KnownCarProblems2005 Pontiac Vibe Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 301 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac Vibe, most often about the air bags (58% of complaints, typically around 118,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Vibe model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2005 Pontiac Vibe problems
Air bags
174 complaints · 58%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
My girl's vehicle stopped on it's own several times with no warning, but later would restart. The engine just kept stopping she would say in various turns, but with jiggling the key it would start back up.the last time while turning left at a light the vehicle died in the middle of the turn again. This time, the…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of an unknown recall for the passenger air bag. The vehicle was repaired; however, the air bag warning indicator was still illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to coulter cadillac phoenix (1188 east camelback rd, phoenix, az 85014; [phone])…
Engine
43 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
Pcm for 2005 Pontiac Vibe failed. Symptoms of failure were 'check engine' light illuminated, transmission made hard and erratic shifts. Symptoms are similar to those described in NHTSA campaign id number: 10v387000. When gm help center was contacted, I was told my vehicle was not covered under recall. I requested that…
Check engine light at @93k miles. Scanner says "catalytic converter low function". Dealer replaces "cat". Check engine light returns in less than 60mi of driving. Scanner says same problem.
Transmission
34 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission.
2005 Pontiac Vibe PCM failure. Engine light came on, and the transmission began shifting very hard. Engine code p2716. I have read numerous reports where people are told by dealerships to replace the transmission, and after doing so the symptoms still occur. After finally replacing the PCM, the issues were resolved.…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal noise when driving at any speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that because the power control module was improperly installed, the engine and transmission had become defective and was causing the…
Visibility and wipers
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 59,500 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, glass, side/rear, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer due to a clicking noise. The dealer stated that they could not hear the noise and the vehicle was running normally. The front driver's side window exploded. She took the vehicle back to the dealer and had the window replaced. The contact…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 5 MPH, the front drivers side window made an unusually loud noise. The contact was able to locate NHTSA recall campaign id number 08v162000 (visibility: glass, side/rear) and contacted the dealer where he was advised his VIN was not…
Electrical
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 93,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The check engine light came on. I was making a left turn at a traffic light and the car stalled in the middle of the intersection. I put the car in park and restarted it. Shortly thereafter the car stalled again while I was driving but I was able to make a turn into a parking lot. Also, the transmission will slip out…
2005 Pontiac Vibe's check engine light came on, the car started running rough, and then the car died. The car would not start and a wrecker had to be called. The mechanic was able to start the car some of the time but it would start running rough and would die while the car was being driven. I had read a newspaper…
Speed control
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact was driving approximately 2 MPH into his garage. The vehicle increased acceleration without warning. The vehicle was able to stop with force applied to the brake pedal. The identical failure occurred on a separate occasion while braking for a stop light. The failure…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that in 2009, her vehicle suddenly accelerated and she almost crashed into a building. She had to depress the brake pedal with both feet to stop the vehicle. The failure occurred three times since 2008. The vehicle suddenly began to accelerate while she was in…
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 29,500 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems, rim.
2005 Pontiac Vibe purchased just over 3 years ago. Approx 24,000 miles. Automatic tire pressure sensor keeps coming on even though tire pressure is fine. 2 trips to dealer and could not figure out problem. Dealer installed vehicle data recorder. Dealer says needs a new electronic balance control monitor? This car has…
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact noticed that the aluminum rims were defective and causing the tires to leak air and deflate intermittently. The contact made three attempts to replace the tires however, the tires continued to deflate intermittently. The dealer was not aware of the problem. The contact…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The door check link on my 2005 Pontiac Vibe is bent with a crack in it. It puts pressure against the passenger side window and may cause it to shatter. This is a part that should never fail and apparently this design is very poor.
: the contact stated while traveling 25 MPH and during right turns, there was squeaking and scraping noises coming from the breaks when the brake pedal was depressed or released. There was a second problem of a hinge on the right front door causing a grinding noise when the door was opened or closed. The service…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Pontiac Vibe recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are k1q and k0q. Pontiac owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Gm's number for this recall is n192273760.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 corolla, 2005-2008 corolla matrix, and pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the toyota and lexus owners. General motors will notify the pontiac vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began january 23, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are j0a (zone a toyota), j0b (zone b toyota), j0c (zone c toyota), jli (zone
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 lexus sc and toyota sequoia, 2003-2005 toyota corolla and tundra, and 2003-2007 pontiac vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-285 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on july 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. Note: this recall supersedes recall 14v-312 in its entirety.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 sequoia vehicles manufactured august 18, 2003, to august 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 tundra vehicles manufactured march 18, 2003, to august 25, 2004. On june 16, 2015, toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 sequoia, 2005-2006 tundra, 2003-2007 corolla, 2003-2007 corolla matrix, 2003-2007 pontiac vibe and 2002-2007 lexus sc vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been ins
Air bags
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-286 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on july 13, 2015. Pontiac vibe owners may contact gm at 1-800-762-2737. Gm began the recall on june 29, 2015. Note: this recacl
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) notified the agency on may 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 lexus sc, toyota corolla, corolla matrix, sequoia, and pontiac vibe, and 2005-2006 toyota tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in florida, along the gulf coast, puerto rico, hawaii, the u.s. Virgin islands, guam, saipan and american samoa. On june 16, 2015 toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 lexus sc, toyota sequoia, 2003-2004 toyota corolla matrix, toyota corolla, pontiac vibe, and toyota tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the may 13, 2015 notification in the portions of georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessit
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 8, 2011. Owners may contact gm at 1-800-620-7668.
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 pontiac vibe vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe (lv6) engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Engine stall
Summary
On august 26, 2010, toyota submitted a defect information report to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) regarding problems with engine control modules that could result in engine stall while driving in certain model year (my) 2005 through 2008 toyota corolla, corolla matrix and pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with the 1zz-fe engine and two-wheel drive and manufactured between april 19, 2004 and january 2, 2008.toyota's report indicated that cracks may develop at certain solder point or on varistors on the ecms.according to toyota, such cracks generally resulted in engine warning lamp illumination, harsh shifting or engine no-start.in some cases, if the cracking occurs o
Questions about the 2005 Pontiac Vibe
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Vibe?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (174 complaints, typically around 118,000 miles); engine (43 complaints, typically around 94,500 miles); transmission (34 complaints, typically around 99,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Vibe have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 28, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Pontiac Vibe?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Vibe model year since 2000, with 301 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.