12 of the 315 complaints about the 2004 Pontiac Vibe are about the engine — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 18,500 miles.
12
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
TAKATA RECALL I'M A DISABLED VETERAN RESIDING IN GEORGIA AND I'M HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING A GM DEALER TO REPAIR MY TWO OPEN RECALLS ON MY 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. I'M AFRAID THAT I COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10934226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V285000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10808171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
BOUGHT VEHICLE FROM DEARER CARFAX CLEAR. DRIVING 55 MPH ON ROAD, CAR ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP AND I LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TRIED TO PUT IN 1ST GEAR (6 SPEED MANUAL) CLUTCH WOULD NOT ENGAGE, VEHICLE DIED. BATTERY OK, FLUIDS OK, NO PRIOR ISSUES WITH VEHICLE, HAD TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP. TRANSMISSION BEARINGS DEFECTIVE, DEFECTIVE MAIN SHAFT BEARING, DEFECTIVE CLUSTER SHAFT BEARING. THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE SHORTLY BEFORE SEIZING UP AND STOPPING ON THE ROAD AT A HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10779501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING TO A DR. APPT IN BOSTON FROM GLOUCESTER. THE CAR HYDROPLANED HITTING THE JERSEY BARRIER, SPINNING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET HITTING THE GUARDRAIL, AND FURTHER SPINNING TO HIT THE JERSEY BARRIER AGAIN TOTALING THE CAR. THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT AS MUCH AS IT IS INFO FOR TAKING US OFF YOUR RECALL LIST. WE NO LONGER OWN THE VIBE. I DO WANT TO SAY, HOWEVER, HAD MY DAUGHTER NOT BEEN IN SUCH A WELL-BUILT VEHICLE, SHE WOULD PROBABLY NOT HAVE SURVIVED WITH JUST BRUISES WHERE THE SEATBELT HELD HER IN PLACE AND BRUISING TO HER RIGHT KNEE BECAUSE HER KNEE HIT THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH WE QUESTIONED WHY DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE ACCIDENT. THAT BEING SAID, SHE WAS RATHER HAPPY IT DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE SHE FELT SHE WOULD HAVE HAD MORE PHYSICAL ISSUES HAD IT DEPLOYED (BURNS). --- THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10747614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAD TO HAVE A NEW WATERPUMP, THERMOSTAT, OUTLET SEAL INSTALLED AS I COULD NOT GET ANY HEAT. IT WAS AS IF I WENT FASTER I WOULD GET A LITTLE HEAT. WHEN TOOK TO S&K THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW WATERPUMP, ETC. THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR IT. I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THIS AS I WENT ONLINE AND RESEARCHED THIS AND SAW MANY OTHERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 VIBES. SOMETHING ABOUT WHEN CHECKING ANTI FREEZE AND THE OVER FLOW IT WAS TO BE BURPED. THIS HAPPENED AT THE DEALER DID A COMPLETE CHECK UP FOR WINTER. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THEY CAUSED THIS BECAUSE THEY CHECKED MY ANTIFREEZE WITHOUT BURNING IT AFTER THEY CHECKED IT. I THEN TOOK IT ELSEWHERE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS I COULD NOT AFFORD THE $500.00. I AM RETIRED AND A SENIOR CITIZEN. THE PLACE I TOOK IT TOO WAS WONDERFUL AND AGREED THAT THEY DID NOT SERVICE IT LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. WHAT IS ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS? EVERYTIME I TAKE SOMETHING TO S&K SOMETHING ELSE GOES WRONG. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE FIRST RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS AND NOW MY LIGHTS ON THE RADIO, ETC. ARE FADED. WHAT THEY DID I DO NOT KNOW. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO HAVE THIS PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. I LOVE MY VIBE AND TODAY HAVE ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS STILL LIKE NEW. JUST THAT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAT AND LIGHTS MAKE ME SICK. I NEED MY HEAT AS I HAVE A LUNG CONDITION AND HAVE TO STAY WARM.
NHTSA complaint #10680600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CLICKING SOUND BEHIND GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, IT MAKES A CLICKING SOUND. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE NOISE IS TO TURN ON THE RECIRCULATION/AIR CONDITIONER.. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,750.
NHTSA complaint #10400606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TWO ISSUES THAT I HAVE ARE, THE AIR CIRCULATION VENT MAKES A CLICKING. WHEN I OPENED IT UP, I SAW THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE VENT WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, I HAD TO STICK A PENCIL IN IT TO MAKE IT STOIP CLICKING, BECAUSE I WILL NOT SPEND 100 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. ALSO, WE LIVE IN MONTANA, AND OUR NEW BATTERY WILL NOT START UNDER 20 DEGREES. WE HAVE EXTREEM WEATHER HERE, SO IT LEAVES US WITH ONLY ONE CAR, AND OFTEM WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET TO WORK ON TIME. MANY OTHER PEOPLE IN COLD WEATHER ENVIROMENTS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. IT SEEMS TO BE SOMETHING WITH THE STARTER. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED, BECAUSE IT COULD LEAVE US IN VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. CELL SERVICE IS NOT OFTEN AVAILABLE IN THIS AREA, AND IT FRIGHTENS ME TO THINK WE COULD BE STUCK AT SOME POINT.
NHTSA complaint #10382390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
JANUARY 2005 WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2004 PONTIAC VIBE FROM WADE RAULERSON GM PONTIAC. THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 39,000 MILES. DURING THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP A TICKING NOISE WAS NOTICED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN AT APPROXIMATELY 40,000 MILES WHEN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED US THAT AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED AND THE CAUSE OF THE DAMAGE WAS EXCESSIVE WEAR AND TEAR. DURING OUR OWNERSHIP A 71 YEAR OLD WOMAN HAS DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE PLACING 6,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE IN 18 MONTHS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS WAS FLAWED AND THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURERS SOLD US A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. GM AND THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT A COST OF $10,026 WITH A 50/50 SPLIT OR A USED ENGINE FOR A COST TO US OF LITTLE UNDER $5,000. THE FINAL WRITTEN ESTIMATE PROVIDED TO US WAS FOR $3800.00 PLUS TO BE CHARGED TO US. IT IS AGAIN OBVIOUS THAT A DEALERSHIP WHICH CERTIFIES AN ENGINE THAT SO MISERABLY FAILS IS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE LICENSED AND A MANUFACTURER WHO PUTS A PRODUCT OUT SUCH AS THIS IS NEGLIGENT. CHILDREN WERE DRIVEN REGULARLY IN THIS HUNK OF JUNK AND IT IS BY GRACE THAT NOTHING HAPPENED. ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE WHETHER MEDIATION OF THE PROBLEM OR SANCTION OF THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER WOULD BE APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10169825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS AND SAFETY DEFECTS. THE FIRST PROBLEM STARTED JUST SEVEN DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKES THEY SOUNDED LIKE THEY WERE FALLING APART. THE NEXT PROBLEM CONCERNED THE ENGINE. AT TIMES THERE WAS NOISE AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK VERY BADLY. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE THIRD PROBLEM INVOLVED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE RADIO MADE A CRACKING SOUND, AND THE POWER DOOR LOCKS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASHED/TURNED OFF AND ON. DUE TO THE LACK OF ILLUMINATION, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS VERY HARD TO SEE. WHEN THE POWER WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP ONE CAN HEAR A BUZZING SOUND .WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING LOT THE KEYLESS ENTRY OPENED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS 30 FEET. AWAY. ALSO, THE SMELLS OF RAW GAS FUMES WERE COMING FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THE FIREWALL SHIELD SCREWS WERE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND WAS CURRENTLY IN ARBITRATION.
NHTSA complaint #10144499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
A DRONE NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, ESPECIALLY DURING DAMP OR COLD WEATHER, FALL AND WINTER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT WAS A ?CHARACTERISTIC OF THE PONTIAC EVEN THOUGH THIS CHARACTERISTIC WAS NOT PRESENT WHEN I TEST DROVE THE CAR IN THE SUMMER, AND IT WAS NOT TOLD TO ME WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. GMC CONFIRMED MY OWN BELIEF THAT IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE MUFFLER ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10118040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2004 PONTIAC VIBE WITH 5,200 MILES HAD ENGINE SEIZE. EXPERTS SAY DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE, GM WON'T HONOR WARRANTY, GM REP VISITED WITH ME AND SAID DON'T TELL ANYONE FROM GM I WAS TALKING WITH YOU AND LIED DURING CONVERSATION, YET SUBMITTED REPORT AND SAID DENY CLAIM, OTHER VEHICLES HAVE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10106363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON TWICE IN FIRST 3000 MILES. DEALERS UNABLE TO FIX PROBLEM; COMPUTER CODE INDICATES SOMETHING IN THE EVAP CANISTER AREA. ALL DEALER'S DO IS RESET THE LIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10065974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.