Pontiac Vibe problems
The Pontiac Vibe is a compact car that was sold by Pontiac from 2002 to 2010. It was jointly developed by General Motors along with Toyota, which manufactured the mechanically similar Toyota Matrix. Manufactured by the Toyota-GM joint venture NUMMI in Fremont, California, the Vibe succeeded the Chevrolet Prizm in production at NUMMI and like the Prizm, it was derived from the Toyota Corolla, making it the last of the GM and Toyota developed S-body cars.
From 2002 to 2004, a rebadged right-hand drive variant of the Vibe was exported as the Toyota Voltz to the Japanese domestic market. The Voltz did not sell well in Japan and was discontinued after two model years.
Production of the Vibe ended in 2009 with the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand and the closing of NUMMI under the General Motors Chapter 11 reorganization. Its twin, the Toyota Matrix, was in production for another three years for the American market and four years for the Canadian market, as the Matrix was manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario and was unaffected by NUMMI closing down operation.
Social links
Pontiac Vibe model years
Common Pontiac Vibe problems
The Pontiac Vibe, a compact car known for its impressive crash test scores and great fuel economy, has several common problems that owners have reported across different model years. While the Vibe is generally reliable, certain issues may arise as the vehicle accumulates mileage. Here are some of the most common problems with the Pontiac Vibe:
- Pulsating Brake Pedal: This issue can be caused by a faulty brake booster or master cylinder, leading to a spongy or pulsating brake pedal. It is crucial to have this problem addressed promptly to ensure safe driving conditions.
- Loose Wheel Center Caps: Loose wheel center caps can result in a rattling noise while driving. This issue is relatively simple to fix by tightening or replacing the loose center caps.
- Bearing Noise: This problem is more prevalent in the 2003 redesign of the Vibe. Drivers have reported hearing tapping and clicking noises, especially when activating the clutch. This issue can be caused by manufacturing defects, poor lubrication, or contamination in the transmission bearings. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and address this problem before it escalates.
- Transmission Failures: The transmission in the Pontiac Vibe is known to fail early and often, particularly in the 2003 and 2009 models. Transmission failures can occur without warning and can be an expensive repair. It is essential to keep track of the vehicle's maintenance schedule to ensure the transmission stays in good condition.
- Instrument Panel Not Working: The instrument panel is a crucial component for monitoring the vehicle's performance and identifying issues. When it stops working, it can lead to dangerous driving conditions. This problem can occur without warning and may be difficult to fix, depending on the source of the issue.
- Indicator Lights Failures: Individual indicator lights may not come on when they should, which can lead to problems if the driver is unaware of engine issues. This problem can also occur without warning and may require professional assistance to diagnose and fix.
- Engine Failures: The 2003 and 2009 models of the Pontiac Vibe are known for early engine failures, which can be unpredictable and sudden. Regular maintenance is essential to protect the vehicle's other systems and prevent expensive repairs.
- Difficult to Control Speed: Some users have reported issues with the Pontiac Vibe's acceleration, which can be dangerous for drivers. This problem is likely a result of the combination of engine and transmission issues.
While the Pontiac Vibe is generally reliable, it is essential to be aware of these common problems and address them promptly to ensure safe and efficient driving. Regular maintenance and inspections can help identify and prevent these issues before they become significant problems.
What problems do Pontiac Vibe have?
Common problems of the Pontiac Vibe include a loose gas cap, pulsating brake pedal, and loose wheel center caps.
Is the Pontiac Vibe a reliable car?
THE PONTIAC VIBE YEARS TO AVOID
If you're looking to buy a used Pontiac Vibe, you'll be happy to know it's a relatively reliable compact vehicle. But some years are more reliable than others.
What is the average lifespan of a Pontiac Vibe?
The Pontiac Vibe is basically a rebranded Toyota under the hood, so you can expect a typical lifespan of around 250,000 miles with adequate maintenance. You might be able to squeeze a few more road trips out of it after that, but a quarter million is when you should start shopping around for a replacement.
Do all Pontiac Vibe have Toyota engines?
Pontiac Vibe (2002-2010)
Jointly developed by General Motors and Toyota, this Pontiac hatchback came with two different options: the 1.8L 1ZZ-FE engine and the 2ZZ-GE engine, both of which belong to the Toyota ZZ Series.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Pontiac Vibe years
We have researched Pontiac problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Pontiac Vibe cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Pontiac Vibe model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Pontiac Vibe model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Pontiac Vibe years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Pontiac Vibe car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Pontiac Vibe , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Air bags problems
- Visibility problems
- Power train problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Pontiac Vibe vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Vibe model years
A total of 106 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Vibe model years
There were a total of 6 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Vibe model years
There were a total of 115 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 1867 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Pontiac Vibe . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Pontiac Vibe 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-04
- VIN: 5Y2SP67889Z
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: The contact called on behalf of her sister who owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while her sister was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal noise and the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The contact was notified of an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
Pontiac Vibe 2005
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-27
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-27
- VIN: 5Y2SL63845Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V285000 (Air Bags); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
Pontiac Vibe 2004
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-19
- VIN: 5Y2SL62814
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: See attached document for complaint.
Pontiac Vibe 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-05
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-12
- VIN: 5Y2SL65817Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I no longer own 2007 Pontiac vibe 5Y2SL65817Z438405 I sold 2007 Pontiac vibe to Car Max 2/05/2024. Please remove my name, phone number, address, email from your recall list. Thank you!
Pontiac Vibe 2005
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-09
- VIN: 5Y2SL63805Z
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the doors locked independently. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that on the last occasion, the doors locked independently while her daughter was inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or local dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,000.
Pontiac Vibe 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-28
- VIN: 5Y2SP67059Z
- Components: AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I been trying to get the recalls to be fix but both the dealers and GM haven’t been able to help due to parts discontinued, I been trying to get this issued resolve for a year or so. I need help please, they just keep saying that all recalls on this vehicle don’t have the parts for it and don’t know what else to do.
Pontiac Vibe 2003
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-30
- VIN: 5Y2SM64803Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe was manufactured by Toyota and is for all intent and purposes is a 2003 Toyota Matrix. The 2003-04 Pontiac Vibe should be included in the "Do not drive" advisory issued by Toyota 20 Jan 30th 2024. Only the body is different than the Toyota Matrix and everything internal is the same. Please do not let this model fall through the cracks. January 30, 2024, Toyota issued a "do not drive" advisory for certain 2003–2005 car models due to concerns about their Takata airbags: 2003–2004 Corolla 2003–2004 Corolla Matrix 2004–2005 RAV4 The company says the Corolla and Matrix models are under a separate recall because their airbags can be deployed without a crash. The Takata air bag inflators are at risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel. Customers can check if their Toyota has a recall at www.toyota.com/recall or by contacting the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Pontiac Vibe 2004
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-30
- VIN: 5Y2SL62894Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: As there is a NHTSA recall notice on the 2004 Toyota Matrix for a Takata air bag risk of explosion with shrapnel, should there also be a similar notice on the 2004 Pontiac Vibe, which is practically the same vehicle and was manufactured at the same plant in CA?
Pontiac Vibe 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-04
- VIN: 5Y2SL65887Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the air bag had been previously replaced however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the replacement of the air bag. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the air bag inflators failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V627000 (Air Bags), 18V883000 (Air Bags), 15V285000 (Air Bags) and 15V286000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been contacted and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in any of the recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there were recalls for the air bags then referred the contact back to the dealer. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
Pontiac Vibe 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-29
- Date Complaint: 2023-11-29
- VIN: 5Y2SR67059Z
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: TSB 0158-14 IS a Toyota engine that was also used in General Motors Pontiac vibe in 2009 and 2010 The tsb has to do with oil consumption and a tsb was made for Toyota. Not for Pontiac as a result my Pontiac is now consuming oil every 1000kms As they both used the 2Az-FE 2.4 engine
Pontiac Vibe 2005
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-12
- Date Complaint: 2023-10-06
- VIN: 5Y2SL63825Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V883000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and advised the contact to locate a different dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Pontiac Vibe 2004
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-05
- Date Complaint: 2023-10-05
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact’s father owns a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that after her father started the vehicle, the air bag inadvertently deployed without warning. As a result, the contact’s father sustained a mild concussion, and burns to the left and right arms that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Pontiac Vibe 2007
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-21
- Date Complaint: 2023-09-21
- VIN: 5Y2SL658X7Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owned a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list since the vehicle was totaled. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
Pontiac Vibe 2004
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-12
- Date Complaint: 2023-09-13
- VIN: 5Y2SL64844Z
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: p 185/75r15 (?) copy of email sent to Kost Tires Pa, BBB, State Attorney General's office: Sirs, Please forward to your corporate office. Two months ago, I replaced my entire front end (hubs, bearings, lower ball joints and outer ties rod ends) because the excessive noise these tires generated sounded a lot like bad bearings. The bearings themselves turned out to be fine. This tire blew out on me at 65-70 mph yesterday and almost killed me - the other front tire was almost just as bad. This manufacturer's quality control department should be notified asap, or steps should be taken to recall any of this brand that you've sold in order to limit your company's liability in case of an accidental death as a result of inadequate or insufficient safety standards. Again, this is after 4K miles on a "Kendra" tire rated for 60K - manufactured in Malaysia, Thailand or Vietnam (?). Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Pontiac Vibe 2009
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-31
- Date Complaint: 2023-09-06
- VIN: 5Y2SP670X9Z
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I was driving no warnings lights to shutting down on the road to black smoke came out of the back luckily a guy was going by and helped me move my car
Latest 5 recalls Pontiac Vibe
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 51 recalls for different components of the Pontiac Vibe.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Pontiac Vibe 2003
- Report Received Date: 2020-01-23
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The replacement air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation in high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate properly increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the passenger air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192278940.
- Model: Pontiac Vibe 2004
- Report Received Date: 2020-01-23
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The replacement air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation in high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- Consequence: An air bag that does not inflate properly increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the passenger air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192278940.
- Model: Pontiac Vibe 2005
- Report Received Date: 2019-08-28
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
- Model: Pontiac Vibe 2008
- Report Received Date: 2019-08-28
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
- Model: Pontiac Vibe 2007
- Report Received Date: 2019-08-28
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
- Consequence: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
Latest negative Pontiac Vibe car reviews
Latest positive Pontiac Vibe car reviews
-
Vehicle year: 2003
I really enjoyed reading about your experience with this car! It sounds like it has been a great fit for you and your husband, especially with its spacious interior and impressive gas mileage. It's also reassuring to hear that the car has proven to be safe and reliable, even in a serious accident. Thank you for sharing your story, and best of luck finding a new Vibe!
-
Vehicle year: 2007
This seems like an excellent car! It has plenty of room inside and gets great gas mileage, with an overall average of 29.5 mpg and 33 mpg on the highway.
-
Vehicle year: 2010
First 1500 mile highway driving mileage per gallon was 31.1 mpg. Mileage town driving 21.2 mpg. Interior room is more than adequate.
-
Vehicle year: 2006
What a great car! I've been a Nissan owner my whole life, but I decided to invest in Uncle Sam, and let me tell you, it's just as good if not better. This car is so much fun and perfect for fitting 1-2 car seats.
-
Vehicle year: 2010
You'll love this model even more than the previous one! It's incredibly comfortable and has a great pep to it. Merging onto highways is a breeze and it's a blast to drive on back roads. Plus, it handles rain and snow like a champ. If you're looking for a car that will make you feel confident and powerful, this is the one for you!
Are you having problems with your Pontiac Vibe?
Jermain Herzog 2024-11-25
Vehicle year: 2003
I had the pleasure of working for a firm that leased a variety of vehicles, one of which was the VIBE. When it was time for me to choose a new vehicle, I decided to give the Vibe a try since it appeared to be a mini SUV wagon. I must say, it was the best vehicle I have ever been issued. It was always reliable, sturdy, and surprisingly quick despite the underpowered engine (which should be a larger 4 or 6 cylinder). The only issue I encountered was starting from the line, as it lacked pep and required some distance to enter a busy, fast highway. However, when driving on the streets of NYC, I never had a problem. The only other issue I had was with the interior design, specifically the window opener locations, lack of rear seat heating, and sloppily designed air conditioning ports. Despite these minor issues, I highly recommend the Vibe to everyone.
Cristina Parisian 2024-10-18
Vehicle year: 2005
Our '05 Vibe is a great little car! So far, we've been getting about 30 mpg in town and haven't had any mechanical or body problems after 3500 miles. While some of the interior surfaces feel a bit hard and cheap, the seats are comfortable and the overall interior is nice. The ride and handling are good both in the city and on the highway/expressway. Overall, we think it's a great value for the money spent!
Elias Kub 2024-09-28
Vehicle year: 2003
I purchased this car used 3 months ago with 118,000 miles on it. Unfortunately, in the 3000 miles I have driven it, I have had to replace two catalytic converters and repair a window that was previously fixed in a makeshift manner. Additionally, the car is quite noisy and tends to rev up when it is cold outside until I have driven a few miles at higher speeds. While I am disappointed with my purchase and concerned about potential future issues, I am hopeful that with proper maintenance and care, I can improve its performance.
Danial Blanda 2024-09-01
Vehicle year: 2003
I went online to find the most reliable car within my price range and stumbled upon this one. Although I spent quite a bit on it as a used car, it was to be expected. I learned my lesson about buying used and am now taking the payments to avoid the hassle of things breaking down. I did have to replace the clutch for 1k and had a piston issue for 1.4k, but that's just the usual maintenance for a used car. It's not the fastest car out there, and I even had to slow down on hilly roads, but it gets the job done. This car is perfect for those who just need a car, plain and simple. It's not the nicest or most comfortable, but it's pretty reliable and has decent gas mileage. If you're looking for a car with personality or something that you'll enjoy driving, this might not be the one for you. However, if you need an affordable car that will get you from point A to point B, this is definitely worth considering. After all, it's a Toyota and you can't avoid used car problems with any car from 2003.
Patrick Harber 2024-08-27
Vehicle year: 2005
I think your review is spot on. It's a great overall package of style, economy, versatility, and performance. I had to make a couple of quick maneuvers to avoid trouble, and it handled confidently and stuck to the road. We didn't need a big SUV, but we wanted to have some utility. It's a good balance.