2004 Pontiac Vibe complaints

THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IS MAKING A CRACKING LIKE NOISE WHEN IT IS LOWERED, WHEN THIS NOISE OCCURS THE WINDOW SHAKES A LITTLE BIT. IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH IT WILL MAKE THE WINDOW SHATTER, AND I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IT WILL SOONER OR LATER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING CONSISTENTLY FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF. I HAVE AN 04 PONTIAC VIBE. *TR

DURING JANUARY OF 2007 I NOTICED THAT MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS MAKING A RATTLING NOISE EVERYTIME I WOULD OPEN AND SHUT MY DOOR. I NEEDED TO GET SOME WORK DONE SO I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A REGULAR TUNE UP AND MENTIONED THE RATTLING IN THE DOOR AND MY CONCERN WITH THE WINDOW. AFTER MY CAR WAS RETURNED THEY HAD ASSURED ME THAT MY WINDOW WAS LOOKED AT AND NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS THE RATTLING STARTED AGAIN. ONE WARM NIGHT I HAD MY WINDOW DOWN AND AFTER TRYING TO PUT IT UP, MY WINDOW CAME UP CROOKED. I SLOWLY PUT MY WINDOW DOWN AND TRIED TO PULL IT UP SLOWLY AND STRAIGHT IN FEAR OF RAIN THAT NIGHT. AFTER ONE TIME OF TRYING TO PUT IT BACK UP MY WINDOW SHATTERED ON ME WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVER'S SEAT. I WAS COVERED IN GLASS AND SUFFERED FROM MINOR GLASS CUTS. THERE ARE STILL PIECES OF GLASS I AM FINDING THROUGHOUT MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. AFTER GETTING MY WINDOW FIXED A COUPLE DAYS LATER I WAS TOLD THAT MY WINDOW SHOULD BE STABLE AND IN WORKING PROPERLY. BY THE END OF OCTOBER, I STARTED NOTICING A NOISE COMING OUT OF THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. I NOTICED THAT MY WINDOW WAS OUT OF PLACE AND THERE IS A QUARTER OF AN INCH OF WINDOW THAT DOES NOT MEET THE SEAL. ALONG THE EDGES THE SEAL IS STARTING TO PEAL OUT AND THERE IS AIR GETTING THROUGH. THIS HAS ALSO STARTED ALONG THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AS WELL. IN DECEMBER OF 2007 I WENT TO PUT MY WINDOW DOWN AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND FOUND THAT MY WINDOW, ONCE AGAIN, WAS COMING IN CROO

WINDOWS STICK AND SOUND LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO BREAK WHEN POWER WINDOWS ARE ENGAGED. *TR

ROLLING UP DRIVER SIDE WINDOW THE WINDOW POPPED AND SHATTERED. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND HAD IT REPLACED - $250. IT HAD RECENTLY COME OFF TRACK AGAIN AND WHILE LOOKING UNDER THE DOOR PANEL MYSELF I CAN SEE WHERE THE BOLT IS GRINDING INTO THE DOOR AND NOT MOVING ALL THE WAY UP THE TRACK. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. MY DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS BEEN MAKING "POPPING" NOISES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I CONTINUE TO VIEW REPORTS ABOUT THESE WINDOWS SHATTERING AND I AM QUITE CONCERNED SINCE THE NOISE MY WINDOW IS MAKING IS IDENTICAL TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE WINDOW SHATTERING. AS A RESULT, I USE THE WINDOW MINIMALLY TO AVOID SUCH AN OCCURRENCE. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND RECALL MADE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

I OWN A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. LAST SUMMER IT BEGAN TO POP/CLICK WHEN ROLLING IT UP OR DOWN. IT SHATTERED IN MY LAP AND I DID RECEIVE MINOR CUTS WHEN ROLLING IT UP DURING A RAIN STORM. I THOUGHT THAT SOMEONE HAD ACTUALLY SHOT AT ME BECAUSE IT WAS SUDDEN AND SHATTERED COMPLETELY. AT THAT TIME, I HAD A GLASS SPECIALIST COME TO FIX IT AND WAS TOLD BY THE MAN THAT IT IS COMMON IN VIBES AND THAT HE HAD REPLACED MANY OF THEM. I JUST HAPPENED TO BE IN MY DRIVE WHEN IT SHATTERED BUT IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN ME CRASHING. I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND HAD IT FIXED JUST THIS PAST SEPTEMBER. NOW, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SIMPLY FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR. I HAVE PAID OVER $380 ON THIS WINDOW AND IT STILL IS NOT FIXED. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY WINDOW REGULATOR. MY WINDOW IS STILL NOT FIXED, A FRIEND WEDGED IT UP UNTIL I CAN GET THIS RESOLVED. I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I SAID IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING, I FEEL THAT IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. I DID RECEIVE MINOR CUTS JUST SITTING IN MY DRIVE. GLASS WAS ALL OVER ME AS WELL AS MY DRIVE WAY. IT SHOT AT LEAST 20 FEET AWAY. *TR

THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW MAKES A STRANGE POPPING NOISE WHEN CLOSING. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO CRACK. *TR

FRONT PASSENGER HEADLINER LEAKED WATER ONTO SEAT AND DOOR ARM REST AFTER EXTENDED PERIOD OF RAIN. SAME PROBLEM HAD PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED ON DRIVERS SIDE, DRIPPING ON DRIVER,WHICH BECAME A DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAR HAS AN ELECTRIC SUNROOF. DRAINS WERE NOT VISIBLY PLUGGED OR JAMMED. *TR

FRONT DRIVER POWER WINDOW "POPS" WHEN ROLLING DOWN AS IF CATCHING ON SOMETHING IN THE DOOR. CONCERN IS THAT WINDOW MAY EVENTUALLY CATCH AND SHATTER CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY IF VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. *TR

PASSENGER WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $1079.50 FOR NEW REGULATOR, MOTOR, GLASS AND TIGHTENING OF PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BOLTS.. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE GLASS SHATTERED WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN. THE GLASS SHATTERED ON HER SON'S SHOES AND HE WAS CUT. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE AND IT WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BOLTS WERE LOOSE, THE MOTOR BLEW OUT, AND THE REGULATOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

HOOD PROP HAS FAILED TWICE IN THE FOUR YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. WHILE CHECKING OIL OR ENGINE THE HOOD JUST FALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE PROP OR ARM THAT HOLDS UP THE HOOD FAILS AT THE LOCATION WHERE IT RESTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

I AM A RESIDENT OF CANADA BUT THINK YOU SHOULD HERE MY COMPLAINT. WE HAVE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW OF OUR 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. THE WINDOW FINALLY FAILED AND CAME OFF THE TRACK AND RIGHT OUT OF THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. LUCKILY WE DID NOT USE IT ANY MORE UNTIL WE WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY PUT IT BACK ON TRACK AND IN PLACE. THEY THEN TOLD US IT WOULD COST ALMOST $400 TO REPAIR A STRIPPED WINDOW REGULATOR. OUR WARRANTY WAS UP 3 MONTHS AGO DUE TO TIMING. THERE IS STILL ONLY 35000MILES ON VEHICLE. WE DID NOT HAVE THE REPAIR AND CONTACTED G.M. CANADA THEY SAID THEY WOULD LOOK INTO IT, HAVE NOT HEARD BACK. I THEN SEEN THE ARTICLES THAT NHTS IS INVESTIGATING MANY SIMILAR FAILURES IN OTHER VIBES. I CONTACTED TRANSPORT CANADA BUT THEIR INVESTIGATOR DID NOT THINK IT WAS SAFETY RELATED. THAT IS WHY I AM CONTACTING YOU TO MAKE SURE THIS PROBLEM IS BROUGHT TO YOUR ATTENTION. IT DEFINITELY THINK IT IS SAFETY RELATED AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED AND THINK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE MADE RECALL AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *JB

DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STARTED MAKING NOISES WHEN PUTTING IT UP. AS TIME WENT ON, THE NOISES GOT WORSE, UNTIL THE WINDOW FINALLY SHATTERED. WE HAD THE WINDOW REPLACED, AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE SAME PROBLEM STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. I CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE IN THE EL PASO TIMES FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REGARDING THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS SHATTERING WHEN IT IS BEING RAISED AND LOWERED. I DID HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO ME IN MY PONTIAC VIBE. THE WINDOW SHATTERED AS I WAS RAISING IT. I WENT INTO THE PONTIAC DEALER AND THEY HAD A VERY HARD TIME GETTING THE PARTS THEY NEEDED TO REPAIR THE WINDOW, IT TOOK THEM ALMOST A WEEK TO HAVE MY CAR READY. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR IT WAS STILL NOT FIXED CORRECTLY. THEY TOOK THE CAR BACK INTO THE GARAGE WHILE I WAITED AND MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO IT AND WHEN THEY BROUGHT THE CAR OUT TO ME THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS THE BEST THEY COULD DO. AIR COMES THROUGH THE WINDOW BECAUSE IT IS NOT SEALED CORRECTLY. THEY SAID THE WINDOW WAS SECURE AND SHOULD NOT SHATTER AGAIN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP WHEN HE RAISED THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW. THE FRONT PART OF THE WINDOW DETACHED FROM THE DOOR AND A SMALL PART OF THE WINDOW CAME APART. AS OF OCTOBER 18, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OPEN FOR THE VISIBILITY: GLASS, SIDE/REAR (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE07049). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,700.

MY 2004 PONTIAC VIBE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED. I HEARD A METAL CLANG, LIKE A PART FALLING OFF INSIDE THE DOOR WHEN THE WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN. SHORTLY WINDOW AFTERWARD THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED CUTTING MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW PRODUCES METALLIC RUBBING SOUND UPON RAISING OR LOWERING WINDOW GLASS. *JB

MY 2004 PONTIAC VIBES DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS GETTING OFF TRACK. WHEN I TRIED TO GENTLY MOVE IT BACK INTO PLACE, IT SHATTERED. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW OF OUR 2004 PONTIAC VIBE MAKING POPPING NOISE WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING. SOUNDS LIKE IT'S OFF THE TRACK AND SNAGGING ON SOMETHING. WE STOPPED USING THE WINDOW AND CONTACTED THE PONTIAC DEALER. THEY WANT OVER $100 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. NEWSPAPER ARTICLE SAYS OTHER VIBE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SHATTERED WINDOWS WHICH IS WHAT I FEAR IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO OURS. PONTIAC SHOULD FIX THIS DESIGN DEFECT ASAP. *TR

I HAD TWO EVENTS OF FAILED FRONT DOOR WINDOWS ON 2004 PONTIAC VIBE ONE WITH BROKEN GLASS ALL OVER DRIVERS SEAT, RECEIVED ONLY MINOR CUTS CLEANING UP AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THE WINDOWS CAME OUT OF THE TRACK AND WITH GREAT FORCE SHATTERED. *JB INTO MANY PIECES. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN IT DID NOT BREAK ONLY CAME OFF TRACK. THE LOCAL WINDOW COMPANY WOULD NOT REPAIR DO TO REPUTATION OF THIS HAPPENING. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER, WHO REPAIR IT. BOTH TIMES THIS HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED AND ONLY CAME OFF TRACK WAS RECENT AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. I'LL WAIT TO SEE IF I HEAR FROM YOU BEFORE ITS REPAIRED. *JB

WHEN I BRIEFLY STOPPED ON MY WAY INTO WORK ON 9/19/2007 IN MY 2004 PONTIAC VIBE, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHEN I CLOSED THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO OBVIOUS DAMAGE AND THE WINDOW SEEMED TO WORK OKAY. I THEN DROVE TO WORK AND ENTERED OUR PARKING GARAGE WHERE I LOWERED THE WINDOW TO USE A PASS. WHEN I RAISED THE WINDOW, IT STUCK ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE TOP. I DECIDED TO INSPECT IT AFTER I PARKED, BUT ON MY WAY UP THE PARKING RAMP, THE WINDOW EXPLODED. GLASS WAS BLOWN THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR. FORTUNATELY, I DIDN'T SUFFER ANY INJURIES ALTHOUGH THE LOUD NOISE AND EXPLODING GLASS WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS I HAD BEEN SHOT AT. I IMMEDIATELY PUT ON THE BRAKES AND DUCKED DOWN. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND ME. I PARKED AND HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPAIR. I READ THE COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS IN YOUR NHTSA FILE. SEVERAL CONCERN THE SAME PROBLEM. A NOISE AND THEN THE WINDOW CRACKS, BREAKS OR EXPLODES. WHY IS THERE NOT AN INVESTIGATION? *TR

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, THE WINDOW MADE IT'S USUAL POPPING/CLICKING SOUND AND THEN STOPPED. THE WINDOW CONTROL WAS THEN ACTIVATED AGAIN IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOWER AND THEN RAISE THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO REPONSE AND THEN "BAM"--THE WINDOW SHATTERED SENDING GLASS FRAGMENTS INTO THE CAR AND OUTSIDE. SOME FRAGMENTS FLEW 8 TO 10 FEET. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AS SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR STANDING CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE WINDOW HAS ALWAYS HAD A POPPING OR CLICKING SOUND WHEN RAISING THE WINDOW--THE NOISE WAS ALSO NOTICED ON THREE OTHER PONTIAC VIBES DRIVEN WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED.

I HAVE BEEN HEARING A POPPING SOUND ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WINDOW FOR A WHILE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS. WHEN I WENT TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW IT STARTED STICKING ,THEN AS IT WAS GOING ALL THE WAY UP THERE WAS ANOTHER POPPING SOUND AND THE WINDOW BLEW. I BROUGHT IT TO A PLACE TO BE FIXED. THIS POPPING SOUND ALSO HAPPEND WITH THE 2003 VIBE, BUT THE WINDOW DIDN'T BREAK.*AK

REPEATED EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR AND VIBRATION/NOISE - 2004 PONTIAC VIBE AWD. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES WITHOUT CORRECTING PROBLEM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2004 PONTIAC VIBE WENT OUT. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND THEY FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD SUCH SEVERE DAMAGE THAT IT COULD NOT BE REBUILT. THE COST $2500.00 ON A CAR THAT WE THOUGHT WE COULD DEPEND ON. OUR 2003 HONDA CIVIC HAS TWICE AS MANY MILES ON IT WITHOUT ANY COSTLY REPAIRS. PONTIAC TOLD US TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEM. WHEN WE TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING FIXED THEY BASICALLY TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR US BECAUSE WE DID NOT BRING THE VEHICLE TO THEM FIRST. WE IMMEDIATELY HAD THE PROCESS STOPPED, UNTIL WE COULD FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION. WE CONTACTED GM TO REGISTER OUR COMPLAINT. AFTER A FEW MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH GM AND ELHART PONTIAC, HOLLAND MICHIGAN, WE WERE TOLD TO CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED AND TO BRING THE TRANSMISSION OUT TO ELHART. CUSTOMER SERVICE, AT ELHART, FOUND THAT A CLIP OR A BEARING HAD COME LOOSE AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. THIS IS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN ON VEHICLES WITH 78,000 MILES ON THEM. WE WERE THEN TOLD THAT WE WOULD HAVE A THREE WAY CONVERSATION WITH GM, ELHART AND OURSELVES TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY DISCOVERED AND SEE IF WE WERE ELIGIBLE FOR ANY ASSISTANCE. THIS CONVERSATION NEVER HAPPENED. WE SIMPLY RECEIVED A PHONE CALL SAYING THAT WE WERE DENIED OF ANY ASSISTANCE. THIS DECISION CAME FROM THE DISTRICT MANAGER, WHOSE NAME WE WERE DENIED, AND WE ARE ALSO BEING DENIED ACCESS TO ANY AND ALL OF THE RECORDS THAT GENERAL MOTORS WAS GIVEN. WHEN WE ASKED TO

DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW BEGAN STICKING AT A CERTAIN POINT WHEN ROLLED UP OR DOWN. ROLLED WINDOW UP AND WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING. *AK

ON THE MORNING OF FEB. 5, 2007, IT TOOK ABOUT 3 ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR. I ATTRIBUTED IT TO THE COLD WEATHER SINCE IT WAS AN EXTREMELY COLD MORNING (30 F). I DROVE TO WORK. WHEN IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE WORK THE CAR WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, I CALLED AAA. A TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE BATTERY AND FOUND IT TO BE IN PERFECT CONDITION, WHICH WAS EXPECTED SINCE IT WAS A NEW BATTERY. THE CAR COULD NOT BE JUMPED. I HAD TO WAIT FOR A FLAT BED TRUCK TO COME PICK ME UP. AFTER RESEARCHING THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S WEBSITE, I FOUND THAT GM HAD KNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STARTER ASSEMBLY RELATING TO THIS VEHICLE BACK IN JANUARY 2004. THE NOTED STATEMENT WAS "HARD TO START, SLOW CRANKING CONDITION IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE BELOW 20 DEGREES"F. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT WAS NEVER CORRECTED AND CAUSED ME TO BE STRANDED IN AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT UNTIL 8:30 PM. THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT THIS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECT EXISTED SINCE THE CAR ROLLED OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE. THE FUNCTIONING OF THE STARTER ASSEMBLY SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT AT BEST. TOTAL FAILURE OF THIS STARTER ASSEMBLY OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECT NOT BEING CORRECTED. I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURER, GM, SHOULD REPLACE THE STARTER ASSEMBLY WITH A WORKING MODEL. *JB

2004 VIBE GLASS SUNROOF CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE GLASS STRUCK THE ROAD AND SHATTERED. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT SHE WASN'T AWARE THAT THE GLASS PANEL HAD BLOWN OFF UNTIL SHE HEARD THE FRAME MAKING NOISE. THE TRACKS AND FRAME WERE STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARED AS THOUGH THE ADHESIVE GAVE WAY. *NM

AFTER 33700 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING, MY 2004 PONTIAC VIBE GT NEEDS A CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS "NORMAL WEAR" BY THE DEALERSHIP, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH FAIL AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE.*JB

JANUARY 2005 WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2004 PONTIAC VIBE FROM WADE RAULERSON GM PONTIAC. THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 39,000 MILES. DURING THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP A TICKING NOISE WAS NOTICED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED US THAT AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED AND THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE WAS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR. DURING OUR OWNERSHIP A 71 YEAR OLD WOMAN HAS DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE PLACING 6,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN 18 MONTHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS WAS FLAWED AND THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURERS SOLD US A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. GM AND THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF $10,026 WITH A 50/50 SPLIT OR A USED ENGINE FOR A COST TO US OF LITTLE UNDER $5,000. THE FINAL WRITTEN ESTIMATE PROVIDED TO US WAS FOR $3800.00 PLUS TO BE CHARGED TO US. IT IS AGAIN OBVIOUS THAT A DEALERSHIP WHICH CERTIFIES AN ENGINE THAT SO MISERABLY FAILS IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE LICENSED AND A MANUFACTURER WHO PUTS A PRODUCT OUT SUCH AS THIS IS NEGLIGENT. CHILDREN WERE DRIVEN REGULARLY IN THIS HUNK OF JUNK AND IT IS BY GRACE THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE WHETHER MEDIATION OF THE PROBLEM OR SANCTION OF THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER WOULD BE APPRECIATED. *JB

THE BATTERY FAILED AFTER ONLY 13,000 MILES ON MY PONTIAC 2004 VIBE. THE THREE YEAR WARRANTY ENDED TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE FAILURE OF THE BATTERY. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY HAD INSUFFICIENT POWER (310 CCA) FOR EVEN THE SMALL 1.8 LITER ENGINE IN THE VIBE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED AND SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. AFTER HEARING A RATTLING SOUND, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND WAS INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT. THE SHATTERED SUNROOF WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICED BECAUSE THE INTERIOR SUNROOF COVER WAS CLOSED. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR HOURS, THE SHATTERED SUNROOF WAS DETECTED. AFTER DETAILED INSPECTATION OF THE SUNROOF THE SUNROOF GLASS APPEARED DULL AND WAS STICKING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTOSHOP FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE SUNROOF.

WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY CAR I NOTICED THAT MY PASSENGER WINDOW WAS LOOSE. WHEN I ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN IT WOULD SHAKE. WHEN I WAS GOING TO SHUT THE PASSENGER DOOR I HAD TO MAKE SURE THE WINDOW WAS UP SO THAT IT WOULDN'T BREAK. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAD IT FIXED. NOW RECENTLY I HEARD A SMALL NOISE IN THE DRIVER WINDOW WHEN I ROLL THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN. NOT POPPING, BUT MAYBE LIKE A SHIFTING OR LIKE IT WAS GOING TO POP. SURE ENOUGH MY WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. I WAS GETTING OUT AND ROLLED UP THE WINDOW WHEN I NOTICED THE WINDOW SOUNDED FUNNY. NOT LONG LATER WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR WAS WHEN I NOTICED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE WINDOW FIXED 2 TIMES. THE WINDOW KEPT FALLING OUT OF TRACK. FINALLY THEY FIGURED THAT THERE MUST BE MORE GOING ON WITH THE WINDOW. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REGULATOR WAS BENT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN OR THE WINDOW TO SHATTER, BUT I KNOW THAT AS LONG AS I HAVE HAD THE CAR THERE HAS NOT BEEN WEAR AND TEAR ON THE WINDOWS. I LIVE IN TEXAS AND USE THE AIR CONDITION 98% OF THE TIME. *JB

AROUND 20,000 MILES THE 2004 PONTIAC VIBE BEGAN TO HAVE EXCESSIVE TIRE NOISE AND THE TIRES WERE CUPPED. THE CAR BECAME SO LOUD IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CARRY ON A CONVERSATION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THESE COMPLAINTS WITHOUT RESOLVE OF THE ISSUE. THE DEALER STATES NOTHING IS "WRONG" WITH THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THE EXCESSIVE TIRE NOISE AND CUPPING OF THE TIRES. HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THE CAR JUST NEEDED NEW TIRES AND ALIGNED. THE CAR HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND DOES NOT NEED ALIGNED. THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED IS THE REAR AXLES ARE EXCESSIVELY TILTED AND THIS IS CAUSING THE WEAR ON THE TIRES AND THE EXCESSIVE NOISE. *NM

VERY BAD QUALITY OF PAINT. ESPECIALLY ON THE HOOD. THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINS FROM USERS ON THE INTERNET. GM DIDN'T RESPOND TO MY QUESTIONS AND EMAILS. *NM

2004 PONTIAC VIBE TIRE BLEW OUT. *TS AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE RAN INTO A DITCH. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAIN MINOR BUMPER AND EXHAUST DAMAGE. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS AND SAFETY DEFECTS. THE FIRST PROBLEM STARTED JUST SEVEN DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKES THEY SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE FALLING APART. THE NEXT PROBLEM CONCERNED THE ENGINE. AT TIMES THERE WAS NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VERY BADLY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE THIRD PROBLEM INVOLVED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE RADIO MADE A CRACKING SOUND, AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED/TURNED OFF AND ON. DUE TO THE LACK OF ILLUMINATION, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS VERY HARD TO SEE. WHEN THE POWER WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP ONE CAN HEAR A BUZZING SOUND .WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT THE KEYLESS ENTRY OPENED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS 30 FEET. AWAY. ALSO, THE SMELLS OF RAW GAS FUMES WERE COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THE FIREWALL SHIELD SCREWS WERE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND WAS CURRENTLY IN ARBITRATION. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. WHILE SHE WAS ROLLING UP THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW HEARD A POPPING SOUND. THE WINDOW FORMED A CRACK AND SHATTERED. ALSO, THE CONTACT COMPLAINT THAT THE STEERING WHEELWAS VERY LOOSE. SHE FELT THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE BECAUSE SHE HAD TO KEEP TWO HANDS ON THE WHEEL AT ALL TIMES TO KEEP IT FROM MOVING. UPON INSPECTION BY A SERVICE DEALER, THEY FOUND THAT THE BRACKET UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFTED. THE DEALER WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRACKETS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL.*AK

HAVE A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE GT AND JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH AT 67 000 KM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CAR WE'VE OWNED WITH A STANDARD TRANSMISSION, OUR PREVIOUS CAR WAS A 1996 PONTIAC SUNFIRE WHICH HAD 200 000 KM ON THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH WHEN WE SOLD IT. WE BOUGHT THE 100 000 KM POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, BUT WERE TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH IS NOT COVERED. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT MYSELF. WE BOUGHT A NEW CAR SO THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PERFORMING MAJOR REPAIRS ON IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *NM

DT: THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT TWISTED AROUND THE CHILD'S ABDOMEN AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. EVERY TIME THE CHILD MOVED IT CLICKED TIGHTER. THE CHILD HAD TO BE CUT OUT OF THE SEAT BELT. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT BEFORE.*AK *JB

WE TOOK OUR 2004 PONTIAC VIBE ALL WHEEL DRIVE IN TO DISCOUNT TIRE TO BUY FOUR NEW TIRES. DISCOUNT TIRE CALLED US LATER TO INFORM US THAT 4 LUGS SNAPPED OFF WHILE TORQUEING THE LUGS TO 80 FTLBS.. THEY CHECK CHECKED THEIR TORQUE STICK AND USED TWO OTHER STICK WHICH CONTINUED TO SNAP OFF THE LUGS. THEY SENT THE CAR OVER TO MIDAS TO HAVE REPAIRED AND DAYS LATER WHEN WE WENT TO PICK IT UP I HAD THEM CHECK ALL THE LUGS AGAIN, AND AGAIN AT 80 FTLBS. ONE MORE LUG SNAPPED. SO AGAIN WE WAITED FOR A NEW LUG TO ARRIVE. A TOTAL OF 5 LUGS SNAPPED OF THE BACK END OF THE CAR WELL BEFORE 80 FTLBS. OF TORQUE WAS APPLIED. I WORK AT A STEEL PLANT AND HAD OUR LAB CHECK A BROKEN LUG AND THEIR RESULTS WERE THAT THE LUGS WERE TO BRITTLE THAT THERE WAS NO LONGATION OF THE BOLT BEFORE IT BROKE. DISCOUNT TIRE DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN TAKING CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMER, I AM CONCERNED WITH HOW MANY MORE LUGS OUT ON THE ROADS ARE TO BRITTLE AND MAY SNAP. *NM

DT: THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE PADDING IN PLACE ON THE CHILD SEAT ARE FALLING APART. NOW THE PADDING UNDERNEATH THE PLASTIC BAR THAT KEEPS IT IN PLACE AT THE BOTTOM AND TOP ARE BROKE. THE CONSUMER HAS TRIED GLUE AND SEWING IT AND IT, BUT KEEPS COMING APART. GRACO MODEL # 45600 LJT AND EITHER AND I OR A 1, D.O.M. 2003 02 08M. *JB *NM

A DRONE NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, ESPECIALLY DURING DAMP OR COLD WEATHER, FALL AND WINTER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WAS A ?CHARACTERISTIC OF THE PONTIAC EVEN THOUGH THIS CHARACTERISTIC WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CAR IN THE SUMMER, AND IT WAS NOT TOLD TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. GMC CONFIRMED MY OWN BELIEF THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY.*AK

DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED. DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

2004 PONTIAC VIBE UNEVEN TIRE WEAR ON THE BACK TIRES "CUPPING". DEALER WAS NOT WILLING, OR UNABLE TO TELL ME THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. HAVE FOLLOWED MY OWNERS MANUAL, TIRE ROTATIONS. HAVE VISITED ANOTHER DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE SEEN MY PROBLEM, BUT DO NOT KNOW CAUSE. I NEED TO REPLACE THE TIRE, WITH 25000 MILES ON THEM. *JB

EXTREME TIRE WEAR ON 2004 PONTIAC VIBE GT WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES. TIRES TO WEAR MARKERS AT 19,000 MILES. WEAR CONSISTENT ON ALL (4) TIRES. MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS OF ROTATION, INFLATION FOLLOWED, AND PERFORMED BY GM DEALER. DEFECT REPORTED AT 19,500 MILES TO LOCAL DEALER. PONTIAC HAS REFUSED TO ACT ON ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO SUBSTITUTE TIRES TO WINTER-ONLY DUE TO WEATHER. CONCERN IS THAT THERE ARE OTHERS OUT THERE WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE TIRES, AND THAT WORN TIRES COULD CAUSE PROPERTY/LIFE INJURY IN CRASH. *NM

DEFECTIVE TIRES. *JB

WHY IS THERE NO RECALL INFORMATION ON YOUR SITE REGARDING THE PONTIAC VIBE AND TOYOTA MATRIX. *JB