NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling 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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,828 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.

2006 Pontiac Vibe engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #14

Aug 192015

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 117,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. While driving at approximately 40 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated and back fired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 117,000. MA 09/25

- New Franklin, MO, USA

problem #13

Jun 232009

Vibe 4-cyl

  • miles
2006 Pontiac Vibe. Consumer writes in regards to power train module recall notice the consumer stated on June 23, 2009, the PCM unit failed on the vehicle and it had to be towed. The repair shop was informed by the dealer, that the PCM unit was not under warranty, so the consumer had to pay $429.30. On September 9, 2009, the PCM unit failed again. The consumer went to the dealer, who informed the consumer that since the previous work was not performed at a dealer and he didn't keep the previous malfunctioning part, the replacement would not be covered by warranty. The cost was $605.92. The consumer is seeking reimbursement.

- Gettysburg, PA, USA

problem #12

May 042007

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,691 miles
Consumer writes to request reimbursement for the PCM replacement the consumer stated the PCM was replaced twice and the problem still exists. The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle exhibited a harsh transmission shift as well as engine stalling.

- Horsham, PA, USA

problem #11

Mar 012011

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

2006 Pontiac Vibe. Consumer writes in regards to lack of parts for recall repairs the consumer stated that he was under the impression that he believed the vehicle to be fully repaired after taking the vehicle to the dealer to have the airbag recall performed. The consumer was later made aware of that vehicle was repaired with interim parts.

- South Dennis, MA, USA

problem #10

Nov 182010

Vibe

  • 46,000 miles
My 2006 Pontiac Vibe began shifting harshly and the check engine light came on. This occurred beginning before thanksgiving. I received a recall notice on the vehicle earlier in November, stating these were 2 of the signs of the defective part. I called the 800 number on the recall notice and the Pontiac representative told me the repair work had not begun on the recall, the representative also told me my car was not one being recalled. I asked why I received the recall notice and she told me all Vibe owners got the notice and I would receive another notice when the parts were available. I called a local Pontiac dealership and was informed this condition was not unsafe or detrimental to the vehicle. My vehicle has not stalled, nor has the engine died. I have not driven the car of the past week - I own an extra car. I just got off the phone with the Pontiac 800 number again and after getting the same "be patient" response, I asked to speak with a supervisor - this time I was informed my car was still under powertrain warranty and should take it to the closest Pontiac dealership. My complaint is, 1) why did the first Pontiac rep. Give me the stall and delay answer before thanksgiving and I received the same answer today 12-4-10 until I spoke with a supervisor? 2) why aren't the parts available for an immediate fix if the company knows it's a defective part? I also own a 2008 Pontiac Vibe with the same recall notice that I have not experienced any problems to date. I would have taken the car in for repair before thanksgiving if I were given the correct information.

- Ft Thomas, KY, USA

problem #9

Jul 122006

Vibe

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that since the date of purchase, the check engine light illuminated periodically and when the vehicle was traveling 15 mph, it would suddenly stall. Also the engine shut off when the contact turned. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer several times but the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The dealer reset the check engine light but no remedy was able to be offered. The contact referenced recall 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) but was told by the manufacturer that it only affected vehicles with two wheel drive. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

- Brownsville, PA, USA

problem #8

Sep 062010

Vibe

  • 99,500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that as he started the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. When shifting gears, the vehicle would shift hard and would jerk abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the engine control module was replaced. The contact inquired with the manufacturer in regards to NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised by the manufacturer that her VIN was not included in the campaign. The failure mileage was 99,500.

- Farmersville, OH, USA

problem #7

Sep 142010

Vibe

  • 22,900 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and it immediately stalled. The battery was jump charged and the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic. The mechanic replaced the battery yet the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the local mechanic where a diagnostic was performed. The contact was advised that the power train control module would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacture who advised that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure and current mileage was 22,900.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #6

Sep 102010

Vibe

  • 55,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the check engine light came on and the vehicle also began shifting very hard. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the electronic control module was failing. Recall campaign number 10V387000, which was related to the electronic control module under engine and engine cooling, but the contact was told the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage and current mileages was 55500.

- Philidelphia, PA, USA

problem #5

Sep 022010

(reported on)

Vibe

  • miles
2006 Pontiac Vibe. Consumer suggests Toyota matrix and corolla recall should be extended to include his vehicle the consumer believed his vehicle shares the same power train as the matrix. The consumer stated he experienced an identical failure.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #4

Jul 202010

Vibe

  • 78,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact was driving 15 mph and attempting a left turn when the vehicle stalled without warning. Another vehicle crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. A passenger sustained a pulled muscle. A police report was available. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact stated the vehicle had stalled once before the crash, but was not taken for diagnostic testing or repairs. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.

- Superior, WI, USA

problem #3

May 222010

Vibe

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 GM Pontiac Vibe. On May 22, 2010, while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to a repair facility where the contact was informed that the failure was caused by the engine control module. The contact called the manufacturer and informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The failure and current mileage were approximately 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Bedford, NH, USA

problem #2

Mar 042010

Vibe

  • miles
My 2006 Pontiac Vibe has the same stalling problem as complaint number 10295818. I submit this complaint in light of recent Toyota corolla/matrix stalling investigation. Pontiac Vibe and Toyota matrix share many components. My Vibe is currently at colonial Buick Pontiac GMC of watertown, MA for repair on this matter.

- Jamaica Plain, MA, USA

problem #1

Nov 232009

Vibe

  • miles
O2 sensors keep failing. Had an intake replaced exactly 12months ago, check engine light came back on 4 months later, again just today. Highly irritated. Why is this car eating my O2 sensors?

- Penn Run, PA, USA

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