Page 9 of 11 · complaints 401–450 of 528

2009 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 2009 record →

Air Bags
Filed Feb 3, 2015MA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIRBAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCE A FAILURE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Feb 3, 201532,172 milesPA

MY DAUGHTER WAS REAR ENDED WHILE SHE WAS SITTING AT A STOP BY A LARGE VEHICLE GOING 40+ MPH AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY PUSHED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON CONTACT TO OR BY ANY OTHER VEHICLE. DUE TO THERE NOT BEING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT SHE SUFFERED NECK TRAUMA AND TENDON DAMAGE TO HER SHOULDER. *TR

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jan 5, 201538,746 milesMO

THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IMPLODED SHOWERING ME WITH GLASS WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 435 IN THE KANSAS CITY AREA. THIS WAS UNEXPECTED, NEARLY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON THE RAIN WET ROADWAY WHILE A PANEL TRUCK WAS PASSING ME ON MY LEFT SIDE. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE ESTABLISHING A PATTERN OF FAILURE FOR THIS WINDOW AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOWS. A RETAINER NOTCH AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS SEEMS TO BE A WEAK POINT WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE TEMPERED GLASS WHICH CAN RESULT IN INJURY FROM GLASS IN EYES, DOWN CLOTHING AS WELL AS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Dec 2, 2014AZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED THE RECALL REPAIR ON NOVEMBER 5, 2014. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ORDERED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN UNREASONABLE TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO WAIT ANOTHER TWO WEEKS AND WAS NOT PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER FOR WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Nov 21, 2014AZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 20, 201445,089 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, THE VEHICLES BRAKES FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR HUB, BEARING, AND SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,089.

Steering
Filed Nov 6, 201465,000 milesMI

MY 2009 PONTIAC VIBE BASE 1.4L HAS SERIOUS MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT STEERING ISSUES THAT MAKE IT FEEL VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AT LOW SPEEDS THERE IS A RATTLE THAT COMES FROM THE STEERING MOTOR AND INTERMEDIATE SHAFT (2 SEPARATE ISSUES WHICH ARE EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) WHICH MAKES THE CAR FEEL LIKE IT'S BROKEN AND FALLING APART. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING IS UNPREDICTABLE, IT OVERCORRECTS AND FISHTAILS BACK AND FORTH. THIS CAR FEELS LIKE A DEATH TRAP, I COMPLETELY REGRET MY PURCHASE AND FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS UNSAFE FOR THE LONG TERM. THESE ISSUES ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TOYOTA MATRIX AS THEY WERE MADE IN THE SAME PLANT WITH THE SAME PARTS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 4, 2014FL

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I WAS ENTERING THE MAIN ROAD FROM OUR SUBDIVISION. I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN. I WAS NOT IN A HURRY. WHEN IT WAS CLEAR FROM BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT, I BEGAN TO ENTER THE MAIN ROAD. THEN MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THERE WAS A CAR COMING FROM THE RIGHT. WHERE DID THAT CAR COME FROM? IT WASN'T THERE WHEN I LOOKED. BUT PRESTO, THERE IT WAS. I CONCLUDED; IT WAS CONCEALED FROM MY VISION BY THE RIGHT AIR BAG POST. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS I CAME CLOSE TO AN ACCIDENT. THAT POST IS ABOUT 8 INCHES WIDE AND ABOUT 3 FEET FROM MY EYES. IT'S SIMPLE MATH, WHEN AN 8 INCH POST IS PROJECTED OUT TO THE 50 YARD DISTANCE WHERE THE CARS WERE HIDDEN FROM MY VIEW, THAT 8 INCH POST CONCEALS 50 FEET. THAT MEANS THAT THERE ARE 50 FEET HIDDEN FROM MY RIGHT VIEW EVERY TIME I ENTER A MAIN ROAD. THE AIR BAG MAY SOLVE THE AIR BAG SAFETY PROBLEM; BUT IT MAKES THE RIGHT POST 8 INCHES WIDE; CREATING AN EQUALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 29, 2014FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO INFORM WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 15, 2014NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Steering
Filed Sep 26, 201496,400 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,400.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 3, 201465,000 milesIN

THE SAFETY AIR BAG IS A CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEM. MY DRIVERS DASH WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ILLUMINATED. I TOOK IT TO THE GM DEALER WHO SAID AFTER A 100 DOLLAR DIAGNOSIS THERE WAS A RESISTOR FAILURE IN THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WHICH WOULD COST 1200 DOLLARS. THE AIR BAG IS A PASSIVE NON MOVING DEVICE. IT SHOULD NOT FAIL IN A PASSIVE MODE. HOW DO THEY KNOW IT IS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALLED DEFECTIVE CABLE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT TAKING THE AIR BAG OUT AND EXAMINING THE CABLE ? *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jul 30, 201445,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR DEPLOYMENT LOOP RESISTANCE WAS TOO HIGH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 23, 201483,000 milesMO

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASHBOARD. I WENT TO THE DEALER, BOMMARITO IN ST. LOUIS, MO, WHO TOLD ME THIS AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON WITH EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THE AIRBAG RECALL, BUT MY VIBE WAS NOT RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE.. IT IS A 2009 AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT DID COME ON. I CALLED SAFECAR.COM WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS HANDED TO A CASE WORKER WHO WOULD CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY. I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. I WANT TO KNOW WHO I SHOULD SUE IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG DOESN'T WORK. I NEED TO INFORM MY FAMILY IN CASE I DON'T MAKE IT. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 17, 201470,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 7, 201412 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SLID ON BLACK ICE AND CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC SIGN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12. UPDATED 02/24/2015 *JS

Air Bags
Filed Jun 23, 201493,000 milesIL

2 WEEKS AGO MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS BEEN STAYING ON. I LOOKED UP ON RECALL AND SAW THAT TOYOTA HAS A AIRBAG RECALL AFFECTING THE CABLE SWITCH TO THE AIRBAG. 2009-2010 VIBE SPIRAL ELECTRICAL CABLE CAN BE DAMAGED WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. ONCE BROKEN, THE AIRBAG DEACTIVATES AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. IT ALSO SAYS THAT TOYOTA HAS A IMPROVED PART. IT DOES MAKE ME NERVOUS DRIVING WITH THIS ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO [XXX] BUICK THEY SAID THEY DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE RECALL AND WILL FIX IT FOR 500 TO 1,000 DOLLARS. I TALKED TO A [XXX] AT THE GM HOT LINE. HE SAID THERE IS NO RECALLS FOR MY CAR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 3, 201450,000 milesMI

INTERMITTENT, BUT INCREASINGLY FREQUENT ENGINE STALLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SLOWER SPEEDS. STALLS MAY HAPPEN AT CRUISING SPEED OR WHEN DECELERATING OR ACCELERATING. OCCASIONALLY, ENGINE RACES OR CHOKES. USUALLY REQUIRES TURNING THE KEY TO OFF AND THEN RESTARTING THE ENGINE IN NEUTRAL OR PARK. SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS EXPERIENCED BY OWNERS OF 2005-08 TOYOTA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBES WHO HAD THE ECM RECALLED. THIS ECM REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON 6-3-14. RECALL OF 09 AND NEWER MODELS MAY BE WARRANTED TO PREVENT DANGEROUS CRASHES AND REAR-END ACCIDENTS. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 30, 2014100,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V168000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 16, 201420,000 milesWI

VARIOUS LIGHTS COME ON IN THE DASHBOARD, I FORGET NOW EXACTLY WHICH LIGHTS, BUT I THINK IT WAS THE ABS LIGHT, THE VSC LIGHT, AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT. THIS HAPPENS ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES IN A MONTH OR SO. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE ABC, VSC, AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT WORK (I TESTED IT IN A SNOWY PARKING LOT). I WENT TO SALENTINE PONTIAC A COUPLE YEARS AGO, AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE IT IS SO INTERMITTENT, THEY ARE NOT REALLY LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, NOR KNOW IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. I CONTACTED PONTIAC VIA E-MAIL AND PHONE, AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF SUCH A THING. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW I SEE THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING EXACTLY THIS ISSUE, BUT IT IS APPARENTLY ONLY FOR THE PONTIAC G6. IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT THE VIBE PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED. I WOULD HATE TO SEE G.M. GO BROKE, BUT THE THINGS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING ARE UNCONSCIONABLE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 6, 201484,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,500.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 2, 2014CA

STARTER GRINDS & WHINES BEFORE STARTING. ALL DASH WARNING LIGHT COME ON & STAY ON. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 16, 2014127,000 milesGA

MY CAR STARTED TO STALL AND PULL TO THE LEFT ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR AS I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN. I THOUGHT IT TO BE JUST AN ABERATION. I WENT TO A PARKING LOT AWAY FROM THE SCHOOL TO TEST DRIVE MY STEERING AND TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NOTHING HAPPENED, SO I WENT TO WORK AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. MY JOB IS ABOUT 12 MILES FROM DAUGHTER SCHOOL TAKING THE BACK ROAD AND NOT GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER WORK I TOOK THE INTERSTATE BACK HOME THROUGH SOME HEAVY TRAFFIC AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM FROM DOWNTOWN TO MY HOME APROXIMATELY 1O MILES TAKING THE INTERSTATE. AS I WAS COMING FROM OFF RAMP I NOTICE A LITTTLE STUTTER AND CAR POWERING DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES AND THE CAR ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STALL AND STARTED PULLING TO LEFT. I PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE ALL THE WAY DOWN. ALL THE PANEL LIGHTS CAME ON ABS, ENGINE, ETC. I MEAN EVERY SINGLE LIGHT. I PULLED CAR IN TO AMOCA. HE SAID IT WAS THROTTLE BODY. I GOT 2ND OPINION. HE SAID THAT DID NOT SOUND RIGHT. HE SAID TAKE CAR TO DEALER. I AM TAKING CAR TO GM DEALER TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS. I DO NOT WANT TO RISK GETTING MY CHILD KILLED IN THIS CAR. *TT

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 13, 2014127,000 milesGA

REPORTED VEHICLE RECALL TO GM BUICK, CADILAC DEALERSHIP IN MORROWM,GA OF RECALLS ON VEHICLE. THEY STATED MY CAR IS NOT ON RECALL LIST. I ASKED THEM TO FIX PROBLEM AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL SAID HE CAN NOT HELP ME. I FEEL I JEAPORDIZE MY LIFE DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WHICH IS THE SAME AS TOYOTA MATRIX VEHICLE WITH ALL THE SAME TYPE OF PARTS FROM TOYOTA AND MANUFACTURED BY GM. I FEEL I WILL BE ENDANGERING MY CHILDREN LIVES IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WITH OUT THE NECESSARY FIXES THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO VEHICLE. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Mar 12, 201474,884 milesOK

RECEIVED RECALL ON ABOVE VEHICLE. CALLED DEALER (SMICKLAS) CHEVROLET, TOLD TO BRING VEHICLE IN. TOOK VEHICLE IN ON 3-12-2009 AND [XXX] (SERVICE MGR) TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS TO DO THE JOB AND AND THAT THEY HAD BEEN SENDING VIBES TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL REPAIR AND THAT OTHERWISE HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME. TOLD HIM I WOULD CALL GM TO SEE WHAT THEY SAID. LEFT DEALERSHIP AND FILED THIS COMPLAINT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 22, 2014109,000 milesCA

THE ENGINE STOPPED AT FREEWAY SPEED. THIS WAS THE SIXTH TIME THAT THIS HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT A YEAR. ONCE OFF THE FREEWAY AND STOPPED, THE CAR DOES RESTART. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A DEALER, BUT THEY DID NOT DO AN OFFICIAL INSPECTION SINCE THERE WERE NO CODES AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING FINE. THIS WAS JUST AFTER THE CAR HAD DIES ON THE FREEWAY IN DECEMBER. THAT WAS ABOUT THE FOURTH OCCURRENCE. THEY SUGGESTED CLEANING THE BATTERY TERMINALS WHICH WERE A LITTLE CORRODED. I DID THIS AND INSTALLED A NEW BATTERY. THE STALLING HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE. I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEIR SUGGESTION IS THAT I PAY TO HAVE DIAGNOSTICS DONE AT A DEALERSHIP. THIS IS A STATEMENT FROM THEIR CHAT: HOWEVER, WE CAN SEE WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE, HOWEVER, GIVEN HAVING OVER 100,000 MILES DOES LIMIT WHAT WE CAN DO. OK, SO YOU'RE NOT ALLOWING US AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER. 12:32:34LEAUNDRE:I CAN DOCUMENT THIS CONCERN IN OUR SYSTEM. THE SPECIALIST WILL DO NOTHING FURTHER UNLESS I PAY TO HAVE THE DIAGNOSIS DONE ON THE CAR. *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 21, 201489,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE ROAD SHOULDER, RESTART THE ENGINE AND RESUME NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,200.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 21, 201448,000 milesCO

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED AS BAD CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 11, 2013100,500 milesPA

I'VE HAD MULTIPLE FAULTY ENGINE CONTROL MODULES IN MY 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. IT MAY BE A COINCIDENCE, BUT FELT IT WORTH REPORTING SINCE IT MAY BE RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN 10V387000 WHICH COVERED THE 2005-2008 MODELS. *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed May 15, 201318,000 milesWI

PERIODICALLY (ONCE OR TWICE PER MONTH) THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES, TRACTION CONTROL, AND VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WILL STOP WORKING FOR A FEW MINUTES. WHEN IT HAPPENS, THE WARNING LIGHTS ALL GO ON. I TESTED THE FUNCTION IN A SLIPPERY PARKING LOT, SO KNOW THE VARIOUS FEATURES STOP WORKING WHEN THESE LIGHTS GO ON. I LOOKED IN THE INTERNET AND FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS EVERYTHING FROM A BAD GAS CAP TO A CONNECTOR ON THE BRAKE SENSOR TO A CRACKED COMPUTER CIRCUIT BOARD. I ASKED MY DEALER AT THE TIME ABOUT IT, AND THEY SAID REALISTICALLY IF IT ONLY HAPPENS FOR A COUPLE MINUTES AND THEN MIGHT NOT HAPPEN FOR A MONTH, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S CAUSING IT NOR EVEN IF THEY WOULD HAVE FIXED IT. I CALLED PONTIAC AND THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM AND TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND LET THEM LOOK AT IT. I DON'T WANT TO RUN UP HUNDREDS OR EVEN A THOUSAND DOLLARS LOOKING FOR A PROBLEM THAT ONLY OCCURS A FEW TIMES PER YEAR. BUT IF SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, I THINK IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. IT OBVIOUSLY IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN BRAKES AND VSC DON'T WORK PROPERLY, EVEN FOR A MINUTE OR SO PER MONTH. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR (SALENTINE) WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER I NOW VISIT ([XXX])AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed May 6, 2013FL

2009 PONTIAC VIBE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POTENTIAL FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH RECALL NOTICES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ATTEMPTED TO GET THE RECALL RESOLVED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONLY TO BE INFORMED, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Mar 17, 201324,000 milesPA

I CANNOT ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS SINCE THEY ARE ON RECALL SINCE NOVEMBER 2012. I HAVE TO SHOW A BADGE WHEN I ENTER MY COMMUNITY AND MUST TAKE OFF MY SEAT BELT AND GET OUT OF THE CAR TO DO SO. I ONLY RECEIVED ONE LETTER AND WAS TOLD I WOULD RECEIVE A SECOND. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER FOUR MONTHS. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 20, 201329,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE RPM INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO CURB AND INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS REPLACED EACH TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THEY WILL HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE CALL THE CONTACT WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,500.

Suspension
Filed Dec 19, 201225,000 milesOH

WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 35), THERE IS A NOTICEABLE SHAKING / VIBRATION / RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM EITHER THE STEERING COLUMN OR FRONT SHOCKS, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING OVER ROUGH SURFACES OR BUMPS. SEEMS TO BE MORE DRIVERS SIDE. LOOKS LIKE OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AS WELL AS TOYOTA MATRIX (BUILT ON SAME LINE WITH SAME COMPONENTS) I HAVE NOT YET HAD THE DEALER INSPECT THE ISSUE. SEEMS AS IF SOME COMPONENT HAS COME LOOSE. *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 28, 201222,542 milesIA

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND LOCAL SPEEDS THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO CORRECT THIS THE CAR OVER CORRECTS AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. FREQUENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP (ESPECIALLY ON AN UNEVEN ROAD) THE CAR PULLS SEVERELY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT (ALMOST 90 DEGREES). *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 18, 201233,500 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHEN SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 33,500. UPDATED 5/16/12 *CN THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. UPDATED 05/23/12

Air Bags
Filed Mar 26, 201289,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 17, 201248,450 milesNY

AIR BAG LIGHT CAM ON CODE 1801 THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK OR MAY DEPLOY UNEXPECTEDLY. INSTALLED SOP CLOCK SPRING FOR AIR BAG. *TR

Steering
Filed Mar 2, 201225,000 milesMD

AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH, A RATTLING IS HEARD AND FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE UPPER AND LOWER STEERING COLUMN BUT THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM, PER GM. THE CAR STILL MAKES THE NOISE AND VIBRATION... AND IS GETTING WORSE. A SEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM REVEALED MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I COULD SELL OR TRADE THIS VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 25, 201221,105 milesNC

I OWN A 2009 VIBE . RECALL HAS BEEN COMPLETED RE: SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THEY REMOVED DRIVERS FLOOR MAT OVER A YEAR AGO. I HAD FIRST EPISODE TODAY. FORTUNATELY IT WAS AT ABOUT 10MPH. WHEN I ENGAGED THE BRAKE THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE BRAKE PULSATED LIKE THE ANTI-LOCK FEATURE HAD BEEN ACTIVATED. THE ENGINE REVVED FOR 3 TO 4 SECONDS THE CAR ACCELERATED. WHEN THE ENGINE REVVING STOPPED THE BRAKE ENGAGED PROPERLY AND THE CAR STOPPED. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON A STREET WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 25 MPH AND I HAD COASTED DOWN TO ABOUT 10-15 MPH APPROACHING THE STOP SIGN. HAD THIS BEEN A HIGH SPEED OR EMERGENCY STOP THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT THIS AS THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I WILL ALSO BE CONTACTING THE NHTSA. THE ABOVE IS A COPY OF INFORMATION I SENT TO GENERAL MOTORS VIA THEIR PONTIAC WEB SITE. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 24, 201260,000 milesGA

MY 2009 PONTIAC VIBE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2005-2008 TOYOTA MATRIX IS REGARDING THE STALLING ISSUES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 24, 201248,500 milesAR

WHEN COMING TO A STOP, OCCASIONALLY THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD. I HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY, MANY OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN JULY 11. WHEN COMING TO A FAST STOP (SUCH AS WHEN SOMEONE PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF YOU OR SOMEONE SUDDENLY STOPS IN FRONT OF YOU -- ABS IS NOT BEING USED AS THESE ARE NOT PANIC STOPS) THE BRAKES WILL WORK AS THEY SHOULD UNTIL THE CAR IS ALMOST STOPPED AND THEN THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD AND I SUDDENLY NEED TO APPLY MORE FORCE TO THE BRAKES TO MAKE THE CAR STOP. I SUSPECT THAT THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR IS USING ENGINE BRAKING TO ASSIST IN SLOWING DOWN THE CAR AND WHEN THE CAR HITS A CERTAIN SPEED (OR SOME OTHER VARIABLE) THE ENGINE BRAKING IS TURNED OFF WHICH CAUSES THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE THAT I NEED TO APPLY TO THE BRAKES TO SUDDENLY INCREASE WHICH GIVES THE IMPRESSION THAT THE CAR IS LUNGING FORWARD. REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE TO OCCUR, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE GROWN USED TO THIS ISSUE AND NOW CAN COMPENSATE FOR IT, BUT IT IS STILL DISTRESSING WHEN IT OCCURS. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER VIBE/MATRIX OWNERS AND THEY ALL STATE THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS IT COULD EASILY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Wheels
Filed Dec 12, 201130,000 milesMI

OUR AWD 2009 PONTIAC VIBE CAME WITH FACTORY CHROME WHEELS. AFTER ONE WINTER, THE WHEELS BEGAN TO CORRODE AROUND THE OUTSIDE PERIMETER. GM AGREED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR WHEELS, AND THEY DID. SOON AFTER REPLACEMENT, AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING INTO OUR GARAGE, ONE WHEEL DELAMINATED (I.E., THE CHROME COVERING SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE ALUMINUM UNDERWHEEL). UPON INSPECTION, IT LOOKED AS IF THE CHROME LAYER HAD BEEN GLUED TO THE UNDERWHEEL. WE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER, CHROME COVERING AND GLUE FRAGMENTS IN HAND. THE DEALER REPLACED THIS DEFECTIVE WHEEL WITH ANOTHER; SOON AFTER (50 MILES?), THE SECOND REPLACEMENT WHEEL DID THE SAME THING. IT HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED. (THE CHROME PARTS ARE STAMPED "TOYOTA.") NOTE THREE THINGS: ONE, THE WHEELS ON THIS CAR ARE NOT INEXPENSIVE STEEL WITH WHEEL COVERS. INSTEAD, THEY ARE ONE-PIECE CHROME WHEELS, RATHER EXPENSIVE IF I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THEM MYSELF. SECOND, WE HAD NOT ABUSED THE CAR. WE DROVE, IN EACH CASE, ABOUT 50 MILES ON GOOD PAVEMENT IN GOOD WEATHER BEFORE FAILURE. FINALLY, THE CHROME COMPONENT DELAMINATED IN A "SAFE" AREA--IN BOTH CASES, AS WE SLOWLY DROVE INTO OUR GARAGE. WHAT IF THIS DELAMINATION HAD HAPPENED WHILE WE DROVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AND THE CHROME COMPONENT HAD SPUN OFF INTO A CROWD, OR ANOTHER CAR? THERE IS ONE OTHER PROBLEM YOU SHOULD KNOW. WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE STARTING THIS CAR. IN BRIEF, THE PROBLEM WAS APPARENTLY DIFFICULT FOR THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE, BUT IT WAS A "CRACKED STEERING LOCK," ALSO A PART STAMPED "TOYOTA." THI

Steering
Filed Dec 1, 2011TX

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED. NO WARNING SIGNS OF ANY NATURE. CAN NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND DEALERSHIP CAN NOT LOOK AT IT UNTIL 4 DAYS. *TR

Wheels › Hub
Filed Nov 30, 201164,000 milesMD

BOTH REAR HUB AND WHEEL BEARINGS COMPONENTS HAVE RUSTED AND WORN OUT CLOSE TO FAILURE; REAR WHEEL NOISE WAS EXCESSIVE. ACTUAL FAILURE WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN REAR WHEELS LOCKING UP. *KB

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Sep 2, 2011PA

TIRE PRESSURE PROBLEMS ON ALL EAGLE TIRES THAT CAME WITH CAR. HAD SIDE WALLS CLEANED AND TIRE LEAKAGE CONTINUES. TIRES HAVE TO BE REFILLED EVERY 2 WEEKS. WILL NEED TO REPLACE ALL TIRES. PROBLEMS BEGAN WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON TIRES. NTB NOTIFIED OWNER THAT EAGLE DISCONTINUING THIS TIRE. DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 15, 201135,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. THE RPMS CONTINUED TO INCREASE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED AT LEAST THREE TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 09/30/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW GAS PEDAL WAS INSTALLED. UPDATED 10/24/11

Electrical System › Ignition
Filed Aug 3, 201148,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE GT. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED IN THE IGNITION THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JERKED BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,070. UPDATED 10/4/11 *CN UPDATED 10/26/11

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Jul 26, 201115,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN THE ACCELERATION OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED IN REGARDS TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGES AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR BODY REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR TWO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 10V018000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND 10V024000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: ACCELERATOR PEDAL). AFTER THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MALFUNCTION RECURRED ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHERE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 19, 2011VA

2009 PONTIAC VIBE. CONSUMER WRITES IN RESPONSE TO AN UNSATISFACTORY RESPONSE OF GM SAFETY RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER MAKING APPOINTMENTS AND GOING TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS HE WAS INFORMED THE TOOLS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE RECALL. *JB

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.

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