NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine Problems

CarComplaints.com Notes: The Pontiac Vibe is the mechanical twin of the Toyota Matrix.

Both models were a joint GM-Toyota venture, manufactured together at a NUMMI production facility in Fremont, CA. Only the heating & A/C systems are different.

2.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,260 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Pontiac Vibe engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #8

Aug 012010

Vibe

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 abnormal noise. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 102,000.

- Matteson , IL, USA

problem #7

Feb 152011

Vibe

  • 86,928 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was shifted into any gear, she heard a loud noise and the engine jerked. The contact received a notice for recall 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) but the dealer refused to honor it. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and stayed on. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that she would have to pay a diagnostic fee. The failure mileage was 86,928.

- Yonkers, NY, USA

problem #6

Sep 212010

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 97,584 miles
Engine light comes on and stays on. Codes: PO441 evap emissions purge flow fault P2420 solenoid control circuit high voltage in cold weather 35 degrees F or lower engine idles erratically between 1500 to 2000 RPM and loses power when accelerating. Engine does not reach normal operating temperature for first 5 miles of driving. Heater/defroster works poorly for first 5 miles of driving.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #5

Nov 252010

Vibe

  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the PCM/ECM computer system shut down, locked and stalled the vehicle. The vehicle would restart but would stall immediately after again. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and then towed to an authorized dealer who refused to inspect the vehicle because it would not start. The dealer informed him that they could only repair the vehicle according to recall 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) if the vehicle was operative. The contact had the vehicle repaired at his expense at the local repair shop. The contact called the manufacturer who referred him to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #4

Sep 282010

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. While stopped at a traffic light, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the engine control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 52,000. Updated 01/04/118lj updated 01/10/11

- Urbandale, IA, USA

problem #3

Nov 012007

Vibe

  • 67,000 miles
Every so often, I will go to start my car and it will not turn over unless I gun the gas! took it to a dealership and they said they replaced come sort of chip and said there was a recall. It happened again this year so I took it to another dealership. They said the first dealership lied to me. There were no recalls and the part they replaced was not what would cause my problem. Car just doesn't want to start sometimes! well maintained. At 86,000 miles. I also have problems with the car idling very hard! shakes the windows so they rattle when I stop throughout any given trip. Dealership also told me this was normal as well.....I don't think so!!!!

- Clarkston, MI, USA

problem #2

Oct 162008

Vibe

  • 60,000 miles
On 10/16/2008 I was driving my 2005 Vibe. I pulled out from a side street and accelerated, less than 2 blocks later I heard a loud pop/bang sound and pulled over because I also felt the car loose speed. I turned car off and popped hood, then saw oil all over the engine and all along the street behind me. Had car towed to my mechanic and was informed that my crank broke and blew a hole in the side of my engine block the size of a dinner plate. I have 60,000 miles on my car and have maintained it properly. My mechanic informed me that there is nothing I did or failed to do that caused this. I feel strongly that this was a factory defect and want to know how to get it repaid without shelling out $3,00 for a new engine.

- Deland, FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 152005

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 567 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. On November 15, 2005, the vehicle shut off and failed to restart while driving 45 mph. On seven occasions, including November 29, 2005, the dealer performed a diagnostic test and was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact also spoke with an attorney for advice regarding the lemon law. The attorney advised her that she had surpassed the lemon law requirements for her state due to the mileage on the vehicle. The contact was unable to speak to the manufacturer. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage is 4,200 and failure mileage was 567.

- Thomasville , NC, USA

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