibility. After vehicle came to stop, driver exited and received minor burns from hot oil on body panels.”

NHTSA complaint #10188397, filed 2007-04, 6,555 miles

“2005 Pontiac GTO - dash water temp gauge indicates overheating, especially when stuck in traffic or idling. Needle shoots up as soon as second fan starts. Seems to be completely random. Turning on the heat to full blast and revving engine (if stopped) cures it temporarily. Simply turning on the heat will blow out cold air, so engine must be revved for hot air to begin flowing from the vents. Highway driving will also subside the needle. No other symptoms at all, aside from the needle shooting up. Performance is not hindered. No smoke of any kind. Difficult to replicate at dealer.”

NHTSA complaint #10234494, filed 2008-07, 50,000 miles

“Dt: the contact states there are multiple problems with the vehicle. She has taken the vehicle to the dealership. On april 26, 2005 they replaced the computer, harness, throttle body, engine relay switch, clamps and hangers to the exhaust system. Then on august 11, 2005 they replaced some missing strut tower nuts. There was a whistling sound coming from the vehicle when started. The safety and check oil indicator lights came on. Later, on september 27 , 2005 the dealership replaced the engine, exhaust hanger and clamps again, pedal and pedal springs and engine manifold gasket. …”

NHTSA complaint #10140791, filed 2005-10, 3 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200631%
200543%
200462%

Other parts of the 2005 Pontiac GTO

Suspension
100 complaintsTires
44 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Pontiac GTO

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology