What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2009 Pontiac Vibe

Typical pattern

3% of complaints about the 2009 Pontiac Vibe came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2009 vehicle — around the middle of the 212 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (352 complaints), typically at 8.4 yr or about 93,000 miles.

Complaints
594
Median age at failure
8.3 yr
Median mileage
58,000 n=237
Crash / fire / tow
5.9% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
352 reports · 93,000 mi
8.4 yr
1.7%
Speed control
57 reports · 20,250 mi
1.6 yr
26.3%
Steering
34 reports · 51,000 mi
6.3 yr
0%
Engine
29 reports · 90,000 mi
7.9 yr
10.3%
Electrical system
18 reports · 74,000 mi
5.8 yr
16.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

18V024000 2018-01-09
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP (Saipan), and the U.S. VI or "Zone A." Toyota is also recalling certain 2010 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, ES350, IS-F, GX460, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, N

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

17V006000 2017-01-09
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Toyota is recalling certain 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

16V340000 2016-05-23
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus IS250C, Lexus IS350C and Lexus GX460, 2011 Sienna, 2007-2011 Lexus ES350, and 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Z

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

15V689000 2015-10-22
Visibility:power window devices and controls

Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.

If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

14V168000 2014-04-09
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

12V491000 2012-10-10
Visibility:power window devices and controls

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.

If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.

10V024000 2010-01-27
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PONTIAC VIBE PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

10V018000 2010-01-21
Vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 AND 2010 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES. DUE TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE FRICTION LEVER INTERACTS WITH THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL INSIDE THE PEDAL SENSOR ASSEMBLY, THE SLIDING SURFACE OF THE LEVER MAY BECOME SMOOTH DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN THIS CONDITION, IF CONDENSATION OCCURS ON THE SURFACE, AS MAY OCCUR FROM HEATER OPERATION (WITHOUT A/C) WHEN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS COLD, THE FRICTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS OPERATED MAY INCREASE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMING HARDER TO DEPRESS, SLOWER TO RETURN, OR,

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

09V392000 2009-08-31
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L ENGINE AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WHEN DRIVING UNDER CERTAIN UNIQUE CONDITIONS IN EXTREMELY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUCTION PORT FOR THE BRAKE VACUUM CAN BECOME LOCKED DUE TO THE FREEZING OF CONDENSATION RESULTING FROM POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION.

THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

In owners’ own words

Steering 10 mi 11 mo in service
2009 PONTIAC VIBE, WHICH IS MECHANICALLY IDENTICAL TO TOYOTA MATRIX, WHICH IN TURN IS BASED ON TOYOTA COROLLA. ALL THREE VEHICLES HAVE REALLY LIGHT STEERING (TOO MUCH BOOST FROM ELECTRIC POWER STEERING) THAT IT BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS WHEN THE SPEED IS OVER 50MPH. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO REPORTED THIS PROBLEM ON TOYOTA COROLLA BUT I THINK NHTSA SHOULD BE AWARE THAT TOYOTA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE SHARE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Steering 20 mi 1.4 yr in service
WANDERING STEERING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF MY 2009 PONTIAC VIBE VERSUS STABLE STEERING OF MY 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. *TR
Steering 3,000 mi 1.4 yr in service
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH, MY 2009 PONTIAC VIBE FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING THROUGH A WIND STORM. THIS REQUIRES ME TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE DIRECTION THAT I INTEND. THIS CAN BE ANNOYING AND POSSIBLY DANGEROUS. I AM MOST CONCERNED THAT IF THE WHEEL PRESSURE IS NOT MAINTAINED AT THE RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE, ONE COULD EASILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. (I CHECK AND MAINTAIN THE AIR PRESSURE IN MY TIRES, MONTHLY.) *TR
Electrical system 32,000 mi 6 mo in service
THE CONTACT HAS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS PROBLEMS AS THE TOYOTA CORROLLA. THE PONTIAC STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND THE THE OWNER HAD TO WAIT 45 MINUTES BEFORE IT COULD RESTART. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO COMPLAIN THAT THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THERE WAS 32000 MILES WHEN IT HAPPENED AND 35000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD SAT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND THEN STOPPED AFTER DRIVING FOR 15 MINUTES AT 35 MILES HOUR.

Other Vibe model years

20102009200820072006200520042003

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