2009 PONTIAC VIBE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
600
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
20
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE
The 2009 PONTIAC VIBE has received a total of 600 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 20 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (352 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (39 complaints), and Steering (33 complaints).
Recalls for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE
NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE, potentially affecting up to 8,932,262 vehicles.
Recall 18V024000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 628,018 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on...
View full details →Recall 17V006000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 577,875 vehicles affected
Defect: 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....
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began...
View full details →Recall 16V340000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 1,754,517 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on...
View full details →Recall 15V689000 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
| 1,814,284 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20,...
View full details →Recall 14V168000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 1,486,413 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when...
View full details →Recall 12V491000 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
| 2,519,424 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a...
View full details →Recall 10V024000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
| 70,806 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN A RECALL REMEDY IS AVAILABLE FOR RECALL 10038: FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. GM REQUESTS THAT CUSTOMERS TAKE OUT ANY REMOVABLE (CARPETED, ALL-WEATHER, OR OTHER) DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT AND NOT REPLACE IT WITH...
View full details →Recall 10V018000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
| 70,806 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN EARLY FEBRUARY AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE...
View full details →Recall 09V392000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 10,119 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL ADVISORY LETTER WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE
600 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Toyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine in my 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT suffers from excessive oil consumption due to a known piston ring defect. The rapid oil loss between changes puts the engine at risk of failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue poses a serious safety risk because: 1.Oil levels drop unpredictably, increasing the risk of sudden engine failure while driving, which could lead to accidents. 2.No dashboard warning appears when oil is low, making it difficult to detect before damage occurs. 3.Toyota acknowledged this defect under Warranty Enhancement ZE7, but Pontiac Vibe owners were excluded, despite having the same Toyota-manufactured engine. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Independent mechanics have confirmed the excessive oil consumption, consistent with the known Toyota 2AZ-FE defect. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? •Toyota acknowledged the issue in their vehicles but refused assistance for the Pontiac Vibe GT. •GM has not inspected the vehicle, even though they marketed and sold it. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? •No warning lights indicate low oil levels. •Symptoms include rapid oil loss, increased engine noise, and potential knocking if oil is not constantly monitored. Summary for NHTSA The Pontiac Vibe GT uses the Toyota 2AZ-FE engine, which Toyota admitted has a piston ring defect. Toyota extended warranties for their vehicles but excluded Pontiac Vibe owners, leaving us with a known defective engine. This creates a safety risk that should be investigated.
The contact called on behalf of her sister who owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while her sister was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal noise and the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The contact was notified of an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
I been trying to get the recalls to be fix but both the dealers and GM haven’t been able to help due to parts discontinued, I been trying to get this issued resolve for a year or so. I need help please, they just keep saying that all recalls on this vehicle don’t have the parts for it and don’t know what else to do.
I been trying to get the recalls to be fix but both the dealers and GM haven’t been able to help due to parts discontinued, I been trying to get this issued resolve for a year or so. I need help please, they just keep saying that all recalls on this vehicle don’t have the parts for it and don’t know what else to do.
I been trying to get the recalls to be fix but both the dealers and GM haven’t been able to help due to parts discontinued, I been trying to get this issued resolve for a year or so. I need help please, they just keep saying that all recalls on this vehicle don’t have the parts for it and don’t know what else to do.
Safety Rating for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE
General Motors, LLC has issued 20 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PI1394B — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
19NA204 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
This informational bulletin explains that the code displayed on the Tech2 is incorrect and must use the diagnostics for B1773.
06-00-89-029M — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
This informational bulletin provides information on Interior Cleaning - Instrument Panel (IP), Hard or Plastic Surfaces, Seats, Carpet, Leather, Vinyl, Fabric Cleaner, Stain Remover, Restorer - Product Availability
10-06-04-010A — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
This technical bulletin supplies repair information to correct customer concerns of intermittent MIL/Check Engine light on, DTCs P0607 and/or P0138, vehicle Stability Control lamp on, drivability concerns in high ambient temperatures with A/C on.
14139 — AIR BAGS
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL-Driver's Airbag Module
PIC5838A — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the General Motors Technical Assistance Center part restriction on the Power Window Master Switch and Circuit Board has ended.
PIC5838A — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
09-06-01-015A — ENGINE
GM: THERE MAYBE A BRIEF KNOCK/RATTLE NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA ON A COLD START UP. CAMSHAFT TIMING GEAR ACTUTATOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JS
SB-0000163342-A — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
SB-0000162457-A — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.
Showing 10 of 20 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2009 PONTIAC VIBE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the PONTIAC VIBE
- 2004 PONTIAC VIBE — 314 complaints
- 2005 PONTIAC VIBE — 337 complaints
- 2006 PONTIAC VIBE — 199 complaints
- 2007 PONTIAC VIBE — 202 complaints
- 2008 PONTIAC VIBE — 68 complaints
- 2009 PONTIAC VIBE (current)
- 2010 PONTIAC VIBE — 67 complaints
- 2014 PONTIAC VIBE — 1 complaint
Other PONTIAC Models
- PONTIAC G6 — 8,406 total complaints
- PONTIAC GRAND AM — 8,105 total complaints
- PONTIAC GRAND PRIX — 7,302 total complaints
- PONTIAC BONNEVILLE — 2,576 total complaints
- PONTIAC SUNFIRE — 1,641 total complaints
- PONTIAC MONTANA — 1,451 total complaints
- PONTIAC TRANS SPORT — 1,262 total complaints
- PONTIAC TORRENT — 918 total complaints