NHTSA — Engine 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.

1.6

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
105,550 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #11

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 #10

Jul 012018

Vibe

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. While operating the vehicle, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced hard shifting and would occasionally shut off suddenly while driving. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The contact replaced several parts, including the fuel pump, fuel relay switch, spark plugs, and oxygen sensors, but the failures continued. The manufacturer and local dealer (jerry Chevrolet, 1940 E. joppa rd., parkville, md) were notified and did not assist. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V387000(engine). The failue mileage was unknown.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #9

Aug 012017

Vibe

  • miles
On the first recall for airbag I took my car to the dealership for the airbag replace and now the airbag and engine light is on all at all the time. Why?

- Isabela, PR, USA

problem #8

Sep 052016

Vibe

  • 135,000 miles

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

On two separate incidents, the engine has stalled and shut off while driving. Both times the car was coasting downhill when this happened. After pulling over and stopping, the engine restarted fine. It seems to match the description for recall 10V387000, although that was issued only for 1zz engines and this is a 2zz engine.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 142015

Vibe

  • 185,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that when the key was turned in the ignition to the on position, the engine made an abnormal noise before starting. Also, when the engine was running, the entire vehicle vibrated intensely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the service was refused. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #6

Sep 062009

Vibe

  • 40,000 miles
I have a 2005 Pontiac Vibe and since 2009 my car has been losing cooling and has a burning smell. Over the past 6 years I've taken the vehicle to numerous repair shops to resolve the issue with no results. In 2010 I there was a engine recall on this vehicle and I don't believe my car was properly serviced. Today I still have the burning smell, since the recall repair I've taken it to repair shops without results and have to refill my cooling 3 - 4 times a month. The service centers have said theirs no leak but there could be a temperature issue that burns the cooling but no one in the past 6 years has been able to fix it and the smell is getting worst.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 032015

Vibe

  • 42,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 mph, the vehicle was difficult to shift and stalled. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light illuminated.the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic control unit, the fuel pump, and the driving belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

- Los Cruces , NM, USA

problem #4

Jun 262014

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 142,000 miles
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 #3

Jan 122014

Vibe

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle jerked violently as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but recurred on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the alternator was replaced but the failure was not rectified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #2

May 132014

Vibe

  • 197,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart after stalling. The vehicle would only restart after being turned off for over an hour. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. NHTSA recall campaign id number 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) was related to the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 197,000.

- Linden, KS, USA

problem #1

Jul 052012

Vibe

  • 128,047 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired. The engine continued to stall while driving and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was informed that they would not repair the vehicle a second time under the recall. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 128,047.

- Easton, PA, USA

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