2003 PONTIAC VIBE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe was manufactured by Toyota and is for all intent and purposes is a 2003 Toyota Matrix. The 2003-04 Pontiac Vibe should be included in the "Do not drive" advisory issued by Toyota 20 Jan 30th 2024. Only the body is different than the Toyota Matrix and everything internal is the same. Please do not let this model fall through the cracks. January 30, 2024, Toyota issued a "do not drive" advisory for certain 2003–2005 car models due to concerns about their Takata airbags: 2003–2004 Corolla 2003–2004 Corolla Matrix 2004–2005 RAV4 The company says the Corolla and Matrix models are under a separate recall because their airbags can be deployed without a crash. The Takata air bag inflators are at risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel. Customers can check if their Toyota has a recall at www.toyota.com/recall or by contacting the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

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

The secondary safety hood latch failed causing the hood to fly up and shatter the windshield while also obstructing visibility on the road. The complete obstruction of the windshield presented a dangerous situation putting myself and others at risk of death of severe injury. In addition this caused glass shards to enter the driver/passenger compartment if the vehical further presenting risk to the occupants. The secondary hood latch mechanism appears to be extremely rusted and stuck in the "open" position. I am aware the NHTSA has issued a recall for a similar defect in the past (Nissan affecting 1.9 million vehicles).

I HAVE A2003 PONTIAC VIBE WHICH HAD ATAKATA RECALL. IN JANUARY 2020, I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER CALLED"QUALITY BUICK GMC OF ENGLEWOOD" LOCATED AT"406 GRAND AVE ENGLEWOOD NJ 07631 US" TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. SINCE THE DAY OF THE REPAIR THE LID ON TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD HAD POPPEDUP AND DID NOT CLOSE FULLY. THAT IS WHERE THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG IN THE UPPER LEFT OF THE DASHBOARD IS LOCATED.I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A COSMETIC ISSUE THAT COULD BE IGNORED. THE CAR STARTEDMAKING INTERMITTENTNOISES SIMILAR TO A CLOCK SOUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I HAVE RARELY DRIVEN THE CAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC SINCE THE REPAIR WAS DONE. BUT RECENTLY THE NOISE HAS BECOME STEADY. I HAD MY MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN TOYOTA CARS CHECK THE CAR IN APRIL 2021. MY MECHANIC HAPPENS TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE. HE SAYS THAT THE AIRBAG REPAIR DONE ON THE CAR IN 2020 IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THAT IS TO SAY MY CAR WAS MESSED UP AS A RESULT OF THIS SO CALLED RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER NOW REFUSES TO CHECK THE CAR TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE CORRECTLY.

BLOWER MOTOR NOT CLOSING OR OPENING ALL THE WAY MAKES NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN RECIRCULATION IS ENGAUGED COMES RIGHT BACK WHEN TURNED OFF