2000 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.
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Common 2000 Pontiac Vibe problems
The Pontiac Vibe, produced from 2000 to 2010, is a compact car known for its impressive crash test scores and great fuel economy. However, like any vehicle, issues may arise as mileage increases. Here are some of the most common problems reported by Pontiac Vibe owners:
- Loose Gas Cap: A loose gas cap can trigger the check engine light. This is a common issue, with 57 owners reporting it.
- Bearing Noise: This issue has been reported by many 2003 Vibe owners, who have complained about tapping and clicking noises that get louder over time, especially when the clutch is activated. This could be due to manufacturing defects, poor lubrication, or contamination.
- Transmission Failures: The transmission in the Pontiac Vibe is prone to failing early and often, sometimes without warning. This can be an expensive repair, and some owners may choose to replace the entire transmission. However, the fix may not last as long as it should in the Vibe.
- Instrument Panel Not Working: The instrument panel is a crucial component for monitoring the vehicle's status. When it stops working, it can lead to issues like not knowing when the speedometer or gas monitor isn't working, potentially causing dangerous situations.
- Indicator Lights Failures: Individual indicator lights may not come on when they should, making it difficult to diagnose issues with the vehicle. This can also happen without warning, and the source of the problem might be challenging to fix.
- Engine Failure: The 2003 and 2009 Pontiac Vibe models are known for early engine failures, which can sometimes be unpredictable and sudden. Good maintenance may not prevent this kind of engine failure, making it an expensive repair.
- Difficult to Control Speed: Some users have reported that the Pontiac Vibe can sometimes accelerate more or less than intended, leading to unpredictable driving conditions.
These common problems are not exclusive to the 2000 model year, and some may occur in other years as well. It is essential to keep track of the vehicle's maintenance schedule and address any issues before they escalate and require costly repairs.
What is the most common problem with the Pontiac Vibe?
Common problems of the Pontiac Vibe include a loose gas cap, pulsating brake pedal, and loose wheel center caps.
Is Pontiac Vibe a reliable car?
Overall the Pontiac Vibe is neither exceptionally reliable nor unreliable outside of the years you should avoid it. Given a 7-year run, you really only need to avoid the 2003 and 2009 models, and the others should be relatively consistent if you want to buy them used.
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 Pontiac Vibes 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.
What is the common problem with Pontiac Vibe?
Common problems of the Pontiac Vibe include a loose gas cap, pulsating brake pedal, and loose wheel center caps.
Are Pontiac Vibes a good car?
Overall the Pontiac Vibe is neither exceptionally reliable nor unreliable outside of the years you should avoid it. Given a 7-year run, you really only need to avoid the 2003 and 2009 models, and the others should be relatively consistent if you want to buy them used.
Do Pontiac Vibes 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.
How long does a Pontiac Vibe engine last?
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.
2000 Pontiac Vibe car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Pontiac Vibe problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2000 Pontiac Vibe vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2000 Pontiac Vibe complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2000 Pontiac Vibe.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-08-03
- VIN: 5Y2SL65866Z
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2000 Pontiac Vibe problems:
idle rpm speed at startup too high? - GenVibe - Community for ...
GenVibe.Com - The Online Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts ... 2000 rpm for a good long while... ... It's a common problem with the base engine ...
Pontiac Vibe Electrical/Lighting Issues — Car Forums at Edmunds.com
Sep 18, 2006 ... Pontiac Vibe Electrical/Lighting Issues ... We have a 2000 Pontiac Vibe. Recently, three ... known" problem areas with the Pontiac Vibes. I still ...
P0171 Pontiac Vibe: Expert Q&A on Troubleshooting and Solutions
Jul 25, 2014 ... P0171 and P0301. Pontiac Vibe 2003. P0171 and P0301. Car barely ran and had these two faults. I swapped coils and plugs and made no difference.
2009 Pontiac Vibe - worth it? : r/whatcarshouldIbuy
Dec 14, 2022 ... I've kept up with normal maintenance and haven't had any major issues with the transmission or anything else. Because the 2.4 is so common, ...
Q&A: Pontiac Vibe 2003 Problems - P0440 Code & More
Oct 19, 2010 ... These are problems that most shop deal with on a daily basis. The most common component that fails due to over filling is the charcoal canister.
Other years of Pontiac Vibe
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