2001 Pontiac Vibe problems

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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.

2001 Pontiac Vibe

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Common 2001 Pontiac Vibe problems

The Pontiac Vibe, a compact car manufactured between 2001 and 2010, has been known for several common problems across its model years. These issues range from minor inconveniences to significant mechanical faults that can impact the vehicle's safety and reliability.

  • Transmission Failures: The Pontiac Vibe's transmission is prone to early failure, which can occur suddenly and without warning. This issue can be particularly expensive to repair, and many owners may opt to replace the entire transmission rather than fixing the underlying problem. Transmission failures are common in the 2001 model year, and they can significantly impact the vehicle's reliability and longevity.
  • Instrument Panel Not Working: The instrument panel is a crucial component of any vehicle, providing essential information about the car's speed, fuel level, and engine performance. In the 2001 Pontiac Vibe, the instrument panel is prone to failure, which can occur without warning and leave drivers without critical information about their vehicle's status. This issue can be a significant safety concern, as it can prevent drivers from detecting other problems with the vehicle.
  • Indicator Lights Failures: In addition to the instrument panel's failure, individual indicator lights can also fail to come on when they should. This issue can prevent drivers from detecting engine problems or other critical issues with the vehicle. Like the instrument panel's failure, this problem can be a significant safety concern and can impact the vehicle's reliability.
  • Engine Failure: The 2001 Pontiac Vibe's engine is also prone to failure, which can occur suddenly and without warning. This issue can be particularly expensive to repair, and many owners may choose to replace the engine rather than fixing the underlying problem. Engine failures are a significant concern for 2001 Vibe owners, as they can impact the vehicle's safety, reliability, and longevity.
  • Difficult to Control Speed: The combination of engine and transmission problems in the 2001 Pontiac Vibe can make it difficult to control the vehicle's speed. Some drivers have reported unexpected acceleration or deceleration, which can be a significant safety concern. This issue can impact the vehicle's drivability and can make it challenging to operate the car safely.

In summary, the 2001 Pontiac Vibe has several common problems that can impact the vehicle's safety, reliability, and longevity. These issues include bearing noise, transmission failures, instrument panel failures, indicator light failures, engine failures, and difficulty controlling the vehicle's speed. Owners of 2001 Vibe models should be aware of these problems and take steps to address them promptly to prevent further damage and ensure the vehicle's safe operation.

2001 Pontiac Vibe engine

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.

How many miles can you expect to get out 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.

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.

Was the Pontiac Vibe 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.

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.

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.

2001 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 2001 Pontiac Vibe vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2001 Pontiac Vibe complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2001 Pontiac Vibe.

2012-03-09

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2012-03-07
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: MY DAUGHTER HAD AN ACCIDENT GOING APPROX. 35 TO 45 MPH AND REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE BUT DID NOT ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS. LUCKILY SHE HAD HER SEAT BELT ON AND DID NOT GET HURT. THIS REALLY CONCERNS ME. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE BUT I THOUGHT I WOULD REPORT THIS TO SOMEONE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2001 Pontiac Vibe problems:

Q&A: 2007 Pontiac Vibe Blower Motor & Blend Door Actuator ...
Q&A: 2007 Pontiac Vibe Blower Motor & Blend Door Actuator ...
https://www.justanswer.com/pontiac/7apx7-2007-pontiac-vibe-don-t-heat-when.html

Nov 3, 2012 ... I don't have the clicking sound others have complained about with Vibe heat issues and the fan motor is working fine. I also checked the hoses ...

Recall on PCM (Computer) - GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe ...
Recall on PCM (Computer) - GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe ...
https://forums.genvibe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=35742

the vibe, 2002 Chevy Tracker, 2001 GMC Yukon XL, 1999 Pontiac ... issues that are fairly common ... Return to “Problems & Warranty Issues”. Jump ...

2003-2008 Corolla, Matrix, Pontiac Vibe: Common Problems and ...
2003-2008 Corolla, Matrix, Pontiac Vibe: Common Problems and ...
https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/2003-2008-corolla-matrix-pontiac-vibe-common-problems-and-potential-buyer-thread.1343825/page-2

Jul 28, 2023 ... Based on several thousand Corollas, Camrys, Tundras, etc that I have worked on as well as my BIL's faded 2001 and neighbors faded (and ...

2005 Vibe - Fuel pump problem. - GenVibe - Community for Pontiac ...
2005 Vibe - Fuel pump problem. - GenVibe - Community for Pontiac ...
https://forums.genvibe.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=21009

The thought of the tank getting low, which means the pump is sucking all the crud is an old wives tale, with no common sense behind it. If the ...

Is Something wrong with the pontiac Vibe? : r/cars
Is Something wrong with the pontiac Vibe? : r/cars
https://www.reddit.com/r/cars/comments/43iw1t/is_something_wrong_with_the_pontiac_vibe/

Jan 31, 2016 ... Is Something wrong with the pontiac Vibe? · Intake manifold gasket leak. · P0171 system too lean code. · Rough idle. · Drive belt Tensioner (causes ...

Other years of Pontiac Vibe

pontiac vibe 2002 photo
Vibe 2002
Pontiac

1

0

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
pontiac vibe 2003 photo
Vibe 2003
Pontiac

310

8

29

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
pontiac vibe 2004 photo
Vibe 2004
Pontiac

265

7

22

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
pontiac vibe 2005 photo
Vibe 2005
Pontiac

299

5

23

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
pontiac vibe 2006 photo
Vibe 2006
Pontiac

175

5

23

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
pontiac vibe 2007 photo
Vibe 2007
Pontiac

167

5

24

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

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2001 Pontiac Vibe photo