2003 Pontiac Vibe

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2009· POWER TRAIN

  PONTIAC VIBE WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED CAUSING THE FRONT WHEELS TO LOCK AND THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL TEMPORARILY. LUCKILY NO INJURIES DUE TO LACK OF SPEED AND TRAFFIC SITUATION. I MADE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO GENERAL MOTORS, AND THEY MADE NO OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LOCAL GM DEALER WANTED $3500 TO DO THE REPAIR. I DID NOT HAVE THAT MONEY, SO I OPTED TO BY A USED TRANSMISSION AND HAVE A LOCAL SHOP INSTALL IT FOR A TOTAL OF $1300. I DO NOT HAVE THE BROKEN TRANSMISSION ANYMORE. I NOW HAVE ABOUT 140,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SEIZED AGAIN. I HAVE NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED AS A RESULT OF ON OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS SEIZING AND CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE CONTROL INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HEARD OF MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUES. PLEASE ACT BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR

• 12/29/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY DISABLING THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS RUBBER BURNING FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,217.

• 12/27/2007· VISIBILITY

  1. DRIVER WINDOW MAKES CRACKING/BREAKING NOISE WHEN WINDOW IS BEING ROLLED DOWN. WHEN CLOSING THE DRIVER DOOR, WINDOW SHAKES INSIDE DOOR PANEL. 12/5/07 2. AWFUL SMELL WHEN CAR IS STOPPED COMPLETELY. (SMELLS LIKE A STINK BOMB WENT OFF IN THE CAR). SINCE 2/05. *TR

• 12/25/2004· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CREAKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. ALSO, BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. GASKETS REPLACED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ALSO THE THROTTLE GASKET REPLACED.*AK

• 12/23/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  I BOUGHT MY GRAND PRIX FROM CHIP BANKS IN DUQUOIN, IL. IN AUGUST OF 2006 AND IT HAD ONLY 39,500 AFTER OWNING IT FOR 4 MONTHS THE HEAD STARTED TO MISFIRE. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID IT HAD BEEN HEALY COILED TO JUST TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX MY CAR BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND IT DID NOT HAVE VERY MANY MILES ON IT SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OKAY. I HAD IT HEALY COILED TO REPAIR IT AND IT HELD FOR 8 MONTHS AND NOW ALL THE OTHER ROCKER ARMS ARE NEEDING HEALY COILED IN BECAUSE THEY ARE WORN OUT AND THEY ARE DROPPING THE PUSH ROD INTO MY HEAD. I BOUGHT A NEW HEAD FOR MY CAR AND HAD IT INSTALLED AND NOW THE OTHER HEAD IS DOING THE SAME THING. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM THE MOTHER OF FOUR AND I AM LOW INCOME I CALLED CHIP BANKS AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME AND I HAVE NO WAY TO GET MY KIDS AROUND. ONE THING ABOUT MY CAR IS ADVANCED AUTO WHERE I GOT MY HEAD FROM HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER IT BECAUSE IT HAD A 8 MM BOLT PATTERN SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HELPS ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OR NOT. I GAVE $13,000.00 FOR THIS CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND I DON'T WANT ANOTHER CAR I LOVE MY GRAND PRIX I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THE HEADS HAVE BEEN RECALLED OR SOMETHING. I TRIED TO GO ON CAR FAX.COM AND IT SAID MY CAR HAD ELEVEN REPORTS ON IT BUT I DO NOT OWN A CREDIT CARD SO I CANNOT PURCHASE IT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL ME IF THE CAR HAD EVER BEEN WRECKED OR THE ENGINE MESSED UP OR ANYTHING. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/22/2003· EQUIPMENT

  PONTIAC VIBE 2003 HAS A VERY POOR A/C SYSTEM, NOT CAPABLE OF COOLING THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR WHEN EXTERNAL TEMPERATURES ARE AROUND 90F. ALSO, THE A/C SYSTEM PRESENTS AN ANNOYING HISSING NOISE WHEN THE A/C IS OPERATING.*AK

• 12/21/2015· AIR BAGS

  I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR 13030. AFTER THEY 'FIXED' IT MY AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON. I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR 14877. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THEY ARE NOW FIGHTING WITH ME SAYING THAT THEY DID NOT DO THIS AND THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AS IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. AFTER ARGUING WITH THEM, THEY DID RUN A FREE DX TEXT WHICH WOULD OF COSTED ME $90.00. AS OF TODAY MY VEHICLE ITS NOW CODING B1181 AND THAT THEY ARE NOW TRYING TO CHARGE ME $1,000.00 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND COIL. HOWEVER I DID NOT HAVE ANY ISSUE WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT BEFORE THEY DID THE RECALL

• 12/21/2010· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  2003 PONTIAC VIBE. POWER DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK ON THEIR OWN AND CANNOT BE OVER-RIDDEN EITHER MANUALLY OR WITH KEY FOB. A PERSON INSIDE THE VEHICLE CANNOT EXIT. *TR

• 12/21/2004· STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE

  CONTINUAL EXPENSIVE REPAIR OF MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. IN JAN. 2003.. DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY SNAPPED. (UNDER WARRANTY). IN OCTOBER 2004... GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE NOZZLE CAME LOOSE FROM THE TANK, $900 REPAIR TODAY.. 12/21/04 VAN DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO RIGHT TIE ROD LOOSE AND ALIGNMENT $300 (CAR HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

• 12/21/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PONTIAC VIBE 2003 PRESENTS "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL. THIS IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS, WHICH CAN BE HARMFUL, EVEN DEADLY. SMELL GETS INSIDE THE DRIVER'S CABIN VIA A/C.*AK

• 12/13/2014· STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  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

• 12/12/2019· SEAT BELTS

  BUCKLE CAME UNLATCHED AND LATCH WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL

• 12/12/2013· AIR BAGS

  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.

• 12/09/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS

  I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG FOR THIS VEHICLE. AFTER WE GOT THE LAST RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE COMPLETED, ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG CAME ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT. THE OWNER MANUAL TELLS ME THIS IS A DANGER AND THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND MULTIPLY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING THEY DID. NOW THEY WANT $1000 TO FIX THE ISSUE. SOUND BOGEYS TO ME> I DO NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS BUT I DO HAVE MY PAPER WORK

• 12/09/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS

  I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG FOR THIS VEHICLE. AFTER WE GOT THE LAST RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE COMPLETED, ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG CAME ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT. THE OWNER MANUAL TELLS ME THIS IS A DANGER AND THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND MULTIPLY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING THEY DID. NOW THEY WANT $1000 TO FIX THE ISSUE. SOUND BOGEYS TO ME> I DO NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS BUT I DO HAVE MY PAPER WORK

• 12/09/2016· EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS

  I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG FOR THIS VEHICLE. AFTER WE GOT THE LAST RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE COMPLETED, ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG CAME ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT. THE OWNER MANUAL TELLS ME THIS IS A DANGER AND THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND MULTIPLY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING THEY DID. NOW THEY WANT $1000 TO FIX THE ISSUE. SOUND BOGEYS TO ME> I DO NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS BUT I DO HAVE MY PAPER WORK

• 12/09/2013· AIR BAGS

  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

• 12/09/2005· VISIBILITY

  DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION THEY ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND IT SHATTERED. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR THE LABOR BUT NOT THE PARTS TO FIX THE WINDOW.*AK

• 12/07/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 12/07/2013· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 12/06/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CAR STALLED ON ME WHILE ON A BUSY ROAD. ENDED UP BEING RELATED TO THE CARS PASSLOCK SYSTEM. COST $500 FOR TOWING AND REPAIRS. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING AGAIN AS CAR STALLED ON ME WHILE ON THE ROAD AGAIN ON 12/11/2007 AND WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON LATE 90'S EARLY 2000'S GM VEHICLES. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE, I WOULD HATE TO IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AS EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN ON THE CAR (I.E. POWER STEERING). VERY DANGEROUS!!! *TR

• 12/05/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  3.1L INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. *TR

• 12/04/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLAMP BULBS (EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT) 3 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. I HAVE BOUGHT THE MORE EXPENSIVE ONES THINKING THAT THE CHEAPER BULBS WERE THE PROBLEM AND IT IS STILL DOING IT. HAVE HAD 2003 VIBE SINCE NOVEMBER 2002 AND HAVE 125,000 MILES ON IT. FIRST SET OF HEADLAMPS LASTED 2 YEARS. *NM

• 12/01/2005· POWER TRAIN

  2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT - REPLACED CLUTCH ONCE AND DEALERSHIP AFTER 25K MILES THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. 10K MILES LATER IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AGAIN. *NM

• 11/28/2017· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  TAKATA RECALL; I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION DIRECTING ME TO GO TO KOOL CHEVROLET FOR REPAIRS. PARTS WERE ORDERED AND A SERVICE PERSON CALLED AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE. THE SERVICE MANAGER JASON IMMEDIATELY CALLED ME TO SAY THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE APPOINTMENT AND WORK ON MY CAR BECAUSE OF AN INCIDENT AT KOOL TOYOTA NEXT DOOR RELATING TO INCOMPETENT WORK PERFORMED ON MY 2012 TOYOTA RAV4 TWO YEARS AGO. ARE TOYOTA AND GM NOW ONE AND THE SAME? WHY SOLICIT MY BUSINESS AND THEN REFUSE TO DO IT AFTER ALL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE? CAN A GM DEALER "BLACKBALL" A CONSUMER TRYING TO COMPLETE A LIFE THREATENING RECALL REPAIR? I WILL CONTEST IN ADVANCE ANY EXCUSE THAT KOOL CHEVROLET COMES UP WITH THAT THEY SAY JUSTIFIES THEIR INACTION TO PERFORM THIS LIFE THREATENING RECALL REPAIR.

• 11/28/2007· SUSPENSION

  2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT UPON DECELERATION VEHICLE JERKS TO THE RIGHT AND SHUDDERS VIOLENTLY! VERY HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. IF GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED EVEN SLIGHTLY OR CLUTCH PEDAL PRESSED IN PROBLEM GOES AWAY. AS SOON AS CLUTCH IS RELEASED VIOLENT SHUDDER RETURNS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS AFTER DRIVING APPROX 15 TO 20 MILES AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL VEHICLE IS STOPPED FOR A FEW MINUTES. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT PONTIAC DEALER FOR 1 WEEK NO DIAGNOSIS OR PROBLEM FOUND YET. CAR DOES STOP FOR DEALER I HAVE RODE WITH THEM TO SHOW THEM WHAT IT DOES. DEALER SAYS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BUT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. *TR

• 11/24/2009· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE ON THE FREEWAY THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROZE UP CAUSING SUDDEN DECELERATION AND THE ENGINE TO DIE. I BRIEFLY LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BEFORE GETTING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE TRANSMISSION AND DESCRIBED IT AS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE ISSUE IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2003 TRANSMISSIONS MADE BY TOYOTA IN PONTIAC VIBES AND MATRIX. *TR

• 11/23/2007· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACTS SPOUSE PRESSED THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW. WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE IT, THE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNUSUAL NOISE AFTER THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPLACED. A GLASS COMPANY MADE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

• 11/21/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  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

• 11/20/2002· VISIBILITY

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A REAL BAD SMELL THAT COMES FROM THE VENTILATOR SYSTEM. ALSO STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM COMES EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE COMES TO A FULL STOP. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AS FAR AS TESTING THE VEHICLE. TS

• 11/18/2014· STEERING,AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 11/18/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE WITH 40,000 MILES AND THE ENGINE THREW A ROD. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT SLUDGE IN THE OIL CAUSED BY IMPROPER MAINTENANCE WAS THE REASON THE ENGINE FAILED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE THAT IS IN THE TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAD THE PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE IN THE OIL. TOYOTA HAS AGREED TO REPAIR ENGINES IN TOYOTA'S DAMAGED BY SLUDGE IN THE OIL. PONTIAC STATED THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I BELEIVE THIS WAS CAUSED BY AN ENGINE DEECT AND IS NOT DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. *AK

• 11/13/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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.

• 11/11/2017· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA RECALL. BEEN WAITING FOR 6 MONTHS OR MORE FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN FROM DEALERSHIP..BACKORDER.

• 11/07/2002· POWER TRAIN

  CONSUMER NOTICE WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT VEHICLE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR DOES NOT LIGHT UP CAUSING CONSUMER UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT DEFAULT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 11/06/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 11/06/2008· VISIBILITY

  RECALL NOTICE FOR 2003 PONTIAC VIBE REGARDING THE BOLTS IN THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. CONSUMER HAS ISSUES WITH REIMBURSEMENT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BOLTS IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN 2006. IT WAS CAUSING THE WINDOW TO STICK AND MAKING CLICKING NOISES. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED REIMBURSEMENT MAY BE POSSIBLE. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER SHE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT SINCE IT WAS ALREADY FIXED UNDER RECALL; AND GM ONLY PAYS FOR REPAIRS ONCE. *JB

• 11/06/2008· VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  AFTER HAVING THE RECALL DONE ON MY 2003 VIBE, FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BOLTS IN THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM. IN AUGUST I AGAIN BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD CRACKING NOISES AND SCREECHING UPON OPERATION OF THE WINDOWS. I WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY EXAMINED THE WINDOWS AND THE MECHANICS HEARD THE NOISES BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE. THEY LUBRICATED THE MECHANISM, FOR WHICH I HAD TO PAY,AND SAID I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY FURTHER PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF I DID HAVE ANY MORE TROUBLE THE COST WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I USED THE WINDOWS VERY LITTLE BECAUSE I HAD NO CONFIDENCE IN THE REPAIR. I BEGAN TO HEAR THE NOISES AGAIN. YESTERDAY, UPON RETURNING FROM TAKING MY MOTHER TO HER HEART SPECIALIST, I STOPPED NEAR OUR MAIL BOX. MY MOTHER OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY. AS SHE STARTED TO REACH THROUGH THE OPENING, TO THE GET THE MAIL, THE WINDOW EXPLODED. I SAY EXPLODED BECAUSE THE FORCE AT WHICH IT SHATTERED WAS SO GREAT THE IT THREW GLASS ONTO THE ROOF OF THE CAR. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. MY MOTHER WAS COVERED IN GLASS, AS WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. GLASS ALSO HIT MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR

• 11/06/2002· POWER TRAIN

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION ALSO DESCRIBES THAT WHILE THE GEAR IS ON PARK THE VEHIICLE WILL ROLL. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. MR

• 11/05/2022· SEAT BELTS

  BUCKLE CAME UNLATCHED AND LATCH WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL DRIVER AND PASSENGER

• 11/05/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE REACHES HIGH RPMS AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK WHILE PARKING, CONSUMER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. WHILE IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP TO 5000 RPM'S OR SO AND STAYED AT THIS FULL THROTTLE POSITION FOR 1/2 A MINUTE. HIS FOOT WAS LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND HAD THE PASSENGER TO VERIFY THE ENGINE STAYED AT FULL THROTTLE WITH FOOT ON ALL PEDALS. SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, CONSUMER HAD MECHANIC TO CLEAN/INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND SENSORS, REPROGRAMMED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, REPLACE THE ACCELERATION CABLE AND DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER THE FOURTH INCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD THE MECHANIC TO INSTALL A MONITOR TO RECORD THE ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS FOR THE NEXT INCIDENT. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES EVER OCCURRED FOR ANY OF THESE SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENTS. *PH *NLM

• 11/04/2014· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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

• 11/04/2014· AIR BAGS

  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

• 11/03/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVE GEAR. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, WENT INTO A BRICK WALL, THEN THROUGH AN OFFICE WINDOW. DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION/2 BROKEN FRACTURES IN THE ORBIT OF RIGHT EYE AREA, AND A SPRAINED NECK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN ON MEDICATION FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SINCE THE ACCIDENT. *TC

• 11/01/2007· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHEN THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BUTTON TO ROLL DOWN THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, IT MADE A POPPING NOISE. HE STATED THAT THE WINDOW COULD POSSIBLY CRACK AND BREAK WHILE DRIVING, WHICH HE CONSIDERED TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST PURCHASED, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DID NOT WORK AND WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT NOW BELIEVES THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN PART OF THE DEFECT. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW WINDOW MECHANISM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

• 10/24/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE JUST STOPPED RUNNING IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. BY SEARCHING THE WEB THERE APPEARS TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES 2003 PONTIAC VIBE, AWD. *TR

• 10/23/2013· AIR BAGS

  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.

• 10/23/2007· POWER TRAIN

  MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 58,000 MILES. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. TWO BLOCKS LATER IT CAME TO A DEAD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY. THIS IS A POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY. PONTIAC WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SAME CAR AS A TOYOTA MATRIX. THERE ARE MANY, MANY INCIDENTS OF BOTH MATRIXES AND VIBES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURES AT LOW MILEAGE. *TR

• 10/23/2004· POWER TRAIN

  THE CAR HAS A HORRIBLE RATTLING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP OR AT A LOW IDLE. *AK

• 10/22/2002· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENTCrash

  2003 PONTIAC VIBE WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN HIT THE SIDE GUARD RAIL AND ANOTHER CAR. NO AIR BAGS (FRONT AND SIDES) DEPLOYED, AND ONE BACK SEAT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THERE WERE FIVE PEOPLE IN THE COMPLAINANT VEHICLE WERE INJURED.*AK *TS *JB *CB