KnownCarProblems2008 Pontiac Vibe Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac Vibe, most often about the air bags (76% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles). It is 7th of 12 Vibe model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Pontiac Vibe problems
Air bags
48 complaints · 76%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles.
Airbag warning light on-no crash of any kind-dealer said was defective sensor connected to seat would cost over $600 just for the seat-then around september 2013 overdrive engages every time is put in drive and will only disengage by putting into neutral then drive.
Takata recall. I received a recall for my airbag. Neither the dealer or gm can even give me an estimate as to when repair parts will be received. On top of that, the recall states that ""until the repair is performed, the front passenger seat should not be occupied ". I regularly use this vehicle to carpool with four…
Engine
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Vibe. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH, and suddenly there was a reduction in the engine power. When at a complete stop the engine would stall while the warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel and within a few minutes the engine would restart. Nhtsa recall…
While pulling into a driveway the vehicle accelerated on its own continuing forward with brake applied even leaving skid marks until running into a stone column. Would have crashed into the house instead the column if hadn't steered hard to the right.
Speed control
4 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving for 2 miles without touching the accelerator; she slowly applied the brakes and they made a loud clanking noise. While driving up hill in her driveway the vehicle was traveling about 20 MPH on it's own. The vehicle was not repaired. Diagnostic…
Feb 3, 2011 was the first occurrence. I put the car in reverse then pulled forward, turning the wheel to the right to give myself room to back up and turn my car so I could pull out onto a busy street going forward rather than backing out into traffic. I was going very slowly and applied the brakes when the car…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 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: 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: The recall began on march 25, 2016 for toyota and lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on june 23, 2016 for gm owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15v-285.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 lexus sc vehicles manufactured august 3, 2007, to july 30, 2010, 2008 toyota corolla vehicles manufactured may 25, 2007, to december 21, 2007, 2008 toyota corolla matrix vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to december 18, 2007, and 2008 pontiac vibe vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to january 2, 2008. 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 installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitatin
Air bags: inflator module
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: The recall began on march 25, 2016 for toyota and lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on june 8, 2016 for gm owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15v-286.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 lexus sc vehicles manufactured august 3, 2007, to july 30, 2010, 2008 toyota corolla vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to december 21, 2007, 2008 toyota corolla matrix vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to december 18, 2007, and 2008 pontiac vibe vehicles manufactured june 1, 2007, to january 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in florida, puerto rico, hawaii, the u.s. Virgin islands, guam, saipan, american samoa, georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
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
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 2008 Pontiac Vibe
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (48 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); engine (4 complaints); speed control (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac Vibe have?
- 4 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 2008 a bad year for the Pontiac Vibe?
- It is 7th of 12 Vibe model years by number of complaints, with 63 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.