10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,727 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #39

May 312023

Vibe

  • miles
I was driving no warnings lights to shutting down on the road to black smoke came out of the back luckily a guy was going by and helped me move my car

- Parlier, CA, USA

problem #38

Apr 242020

Vibe

  • miles
Accelerates on its own from idle or low speeds. Was recalled on 2/8/2010 #2010018..and repaired on 6/21/ 2010. Approx. 2 years ago it started to "take off again". Grand Buick... Grandville MI advised there was no current recall. I'm waiting for GM to advise of a no charge to owner recall.

- Byron Center, MI, USA

problem #37

Aug 112022

Vibe

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a?2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the vehicle speed control (VSC), ABS, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure; however, the independent mechanic replaced the heat shield. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

- Sylvania, OH, USA

problem #36

Sep 152019

Vibe

  • 167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 mph. Additionally, the accelerator pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to move. The check engine and vsc off warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to General Motors (300 acme dr, monroe, nc, 704-283-8175). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign number: 10V018000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 167,000.

- Marshville, NC, USA

problem #35

May 292019

Vibe

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving between 45-50 mph, the contact lost contact of the vehicle because the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact quickly shifted into third gear, but it did not slow the vehicle down. The contact then shifted into neutral and the motor revved up to 7,000 rpms. The contact shifted back into drive, but the vehicle was still accelerating. The contact powered off the engine and coasted the vehicle into a driveway. The vehicle was restarted and the engine revved back up to 7,000 rpms. The contact powered off the vehicle a second time. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Marion, NC, USA

problem #34

Jan 202010

Vibe

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V491000 (visibility), 10V024000 (vehicle speed control), 14V168000 (air bags), and 17V006000 (air bags). The parts were not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair. The dealer (pat obrien in willoby, oh) did not give a specific date for when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was contacted and could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repair. The contact was not experiencing a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Streetsboro, OH, USA

problem #33

Mar 092017

Vibe

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V006000 (air bags) and 10V024000 (vehicle speed control). The parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the 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. Parts distribution disconnect. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Bartonsville, PA, USA

problem #32

Dec 062016

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 197,000 miles
Pedal accelerator - when driving, the car accelerates on this own even when the accelerator pedal is not depressed. The result is increased speeds, and when reaching a stop, the car has to quickly be placed in neutral or park to stop the car, else, it will continue to move. There was a previous recall for this situation with GMC and there was an attempt to fix this issue with my vehicle. However, it has become an issue again. This has happened several times, and it poses a safety hazard.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #31

Jul 062016

Vibe

  • 51,000 miles
Sometimes when accelerating, it's slow to move, then a sudden jerk happens if I put pressure on the gas pedal. This happens when driving at lower speeds, I can be entering my garage or accelerating after a stop light or sign. Can be scary when it jerks during acceleration. The steering column is beginning to rattle and shake at about 45 miles sometime at lower speeds as well, a very rough ride on smooth pavement, feels like it's falling apart. The third issue has to do with the airbag indicator light staying on in both drivers and passenger sides while driving. When I went to dealer for an appointment it didn't happen but getting a diagnostic tomorrow for that. Bought the car used last year with about 37,000 miles, always serviced at the dealer where I purchased it. I now have a little over 53,000 miles on it at this time, just local diving.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #30

May 222015

Vibe

  • 86,392 miles
Leaving a stop light in alpena Michigan, the gas pedal began to go down and sped up the car by itself. I immediately turned off the key and let it slow down. Then turned the key on and it sped up by itself again!. this time I put it in neutral and the engine sped up rapidly to 4 to 5 thousand RPM. Once again I turned off the key and then on again and it seemed normal after that. The cruise control was off. The only thing that would cause this type of defect is a faulty cruise control!! no, the floor mat was not involved!! I purchased this auto from schafer Chevy of pinnconing Michigan on 1/22/15. I feel these cars should be recalled immediately, as to how dangerous they really are. If my wife had been driving this car, I am sure she would have panicked and I hate to think of the result!!. I am stuck with this car, and will be the only driver since I know what to do if it happens again. I refuse to sell to someone else. With ABS braking, they will not stop regardless how hard you push, therefore I have disconnected the ABS system. I am from the old school and know how to "pump" my own brakes. I sure hope you people would do something, instead of passing the buck and blaming something else! but as usual, I don't expect anything speedy from our so called government.

- Comins, MI, USA

problem #29

Feb 272015

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
I was driving home from work this evening, which is about 25 minutes away from home, when my vsc, engine, and battery light came on. I was at a red light and was going to pull into to a grocery store lot. My car would not go into gear. I tried several times with no result. I was stuck in the turning lane of the intersection. I shut off the car and restarted it. I was able to turn into the parking lot and went around to turn back to my work parking lot, as soon as I stopped for a couple seconds, the car would not go into gear once again. I had to leave it in the lot overnight. When my friend came to tow it, he was able to put the car into gear with no issue. He took it to a local auto parts store and they ran the diagnostic codes. The codes stated that it was the transmission solenoid. I had that changed out and then on the day I got it back, the battery light came on, it would come on and then go off. On the way home after running errands, the light came back on, when I parked the car at home, the light was on. I turned the car off and tried to restart it and nothing. I let it set for a few minutes and tried to restart it. It started back up, I checked the alternator belt to make certain it did not come off, and shut off the car again. I tried to restart it and nothing.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #28

Apr 172012

Vibe 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle accelerated excessively. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician repaired the vehicle under NHTSA campaign numbers: 10V024000 (vehicle speed control) and 10V018000 (vehicle speed control); however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to multiple independent mechanics, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 5/29/15 updated 10/06/2017

- Lapeer, MI, USA

problem #27

Sep 262014

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
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.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #26

Jan 012013

Vibe

  • 20,000 miles
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.

- New Berlin, WI, USA

problem #25

Jan 022013

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 18,000 miles
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).

- New Berlin, WI, USA

problem #24

May 062013

Vibe 4WD 4-cyl

  • miles
2009 Pontiac Vibe. Consumer writes in regards to potential floor mat interference with accelerator pedal and power window master switch recall notices. The consumer stated she attempted to get the recall resolved on two separate occasions, only to be informed, the parts were not available.

- Wellington, FL, USA

problem #23

Feb 272012

Vibe

  • 29,000 miles
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.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #22

Apr 142012

Vibe 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,500 miles
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 the dealer was unable to find anything wrong. Updated 05/23/12

- Burke , VA, USA

problem #21

Jan 252012

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 21,105 miles
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.

- Tarboro, NC, USA

problem #20

Mar 092010

Vibe

  • 15,000 miles
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.

- Herminie, PA, USA

Read the next 19 complaints »