NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission 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:
15,360 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #5

Jul 132009

Vibe

  • 9,500 miles

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

I have a 2009 AWD Vibe which will, at times, upshift after braking causing the car to lurch forward for a second due to the upshift and upon taking my foot off the brake and then applying the brake again apparently does the same thing again. It only does this at about 30 to 40 miles an hour and mostly when going down a moderate hill I come upon no my way home from work. I have advised the dealer of my concerns but they seem to be unable to duplicate the problem and have no idea how to address it. The problem is concerning enough to me that I won't let anyone else drive the vehicle. I have not had the transmission reprogrammed as it doesn't seem to help from what I have read on other complaints. I have had all the other unintended acceleration issues addressed and it is not related to that problem.

- Hawley, PA, USA

problem #4

Jun 042010

Vibe

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that on June 4, 2010, while at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a wall. The contact sustained major injuries and was hospitalized. A police report was filed. The contact had previously been complaining about the transmission but the dealer refused to repair it. The contact called the manufacturer who referred her to back to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.

- Marilla, NY, USA

problem #3

Mar 172010

Vibe

  • miles
I have a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. I have noticed that the car double accelerates. When you press the accelerator it revs up and the car lurches forward. It doesn't matter how soft or hard you press. I took my car in after the recall and had the accelerator altered but I still notice the problem. I asked the dealer to check the brakes also and they said it is fine. I don't know if its an engine problem but I have always noticed it. Now that these issues have come to light I am validated that my concerns and others who have driven my car are real. I am afraid to have an incident which could potentially lead to injury or death. My five year old rides in the car on a daily basis with me. Please advise me on what to do. Thank you.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #2

Feb 102010

Vibe

  • 5,000 miles
I drive a 2009 Pontiac Vibe (essentially a Toyota matrix) and under the right circumstance the vehicle will upshift right after you put on the brake causing the vehicle to surge ahead for a moment due to the upshift. It only happens at around speed of 25-35 mph. This is obviously not a pedal issue but a transmission programming and or solenoid valve issue in the transmission. The car has been reprogrammed per the tsb for harsh shifting. I will admit that some of the harshness has gone away but the upshift issue while slowing down still remains. From what I have read many others have had this issue as well, even after the reprogramming of the transmission (check out genvibe.com, you will find other owners suffer from this as well). The issue is especially noticeable while coming down a hill and it happens to me almost daily because I go down a large hill outside of my house daily. I am very careful while going down this hill to have my foot on the brake at all times as the car can upshift at anytime causing a brief forward surge. There are always children waiting at the bottom of the hill for the school bus when I leave in the morning so I am concerned for there safety more than mine at the moment but as I said, I am always extremely aware of the issue and very careful while descending the hill. I would be willing to demonstrate this issue to anyone if needed.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

problem #1

Feb 192010

Vibe

  • 12,301 miles
2009 Pontiac Vibe. When the car is in drive and the car is stopped or nearly stopped, the engine races to 7000 RPM. This causes the vehicle to suddenly move forward into an intersection. To regain control I must shift to N and continue to apply the brakes as hard as possible. This occurs at random intervals. After I turn the engine off and back on it seems to work ok till the next time. I took the car to the dealer three times. The first and second trips to the dealer they said they found no trouble vehicle met specs. No parts replaced. The third time the dealer kept the car for two weeks, the car was returned on Feb 19 2010. The dealer performed a two modifications to the vehicle. 1. accelerator modification, and 2. they removed the driver floor mat. Today 02/22/2010 the car malfunctioned again, causing a near collision.

- St.Peters, MO, USA

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