Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Pontiac Vibe
Pontiac Vibe Models:
Pontiac Vibe Problems
Front Brake Rotor Wear Can Cause Pulsations
Front brake rotors can wear causing a pulsation felt in the brake pedal. Our technicians often recommend replacement of the front rotors and brake pads as the best option to correct this condition.
Check Engine Light Due to Gas Cap Issue
Illumination of the Check Engine Light can be caused by a loose or worn gas cap.
Window Won't Roll Due to Loose Regulator Mounting Bolts
The bolts attaching the front door window glass to the window regulator may come loose. This can cause the window regulator to become damaged and possibly causing the window glass to break. Some 2003 & 2004 models have been recalled for the issue.
Where's The Fresh Air?
Part that opens and closes the outside fresh air vent was stuck in the recirculate position. Dealer replaced the part under warranty which was just about to expire. Only other problem is the front brakes are starting to squeak a bit. Pads are original ones. Probably time for a change. No other problems to report
Pontiac Vibe Recalls (Recent)
Gas Pedal May Stick And Cause Uncontrolled Acceleration
RepairPal Expert Overview:
A poorly fitting driver's side floor mat may cause the gas pedal to stick at wide open throttle, causing uncontrolled acceleration. A stuck gas pedal can result in very high vehicle speeds, which may lead to a crash. General Motors will notify owners when there is a remedy for this concern. Owners are advised to remove the floor mat and place it in the trunk until the recall remedy is ready. GM recommends that no other floor mat be installed in the interim. The GM recall number is 10038.
Learn more »Accelerator Pedal May Become Hard to Depress
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The accelerator pedal may become increasingly difficult to depress. Moisture may get into the sliding surface of the pedal lever, and the lever may deteriorate and bind. A sticking or difficult to operate accelerator causes an increased risk of a collision. Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal that will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. This recall began in early February 2010.
Learn more »Front Door Glass May Come off Track and/or Break
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The bolts securing the driver and passenger front door glass may loosen and come off, causing the glass to separate from the window regulator. An abnormal noise may be noted when operating the windows. The window may bind and shatter during operation causing the driver distraction and/or injury. Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front door glass bolts with newly designed bolts to correct this concern. The Toyota recall number is 80A. The General Motors recall number is 07273.
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Sudden Increased Stopping Distance in Freezing Weather
RepairPal Expert Overview:
In extremely low temperatures, condensation in the brake booster vacuum port may freeze, causing an increase in stopping distance, which can lead to a crash. Dealers will modify the brake vacuum line free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2009. The GM recall number is 09199.
Learn more »The Rear Axle Hub Bolts May be Loose
RepairPal Expert Overview:
The attaching bolts for one or both rear hub assemblies may not have been tightened to specification during the vehicle assembly process. One or more of the four bolts could come loose, causing an abnormal noise from the rear axle area. In the event that all four bolts loosen, the hub assembly could separate from the rear axle which could lead to loss of vehicle control. Dealers will properly tighten the affected bolts to correct this concern.
Learn more »Pontiac Vibe Questions and Answers
Occasionally the cruise control on my Vibe shuts off. When it shuts off, the "Cruise" light flickers off. Sometimes it works fine. When it shuts off, I can reset it to speed, but it usually shut...
My "Check Engine" light just came on. My Vibe has 172k miles. Just bought from a dealer "As is". They did warn me about this coming on due to possible catalitic converter problems that was a common...
What mileage should the timing belt be changed?
Is there a relay in the circuit to allow the A/C compressor to turn on? Doesn't click on, light on button lights, fuse good.
what kine off oil i use for this car
Pontiac Vibe Stories
I replace a 2005 base Vibe with a 2009 GT. The suspension is far superior. The independent rear suspension corners much better.
They equipped mine with On Star and XM radio from the factory. I blew a tire on a mountain road. There was no cell service up there. I reached On Star and the service truck came up and had me going in about forty-five minutes.
Love our Pontiacs. We'll miss you.
2004 vibe, 160,000 miles. FANTASTIC VEHICLE!!!!!! wish I wldve bought a few extra vibes...have two teens. If I had a garage I wldve had an awesome paint job still....wore a lil, from snow, rain, heat, sleet, etc. Just AWESOME!!!!!!!! Headlights are worn and need replaced....but...
love this car 130000 miles and i have done front brakes,turned rear drums. i have changed oil every 3000 miles and of coarse tires every 500000 or so.
car is awd and rear axle seals are starting to seep. but i really wish i had bought two and put 1 away. even though i plan to see 250000 miles with this one. very happy vibe owner.
120,000 miles and still drives like new. We should have bought two. The car did go to the dealer 3 times for the apparent gas cap issue, but the problem finally went away. The passenger power window is starting to make noise when lowering, I'll probably just fix it myself. The white paint is starting to fade, but the car does sit in the Florida sun quite abit.
I purchased my wife's 03 Vibe when they first came out,
after the 3yr-36k warranty (6yrs short trips 43K) the o2 sensor went out replaced & the o2 sensor behind CAT is still bad. Through the yrs at least a dozen driver side headlight bulbs, about every 3 months. Noticed engine knocking slightly checked oil level & there wasn't a drop (Missed one oil change at 3k). Added oil to no help. I replaced the main bearings and it solved the engine bearing noise. For tickles & Grins while the engine was running I unplugged the oil sensor light/sensor, then grounded it & NO OIL LIGHT CAME ON. Just for the sake of arguing the light comes on when the ignition is turned on then shuts off when the car is started.Now at 143K when driving ( Any gear) the car. Once in awhile it stutters real bad all most like taking off in 5th gear, I push the clutch in and the enginge revs no problem, release the clutch and you have to keep it floored to maintain speed, then its fine ???WTF.
If I had to do it all over again I would have purchased the same car but 03 1/2 or a 2004.
I think I got the first one (Bugs) off the assembly line.
Don't get me wrong I like it, its easy to work on & parts are not that expensive.