Page 2 of 6 · complaints 51–100 of 298

2003 Pontiac Vibe complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Power Train
Filed Apr 27, 2015120,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OVERDRIVE FEATURE FAILED TO DISENGAGE ON COMMAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Apr 6, 2015106,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY DISLODGED AND COLLAPSED INWARD. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIPS USED TO SECURE THE WINDOW FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BECOME UNSECURED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 30, 2015TN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V029000 (AIR BAGS), 14V655000 (AIR BAGS), AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Suspension
Filed Mar 16, 2015211,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER UNDER THE ENGINE, TO WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS ATTACHED, FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 13, 2015145,000 milesMT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS), THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT AIR BAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 2, 2015173,334 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,334.

Power Train
Filed Feb 2, 2015148,000 milesTX

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL, WORKING VERY HARD TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEARS. IT APPEARS TO BE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY THAT IS THE DEFECTIVE PART. CAR ISN'T DRIVABLE DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO PICK UP AND GO. NO INDICATOR LIGHTS HAVE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 13, 2014269,450 milesMI

I DROVE ON A MAIN HWY IN A MORE REMOTE LOCATION AT ABOUT 100KM WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN I HEARD A BIG BANG. AFTER COLLECTING MYSELF I REALIZED I COULD NOT SEE FORWARD AT ALL THE BACK MIRROR WAS KNOCKED OF THE WINDSHIELD AND THE SIDE MIRRORS WHERE MARGINALLY USABLE DUE TO TOO MUCH WATER AND SALT ON THE ROADS. WE BARELY MISSED A BIG TRUCK THAT WAS ONCOMING. I MANAGED TO PULL PARTIALLY OFF THE ROAD TO THEN PULL DOWN THE HOOD SO I COULD SEE WHERE I WAS GOING AFTER WHICH I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER. A NICE PERSON PULLED OVER AND TIED DOWN THE HOOD SO WE COULD DRIVE TO THE NEXT CITY TO CALL CAA AND NOT GET STUCK ON THE HWY IN THE DARK, A SAFER PLACE TO BE. WE MADE IT, BUT WE COULD HAVE HIT THE ONCOMING TRUCK JUST AS EASILY, WE CAME REALLY CLOSE TO HITTING HIM HEAD ON JUDGING BY LOOKING OUT THE SIDE WINDOW. THIS IS A POSSIBLY DEADLY FLAW IN THE HOOD CLOSING MECHANISM I BELIEVE THAT WILL SOME DAY COST SOME PERSON THERE LIVE!! WE WHERE LUCKY. IN THE END THE HOOD IS TOAST, THE WINDSHIELD IS FRIED AND THE ROOF IS DENTED, WE ALSO NOW HAVE A KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE WHICH WAS NOT PRESENT BEFORE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 21, 2014120,000 milesPA

I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION ON MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE AND I WAS LEAVING MY PLACE OF BUSINESS A FEW DAYS AFTER THE PROBLEM STARTED AND MY RPMS DROPPED TO 0 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND THEN IT SEEMED TO OF "CAUGHT" AND I DROVE TO WHERE I NEEDED TO GO, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP AND ONCE IT TURNED OFF IT WOULDN'T RESTART. THEY SEEMED TO THINK IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE I ORIGINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE 6 MONTHS AGO SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO I DID AND THEY AGREED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NOT STARTING THEY TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND AFTER IT SAT THERE FOR 3 WEEKS LEAVING ME WITHOUT A CAR , I WAS THEN TOLD IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER FOR THE CAR AND WILL COST ME $1100 TO FIX. HOWEVER I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. HOWEVER I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY CAR AND ONE OF THE 3 RECALLS IS FOR THE ECM. ISN'T THAT THE SAME AS THE 'MAIN COMPUTER' IN THE CAR AND SHOULDN'T THE DEALER FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE AND BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS. SO NOW I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR A MONTH FOR WHAT SHOULD OF BEEN FIXED BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 18, 2014125,000 milesOH

MY HUSBAND WAS CUT OFF ON AN EXIT RAMP ON 62EAST. WHEN HE CRASHED HE HIT A TREE HEAD ON CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND CUT OPEN HIS HEAD. HE STILL HAS PAIN AND ISSUES WITHIN HIS ACCIDENT AREA AND I THINK THIS IS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG RECALLS AND FEEL THAT IF THERE ARE CONTINUOUS CHECKS AND ISSUES THAT WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN ANY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COMPANY FOR THE NEGLIGENCE UPON THE ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 2014NM

2003 PONTIAC VIBE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND AIRBAG RECALL NOTICES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE KEEPS GETTING RECALL NOTICES, FOR THE 2003 MODEL VEHICLE SHE DONATED. HER CURRENT 2009 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLE HAS NO RECALLS. *JB UPDATED 11/19/14. *JB

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 4, 2014NM

I DONATED THIS CAR TO KERA PUBLIC RADIO IN DALLASTEXAS IN ABOUT MARCH, 2011. SINCE THEN I HAVE RECEIVED NOTICES OF THE RECALL OF THIS CAR, EVEN THOUGH I NO LONGER OWN IT. I WANT TO KNOW THAT THE CURRENT OWNER IS GETTING THOSE NOTICES AND HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 24, 2014NJ

I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH GM FOR WELL OVER A YEAR IN REGUARDS TO MULTIPLE RECALLS ON MY CARS AIR BAG SYSTEM. DURING THIS TIME I HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN GIVEN THE RUN AROUND BY THEM AND THEY'RE DEALER, O'NEAL BUICK IN WARMINSTER, PA, WITH REGUARDS TO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AVAILABILITY OF PARTS, AND OVERALL LACK OF CONCERN THAT A VITAL SAFETY SYSTEM DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. TO ADD INSULT TO THE SITUATION, AFTER THE INTIAL ROUND OF RECALLS WHEN THEY WORKED ON PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, MY AIR BAG LIGHT WAS TRIGGERED. I HAD A MECHANIC DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THE SYSTEM NOW HAS A SHORT IN IT. THE DEALER WILL BE HAPPY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR A FEE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 23, 2014115,000 milesMI

INITIAL RECALL (#08V162000) FOR LOOSE WINDOW BOLTS CONDUCTED IN 2008. RECENTLY NOTICED DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WINDOW AGAIN LOOSE AND RATTLING WHEN WINDOW IS PART WAY DOWN (AS BEFORE WITH ORIGINAL RECALL IN 2008). CONCERN IS THE WINDOW GLASS COULD BECOME DISENGAGED FROM LIFTING TRACK AND SHATTER RESULTING IN DISTRACTING THE DRIVER AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 8, 2014140,000 milesHI

PONTIAC/GM HAS ISSUED SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THE AIRBAG AND COMPONENTS. (RECALL #13030, 13113, & 14491.) THE DEALER DOES NOT STOCK THE MANDATORY PARTS FOR RECALL #13030, AND THE PARTS FOR RECALL #14491 ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET. (THEY ARE STILL "MAKING" THEM.) SO AT A MINIMUM I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE MY CAR IN TWICE TO GET IT FIXED, AND PROBABLY A THIRD TIME SINCE THE PARTS FOR RECALL 14491 ARE NOT AVAILABLE YET, EVEN THOUGH I RECEIVED A NOTICE TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR IT. THIS IS HORRIBLY INCONVENIENT FOR THE CONSUMER. WHILE IT IS "NO CHARGE", THERE IS A HUGE TIME PENALTY TO GET THESE RECALLS FIXED. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Sep 5, 2014NV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V350000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNCERTAIN OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.... UPDATED 06-02-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. UPDATED 06/11/15*JB

Air Bags
Filed Aug 29, 2014225,000 milesMN

RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON VEHICLE AIRBAG MODULE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO A GM DEALERSHIP TO DO THE WORK, WORK WAS PERFORMED TO PLACE A RADIO HARNESS ON THE MODULE. SUDDENLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THIS REPAIR. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL US THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL AND THAT THE MODULE WAS BAD. THIS IS NOT ACCURATE AS WE HAD REPLACED THE MODULE. THE WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING US HEFTY DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG SYSTEM PRIOR TO THIS RECALL WORK. REPEATED REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM GM HAVE NOT BEEN ANSWERED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Aug 20, 2014199,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. AFTER ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Aug 20, 2014900 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME, THE CONTACT COULD NOT READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY. THE LIGHTING WAS ADJUSTED TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 6/3/15*CN

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 20, 2014MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE TRAVELING ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL AND DID NOT RECALL THE DETAILS OF HOW THE CRASH OCCURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES INCLUDING RODS IN THE NECK, MEMORY LOSS, HEADACHES, A HUGE LACERATION ON THE FOREHEAD, AND BECAME DISABLED. THE CONTACT CANNOT TURN HIS HEAD TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT UNLESS TURNING FROM THE WAIST IN WHICH HE STILL HAS SIGNIFICANT BACK PAIN FROM THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 19, 2014109,000 milesNC

MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE RECEIVED OVER $10000 IN DAMAGES AND WAS JUDGED TOTALED DUE TO A COLLISION WITH A LINCOLN TOWNCAR ON JULY 13, 2014. THE LINCOLN STRUCK THE FRONT OF MY CAR AT AN ANGLE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO MY PATH FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH AND HAD LITTLE TIME TO REACT AND BRAKE PRIOR TO THE IMPACT. THE IMPACT DROVE THE FRONT BUMPER INTO THE RADIATOR AND THE RADIATOR INTO THE ENGINE DOING A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY TO PREVENT ME FROM BEING INJURED. THE POLICE OFFICER RESPONDING TO THE INCIDENT ALSO INDICATED SURPRISE THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT. THERE HAD BEEN PRIOR RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THAT WERE AIR BAG RELATED AND I HAD RESPONDED TO ALL OF THEM BY TAKING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Aug 19, 201460,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V312000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MODULE INFLATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 15, 2014CT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V3120000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 29, 2014129,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FAILED TO OPEN PROPERLY. IN ADDITION, THE WINDOW WOULD BECOME STUCK AND WAS UNABLE TO BE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 16, 2014MN

NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED BY NHTSA REGARDING INABILITY TO READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT ON EARLY MODEL PONTIAC VIBES. RE: 567158, 767385, 10005009, 10034473, 10056016, ETC. I AM UNAWARE OF ANY SOLUTION BEING OFFERED BY GM FOR THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A SAFELY ISSUE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 30, 201462,000 milesVA

2003 PONTIAC VIBE 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. BEARINGS FAILED RESULTING IN GRINDING NOISE. MECHANIC SAYS THIS COULD'VE RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC LOCK-UP OF TRANSMISSION LEADING TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED BEFORE INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE ENDEMIC TO PONTIAC VIBE AND TOYOTA MATRIX 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *JS

Air Bags
Filed Mar 6, 2014NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS:13V133000 (AIR BAGS) AND 13V029000 ( AIR BAGS). THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR EITHER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED AN UNREASONABLE DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 05/05/2014*LJ UPDATED 05/9/2014 *JS *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 12, 2013TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V133000 (AIR BAGS ) BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT SINCE THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED IN APRIL OF 2013, THERE SHOULD BE A REMEDY AVAILABLE BEFORE DECEMBER OF 2013. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 9, 201390,000 milesWI

WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL NOTIFICATION WE RECEIVED IN JUNE. WE GOT ANOTHER NOTICE IN NOVEMBER FROM PONTIAC STATING THAT INDEED WE WERE. SO WE ARE CONCERNED WHY WE WERE TOLD NO THE FIRST TIME. THANK YOU *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Dec 7, 201364,678 milesCA

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON 11/29/2013 ON CROW CANYON, SAN RAMON, CA AND THE INDIVIDUAL IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON THERE BRAKES AND IN TURN I DID THE SAME AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND TOTALED MY FRONT END. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY BODY SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH IN TURN HURT MY CHEST BADLY. THE SAN RAMION PD WAS SHOCKED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I REC'D A RECALL NOTICE ON 1/2012 STATING THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. NEVER WAS RESOLVED BY THE GMC PONTIAC. THANK GOODNESS I WAS WEARING MY SEATBELT OR I HAVE GONE THRU THE WIND SHIELD. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE GMC CORPORATION SHOULD HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM LONG AGO AND DID NOT. THIS IS NOT CORRECT. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEFECT OF AIRBAGS FOR NOT RESOLVING THE AIRBAGS LONG AGO. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 7, 201364,678 milesCA

I WAS IN A ACCIDENT ON 11/29/2013 ON CROW CANYON, SAN RAMON, CA AND THE INDIVIDUAL IN FRONT OF ME SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES SO I IN TURN DID THE SAME AND MY VEHICLE HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND TOTALED MY FRONT END. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND MY BODY SLAMMED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH IN TURN HURT MY CHEST. THE SAN RAMON P.D WAS SHOCKED THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON 1/2012 STATING THE PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE. NEVER WAS RESOLVED BY GMC/PONTIAC. HAD I NOT BEEN WEARING MY SEAT BELT I WOULD HAVE GONE THRU WINDSHIELD. THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE GMC PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE RESOLVED THE PROBLEM ABOUT THE AIRBAGS. THIS IS JUST NOT CORRECT. SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DEFECT. UPDATED 12/18/13*CN

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 13, 2013WI

2003 PONTIAC VIBE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ODOMETER DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SPEEDOMETER FROZE AT 299,999 MILES. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GM, HE WAS INSTRUCTED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN, WHICH STATED THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND THE COST TO FIX IT, WAS $830 AND GM WOULD NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THE COST. THE FIX, WAS TO REPLACE THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND PUT A DOOR PLAQUE ON THAT STATED THE ACTUAL MILEAGE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 23, 2013CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V133000 (AIR BAGS) AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Power Train
Filed Sep 13, 2013141,000 milesMI

JUST LEAVING FOR A TRIP FROM MICHIGAN TO TENN. DRIVING 70 MPH ON I-75 SOUTH WHEN COMING DOWN A STEEP OVER PASS, I HEARD RATTLING IN MY ENGINE AND THUMPING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SPOT ON I-75 WITH MANY TRUCKS TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED COMING DOWN FROM THIS OVERPASS. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS, IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. WHEN I BARELY COASTED TO A SEMI-SAFE SPOT MY DAUGHTER GOT OUT AND SAID THE TIRE IS NOT FLAT. I SHIFTED MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION 6 SPEED VIBE GT INTO 1ST GEAR LET OFF THE CLUTCH ONLY TO FIND IT DIDN'T RESPOND. UPSET BECAUSE I HAD JUST BECOME UNEMPLOYED 3 MOS PRIOR AND VOLUNTARILY RETURNED MY 2012 CHEVY SONIC BACK TO THE CREDIT UNION. WITHDREW WHAT I HAD IN MY 401K TO PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE TO ENSURE TRANSPORTATION THAT WAS PAID IN FULL ONLY 6 WEEKS AGO. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH THIS YEAR PONTIAC VIBE. I BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED INSTEAD OF ALLOWING THE CONSUMER TO ABSORB THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WHICH IS AN OBVIOUS FLAW AT THE MANUFACTURER LEVEL. *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Jul 10, 201389,000 milesVT

THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCED RESULTED IN A CRASH, ALTHOUGH THE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AND IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES (SEEMS LIKE A HYDRAULIC ISSUE?). THE ENGINE DOESN'T CUT OFF. YOU CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE AND STEERING FEEL IS RESTORED. WHEN POWER IS LOST TO THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER. NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED, BUT OCCASIONALLY, WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH THE FOOT ON THE CLUTCH, THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS, AND THEN OF COURSE, YOU LOSE ALL POWER. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD A SLOW SPEED CRASH WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS WEEK WHERE THIS VERY INFREQUENT, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS IS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT PURCHASED JULY 31, 2002. THE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ONLY A FEW TIMES OVER THE ALMOST 90,000 MILES BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR US, THE POWER STEERING FAILURE THIS TIME RESULTED IN A CRASH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE ENGINE GENERALLY DOES NOT STALL BUT YOU ARE PUT IN A VERY SCARY SITUATION. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 28, 2013130,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V133000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPECTED DATE FOR THE REMEDY PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 12, 201370,000 milesCA

MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 225,000 MILES ON IT. 3 TIMES AT APPROXIMATELY 70,000, 140,000, AND 215,000 MILES, MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD GOING DOWNHILL AT 40MPH. THE SECOND TIME I HAD JUST MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AT @ 20MPH TO GET ON THE FREEWAY, THE THIRD TIME I WAS GOING STRAIGHT DOWN A CITY STREET AT 10MPH. IN EACH CASE, THE CAR JUST STOPS WHILE DRIVING AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL. THE CAR CAN BE STARTED UP AFTER WITHOUT A PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC BELIEVES IT IS A COMPUTER ISSUE, OUTSIDE OF THAT, HE CAN'T COME UP WITH ANYTHING ELSE. NO ERROR GETS LOGGED ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN THE CAR. THIS CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED OVER THE YEARS VERY WELL. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I DRIVE A LOT OF FREEWAY MILES AND IF THIS OCCURS WHILE I AM IN TRAFFIC I AM SURE A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Apr 19, 2013NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V133000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE NOTIFICATION INDICATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ARRIVAL DATE FOR THE PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE BUT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Apr 12, 201381,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MERGE TO THE SHOULDER. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A HEADACHE FROM THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V029000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,000. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 11, 201330,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN TIBIAS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 27, 201365,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMING A STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jan 11, 201367,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW GLASS BOLTS LOOSENED AND SEPARATED FROM ITS HOUSING CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SEPARATE FROM THE MANUAL WINDOW REGULATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 2/21/13 UPDATED 6/13/13 *CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR ASSEMBLY. INVOICE RECEIVED 06/17/13

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 19, 2012CA

HAD A DRUNK DRIVER HIT ME HEAD-ON (HE MAY HAVE BEEN DOING 40MPH..) I WAS DOING MAYBE 25MPH DOWN A MAJOR BLVD. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRUNK WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE. BOTH CARS TOTALED. HIS AIRBAG WENT OFF. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 10, 2012138,000 milesOH

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON A STATE ROUTE WHEN I WAS HIT BROADSIDE BY A FORD EXPLORER. MY CAR ROLLED OVER BEFORE FLIPPING END-OVER-END INTO A CULVERT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 9, 201252,740 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON NOTTINGHAM DR. AT THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH WESTOVER BLVD ( I HAD A GREEN LIGHT ) WHEN A WHITE LEXUS TURNED LEFT ON TO N. WESTOVER BLVD IN FRONT OF ME. THE LEXUS WAS TOO CLOSE TO AVOID AND THE FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE CORNER OF MY CAR IMPACTED THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR AND REAR WHEEL OF THE LEXUS, TURNING IT 180 DEGREES CLOCKWISE. THE SIDE AIR CURTAINS OF THE LEXUS DEPLOYED BUT THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR DID NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THE AIR BAGS IN MY CAR SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *TR

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Mar 31, 2012NY

I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR SINCE 2003, IN 2008 I HAD FAILURE OF THE POWER WINDOW ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, IT WAS FIXED BY THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD TO RETURN IF PROBLEMS OCCURRED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. YESTERDAY I HEARD THE FAMILIAR CLUNK OF THE WINDOW AND KNOW IT IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL IN 2008. I SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE AT GMC (COLIN) VIA EMAIL AND WAS TOLD THIS RECALL IS NO LONGER VALID. IS THIS TRUE, I THOUGHT RECALLS WERE GOOD FOR 10 YEARS. WHAT TO DO? PONTIAC IS OUT OF BUSINESS? *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jan 18, 201280,000 milesAR

OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, MY BATTERY GOES DEAD WHEN THE TEMPERATURE APPROACHES OR GOES BELOW FREEZING. I REPLACED THE BATTERY ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF AGO BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY THE INCIDENTS HAVE CONTINUED. I USED TO KEEP MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AND THE INCIDENTS WERE MORE LIMITED. I NOW KEEP MY CAR OUTSIDE AND THE FREQUENCY HAS INCREASED TO ALMOST EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. SUCH AN INCIDENT IN JANUARY 2011 CAUSED MY CD PLAYER TO STOP WORKING. DECEMBER 2011 AND JANUARY 2012 THE INCIDENTS CONTINUED. I REMOVED THE STEREO HEAD UNIT IN CASE THAT WAS THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THE INCIDENTS OF THE BATTERY GOING DEAD HAVE CONTINUED WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS AROUND OR BELOW FREEZING.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 6, 2011299,999 milesTN

I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 PONTIAC VIBE FROM A LOCAL PONTIAC DEALER BACK IN MARCH OF 2003. I USE THE CAR AS A SERVICE VEHICLE FOR THE COMPANY I WORK FOR AND HAVE KEPT THE MAINTENANCE UP ON IT FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS WITH GREAT DEPENDABILITY. ON 11/17/10 AROUND NOON MY ODOMETER FINALLY REACHED THE 299,999 MILE MARK AND I WAITED FOR IT TO CHANGE OVER TO 300,000 BUT IT NEVER DID. I WENT ON LINE TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS. THE ONLY SOLUTIONS I FOUND WERE TO EITHER HAVE THE ODOMETER SET BACK TO ZERO, OR PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MY CONCERN IS BREAKING ANY ODOMETER FRAUD LAWS IF I WERE TO SELL OR TRADE IT IN. IT SHOULD BE THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME, I FEEL. I PLAN ON DRIVING THE CAR AS LONG AS IT LASTS. THANKS FOR YOUR SITE. *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 5, 2011134,567 milesFL

WHILE LEAVING A STOPLIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AND LOCKED UP BOTH FRONT WHEELS/AXLES COMPLETELY STOPPING THE CAR AND MAKING IT NOT MOVABLE EXCEPT BY A WRECKER TRUCK. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 201195,400 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE A READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MECHANIC STATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,400. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Pontiac Vibe → · Every Vibe year → · How the figures are calculated →