NHTSA — Electrical System 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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,129 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.

2009 Pontiac Vibe electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #16

Jun 222023

Vibe

  • miles

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

Air bags failed to deploy and vehicle is not available for inspection. Vehicle was a total loss and is in the proces of becoming proprty of Copart.com for auction (I assume). I hit my head very hard from the T-bone type of collision and my side airbags did not deploy. I have a severe concussion and internal brain bleed. ICU stay was required. Problem was confirmed by the police report, etc. Nothing has been inspected to the best of my knowledge in any great detail (I assume). No warning lamps, messgaes, or other symptoms prior to the failure.

- Bluffton, OH, USA

problem #15

Aug 012020

Vibe

  • 130,000 miles
Pontiac Vibe 2009: On certain vehicles, due to fat misapplied the main switch to control electric window on the driver side could get stuck or stop working. If we tried to lubricate the switch may overheat and melt. A switch that could melt produce smoke and cause a fire damaging property or injuring someone. Correction: Dealers will inspect the master switch to control electric window on the driver side and apply special grease that prevents heat buildup, or replace the circuit board of the switch, if necessary. Number of vehicles affected: 16,724.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #14

Dec 102019

Vibe

  • 101,000 miles
Power window master switch failure. Shorted and caught on fire. Fire was isolated to switch and door panel, however interior of car did fill up with smoke. Power window master switch was previously addressed as per bulletin 15791A however recall did not remedy defective part/hazard.

- Alamo, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 032017

Vibe

  • 150,000 miles

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

This vehicle has had multiple recalls over the years. I have taken it to the dealer for all the recalls and trey have not done anything about this. They always tell me that they will order the parts and contact me to schedule am appointment. I need some help with this, as I feel they have no intent on addressing these issues!

- Borger, TX, USA

problem #12

Jul 072017

Vibe

  • 125,000 miles
AWD - vsc off stability indicator - traction control system tcs warning lights and check engine lights go on indicate system failure in the rain. There are numerous other people experiencing the same see [xxx] [xxx] this is in addition to the takata fix still not ready for takata air bag recall parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Hawley, PA, USA

problem #11

Jun 072017

Vibe

  • 92,690 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving various speeds, the check engine, vehicle stability control, all wheel drive, and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (jones Buick GMC truck located at 1335 manheim pike, lancaster, pa 17601; (717) 394-0711) where it was diagnosed that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology of the indoor and vehicular environment needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 888-327-4236 and advised the contact to call NHTSA. Case number: 8-3025152974 was provided. The failure mileage was 92,690.

- Peach Bottom, PA, USA

problem #10

Mar 182017

Vibe

  • 74,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving 15 mph, after opening the driver side window via the power window controls located on the driver's side door panel, smoke appeared from the door panel. There were no warning indicators illuminated. When the contact restarted the vehicle, the smoke disappeared. An independent mechanic informed the contact of a recall involving the power window control unit. The dealer removed the door panel and diagnosed that there was a fire inside of the driver side door panel. The power window control unit also needed replacement. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The contact mentioned that he did not receive the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 12V491000 (visibility). The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

- New York, NM, USA

problem #9

Jun 032014

Vibe

  • 0 miles
Purchased the 2009 vehicle used with 103,000 miles, car was decent at first.. now loss of power and the car shuts itself off constantly when going to start it. Makes a diesel sound very rough. Sometimes turns itself off more than once in one day or every other day. Garages have looked at the issue but nothing found !

- Erie, PA, USA

problem #8

Sep 252013

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 77,497 miles
The dashboard warning lights came on. The lights did not provide enough warning time to allow my husband to pull off the interstate (and turn off the car) before the engine overheated and was destroyed because of a damaged water pump. The vehicle was serviced on the same day (transmission drain/fill and tire rotation) and there was no earlier warning that there was an issue with the water pump.

- Loveland, OH, USA

problem #7

Sep 262014

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
My 2009 Pontiac Vibe base 1.4L has serious manufacturer's defect steering issues that make it feel very unsafe to drive. At low speeds there is a rattle that comes from the steering motor and intermediate shaft (2 separate issues which are expensive to fix and no longer covered under warranty) which makes the car feel like it's broken and falling apart. At highway speeds the steering is unpredictable, it overcorrects and fishtails back and forth. This car feels like a death trap, I completely regret my purchase and feel as though it is unsafe for the long term. These issues are directly related to the Toyota matrix as they were made in the same plant with the same parts.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

problem #6

Apr 012013

Vibe 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Starter grinds & whines before starting. All dash warning light come on & stay on.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #5

Mar 122014

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 74,884 miles
Received recall on above vehicle. Called dealer (smicklas) Chevrolet, told to bring vehicle in. Took vehicle in on 3-12-2009 and [xxx] (service mgr) told me they didn't have the tools to do the job and and that they had been sending Vibes to the Toyota dealership for recall repair and that otherwise he didn't know what to tell me. Told him I would call GM to see what they said. Left dealership and filed this complaint. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Piedmont, OK, USA

problem #4

Nov 122012

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 24,000 miles
I cannot roll down my windows since they are on recall since November 2012. I have to show a badge when I enter my community and must take off my seat belt and get out of the car to do so. I only received one letter and was told I would receive a second. It has now been over four months.

- Hawley, PA, USA

problem #3

Jan 222012

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles
My 2009 Pontiac Vibe is experiencing the same problems as the 2005-2008 Toyota matrix is regarding the stalling issues.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #2

Jan 152010

Vibe

  • 20,000 miles
Car has the accelerator problem and the brake problem the odometer reads that the car is traveling 50 mph and the car is really doing 42 mph, the passenger seatbelt turns off with passenger.

- Woodside, NY, USA

problem #1

Mar 102009

Vibe

  • 32,000 miles
The contact has a 2006 Pontiac Vibe that has the same problems problems as the Toyota corrolla. The Pontiac stalled while driving and the the owner had to wait 45 minutes before it could restart. The dealer fixed the problem, but the contact would like to complain that the dealer says that it was the electronic control module. There was 32000 miles when it happened and 35000 miles. The vehicle had sat for about an hour and then stopped after driving for 15 minutes at 35 miles hour.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

Not what you are looking for?