NHTSA — Power Train 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.

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,462 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #13

Nov 162019

Vibe

  • miles

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

See attached. Self explanatory, I asked the representative if they turned off check engine light and reconfigure the new PCM and complete the programing and according to the work order, it reads V2326 inspect and replace PCM (Inc reprograming) check engine light is on, it has a code P0630, VIN # mismacth see the attachement. Check engine light comes on after delete the fault code.

- Coamo, PR, USA

problem #12

Feb 152019

Vibe

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the check engine indicator illuminated when the vehicle was started. Also, while driving approximately 75 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle later restarted and was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the control module was faulty. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V285000 (air bags) by an unknown Pontiac dealer in dallas, tx two years ago. The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

- Port St Lucie, FL, USA

problem #11

Jul 012013

Vibe

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. Upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove to an independent mechanic and was informed that a torque converter sensor inside the transmission failed. There were no recalls related to the failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Montebello, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 172018

Vibe

  • 190,000 miles

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

The torque converter clutch switch is stuck off. Car is losing power not shifting up or down as it should. Oxygen sensor bank 1 says lean. Its as if its not pulling in enough air. To push power. Idles rough. Electrical issue or computer issue. Not sureas if im at stop light it shakes badly while slowing down leting off the gas. Or braking.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #9

Apr 102017

Vibe

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle failed to shift gears, including the reverse position. The vehicle was taken to the fred anderson Toyota of charleston dealer location on 2100 savannah hwy in charleston, SC where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.

- Travelers Rest, SC, USA

problem #8

Jan 012015

Vibe 4-cyl

  • miles
Transmission problem.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #7

Jun 262014

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 142,000 miles

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

2005 Pontiac Vibe with 133000mi had the PCM replaced under recall #10282 in October 2013. In June 2014, at 140000mi, the car started exhibiting the same symptoms as before the recall: Hard upshifts and stalling while shifting from reverse to drive. The engine began cutting out for <1sec during steady-state driving at highway speeds, eventually stalling completely from 60mph in traffic. The hard shifting and stalling is intermittent, though most common after driving 10min or more. While driving at constant throttle, the tachometer dives from 3K RPM to under 1K before the engine restarts. This can be felt as a harsh jolt within the car, and will kill the cruise control and radio if either of those are in use.

- Groton, NY, USA

problem #6

Mar 222014

Vibe

  • 55,000 miles
No warning lights - no problems with car - middle of intersection - very loud noise and car froze. Towed to dealer - quoted $4800 to replace transmission. No other alternative available according to dealer. Called GM who agreed transmission should not fail with a well maintained - low mileage Vibe but since there is no recall there is nothing they can do other than "support the dealer's decisions." I expected this car to last for several more years. The trade in price is not much more than this repair price. Driver was on their way to the highway and if this would have happened a few miles beyond where it did there could have been fatal consequences. With the current ignition recall issue that GM handled so poorly I am concerned that there could be an issue here that they just don't want to look at.

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #5

Aug 022011

Vibe 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the torque converter, PCM and valve body needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who then stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was unknown. Updated 11/14/12 the consumer stated the vehicle was serviced on recall but, the failure continued. Updated 11/16/2012

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #4

Sep 052011

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
The 5-speed manual transmission failed at approximately 103000 miles. Likely cause was failure of an output shaft bearing. Symptoms of failure began at approximately 90000 miles, which included a vibration in the shifter handle and slight buzzing noise. The noise progressively got louder and more frequent until I had it replaced at 103000 miles. Had I not noticed the cause of the noise, the bearing may have failed while driving, which may have caused the transmission to lock up.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

problem #3

Mar 242011

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs. The contact stated that the dealer replaced the power train control module instead of the ECM as stated in the recall. After repairs, the vehicle would shutter and shake abnormally and often times, would stall when shifting from reverse to drive with the illumination of the entire instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was advised that the transmission would need replacing. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was informed that they could make one repair under the recall and any further repairs would be at his expense. The contact stated that he believed that the initial repair performed on the vehicle was not the repair that should have been completed under the recall. The failure and current mileage was 150,000. Updated 5/9/11 updated 05/16/11

- Frenchville, IN, USA

problem #2

Aug 012010

Vibe

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle power train module was defective. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they were unable to locate the parts needed to repair the vehicle, stating that they were no longer being manufactured. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated that they were aware of the problem but they were not offering any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.

- Lissie, TX, USA

problem #1

Sep 162009

Vibe

  • 105,000 miles
Hard shifts, bad gas mileage, and the dummy light stays on. New PCM part is only available at dealership.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

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