NHTSA — Engine Problems

2009 Pontiac Vibe (Page 1 of 2)

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:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
82,944 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

May 312023

Vibe

  • miles

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

I was driving no warnings lights to shutting down on the road to black smoke came out of the back luckily a guy was going by and helped me move my car

- Parlier, CA, USA

problem #26

Apr 242020

Vibe

  • miles
Accelerates on its own from idle or low speeds. Was recalled on 2/8/2010 #2010018..and repaired on 6/21/ 2010. Approx. 2 years ago it started to "take off again". Grand Buick... Grandville MI advised there was no current recall. I'm waiting for GM to advise of a no charge to owner recall.

- Byron Center, MI, USA

problem #25

Apr 062020

Vibe

  • 80,000 miles
I bought a 2009 Pontiac Vibe with a 2.4L engine a little over a year ago with around 80K miles. I noticed right away that it was using about a quart of oil around every 1K miles. It now has a little over 90K miles and uses about 1.25 quarts of oil per 1K miles. I found that Toyota admitted to a problem with the 2az-fe engines that are in their matrix and Camry, as well as the Pontiac Vibe, and have offered the ZE7 warranty enhancement program to replace the pistons and rings in these products to correct the excessive oil consumption issue. I contacted GM service to see if they were going to offer the same program for these engines since they purchased these defective engines from Toyota. They responded by saying that there were no open service programs open for this car. I asked them why GM wouldn't admit to the problem as Toyota did, and offer a program similar to the Toyota program to resolve the issues with this engine. They responded again by saying that there were no open service issues for this vehicle. I think it's very irresponsible of GM to not acknowledge a problem with these engines and offer the same support for them as did Toyota who supplied the engines to GM. I grew up as part of a GM family, but won't plan to buy any future GM products due to their lack of support for their customers with an obvious product quality issue as is found here. If Toyota acknowledges a problem with these engines and provides support to their customers, why doesn't GM offer similar support since Toyota supplied the identical engines to them? doesn't make for good customer public relations and doesn't provide any incentive to buy future GM vehicles.

- Corryton, TN, USA

problem #24

Oct 162019

Vibe

  • 101,200 miles

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

Due to a manufacturing defect with the engine, the vehicle burns over a quart of oil every 1000 miles. This means it requires a waiver to pass inspection. The 2009 Toyota matrix, which shares the same engine, had a recall issued. The vehicle was in motion on a highway. The check engine light and ABS warning illuminated, distracting the driver. There was no collision, but a near miss.

- Parkesburg, PA, USA

problem #23

Jan 292020

Vibe

  • 140,000 miles
This car has the 2.4L Toyota 2az-fe engine, which has a known defect in the piston rings, leading to excessive oil consumption. Those of us with Pontiac Vibes apparently have no recourse through either Toyota or GM.

- Maplewood, MO, USA

problem #22

Jan 012019

Vibe

  • 150,000 miles
2.4L engine w/ 150000 miles burning excessive amount of oil; appx. 1 qt per 1000 miles

- Flushing, MI, USA

problem #21

May 292019

Vibe

  • 170,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving between 45-50 mph, the contact lost contact of the vehicle because the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact quickly shifted into third gear, but it did not slow the vehicle down. The contact then shifted into neutral and the motor revved up to 7,000 rpms. The contact shifted back into drive, but the vehicle was still accelerating. The contact powered off the engine and coasted the vehicle into a driveway. The vehicle was restarted and the engine revved back up to 7,000 rpms. The contact powered off the vehicle a second time. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Marion, NC, USA

problem #20

Mar 082019

Vibe

  • 88,000 miles
Car shuts off completely while driving. Happens completely at random. After placing in park, removing key, re-inserting key, restarting, all is fine for a while. Probably faulty ECM.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #19

Jan 012018

Vibe

  • 95,000 miles
Pontiac Vibe with Toyota corolla 2zrfe 1.8 liter engine consuming 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Seafoam / lucas oil solution has been attempted with no positive results. Since neither Toyota nor GM will help us, I wonder how long the catalytic converter can last burning the excess oil.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #18

Jan 012015

Vibe

  • 80,000 miles
Starting about 80,000 mile my car started consuming oil of greater than 1 quart every 1000 miles. Now at 160,000 miles it consumes 1 quart every 500 miles. I have the 2.4 L 4 cylinder engine that came fairly standard with this model year. I have seen this complaint alot on web pages. My rav 4 2006 with the same engine had the same consumption problem. Toyota did an extended warranty on this problem for the rav 4 and I think GM should do the same for my vehicle. Toyota has an advisor out for the sister car the matrix for the same model year.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #17

May 172016

Vibe

  • 80,808 miles

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

Exsesive oil consumption. Motor can sieze during operation resulting in steering and braking failure.

- North Freedom, WI, USA

problem #16

Nov 032017

Vibe

  • miles
TL-contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe ----Toyota 2az engine put in Toyota--- had engine replaced --- consuming to much oil -- oil consumption design defect in engine ---bought vehicle used from GM --- contact called GM and GM stated they won't replace engine a second time....0 recalls associated with this VIN....

- Bemidji, MN, USA

problem #15

Mar 012016

Vibe

  • 90,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption

- Nesbit, MS, USA

problem #14

Feb 252017

Vibe

  • 86,500 miles
Excessive oil consumption, defective piston rings. The 2009 pointiac Vibe GT shares the same engine as the 2009 Toyota matrix. The engines were manufactured in the same plant. Toyota has issued a warranty enhancement program ' ZE7, to fix the premature wear of the defective piston rings. GM has not issued as similar fix (as of March 2017). Pontiac owners are responsible for cost of the repair.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #13

Jan 012016

Vibe

  • 150,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption, burning oil, to the extent of 8 quarts between routine oil changes

- Highland, IL, USA

problem #12

Dec 012015

Vibe

  • miles
Serious oil consumption problem, every thousand miles I am down 1 to 2 quarts of oil. I've tried different types of oil different types of treatments and I've had gaskets replaced and still consuming lots of oil. It is definitely not leaking.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

problem #11

Sep 282016

Vibe

  • 154,000 miles
My 2009 Pontiac Vibe 2.4L engine had excessive oil burning and it went from bad to worse in a matter of days. I had it looked at and the piston rings were faulty, which then led to my engine seizing, and also my seat belt buckle which connects to the seat will not latch in the drivers side in the drivers chair and and also the drivers side passenger seat which is major safety hazard. My engine was maintained every 3000 miles with oil changes and it has 154,000 miles on it.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #10

Aug 142016

Vibe

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #9

Jun 152016

Vibe

  • 55,000 miles
The check engine, stabilitrack, and vsc lights all came on at the same time. I have noticed several other postings on the internet about this problem. I have 55,000 miles on the vehicle.

- Greenville, IL, USA

problem #8

Feb 022016

Vibe

  • 134,000 miles
Without warning oil consumption went from normal to over 1 quart per 1000 miles. This is a known defect whichtoyota notified its customers of, GM choose not to notify. This excessive consumption, not leaking resulted in a seized engine. GM is not accepting any responsibility and I believe they owe me either a full repair, or pre-event market value. While they originally offered to cover 2/3 of the repair they have backed away from that offer offering a $2500 customer loyalty on a purchase, both are unsatisfactory to me, as they were made aware of the problem and chose not to notify owners. Car with passenger was in the hoa lane when engine failed causing a 7 lane transition without power. Car was towed, no crash due to the experience of the driver.

- San Marcos, CA, USA

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