2006 Pontiac Vibe

▲ Better than typical
2006 Pontiac Vibe
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:45:35.303Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
177
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 2006

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

67% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 1 complaint 2002: 1 complaint 2002 2003: 298 complaints 2004: 266 complaints 2004 2005: 301 complaints 2006: 177 complaints 2006 177 2007: 172 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 527 complaints 2010: 58 complaints 2010 2014: 1 complaint
2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 1 complaint 2001 2002: 1 complaint 2002 2003: 298 complaints 2003 2004: 266 complaints 2004 2005: 301 complaints 2005 2006: 177 complaints 2006 177 2007: 172 complaints 2007 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 527 complaints 2009 2010: 58 complaints 2010 2014: 1 complaint 2014
2000: 1 complaint 2000 2001: 1 complaint 2001 2002: 1 complaint 2002 2003: 298 complaints 2003 2004: 266 complaints 2004 2005: 301 complaints 2005 2006: 177 complaints 2006 177 2007: 172 complaints 2007 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 527 complaints 2009 2010: 58 complaints 2010 2014: 1 complaint 2014

2006: 177 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20001
20011
20021
2003298
2004266
2005301
2006177
2007172
200863
2009527
201058
20141

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

67% · 119 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Takata recall

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-20

Also filed under Visibility/wiper

Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. While driving approximately 20 MPH on a wet road down a hill, the contact hit a wet patch of road. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a guardrail.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-06-14

Also filed under Seats

I was driving my 2006 Pontiac Vibe south on interstate 79 in rural pennslvania when the brakes soundly failed to respond. I stepped on the peddle but the car failed to slow, and the cruise control failed to disengage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-05-15

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic and vehicle speed control

Engine and engine cooling

11% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHINJURY

Power train

7% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and automatic transmission.

Electrical system

6% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing ignition.

Engine

6% · 10 reports

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2010-08-18Engineering analysisClosed 2010-09-16 Engine Stall
  2. R
    2011-02-08Engine and engine cooling10V387000 GM is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The engine control module (ECM) for the subject models equipped with the 1ZZ-fe (Lv6) engine and two-wheel drive may have been…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ECM and replace the ECM if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on February 8, 2011. Owners may…

  3. R
    2015-07-13Air bags15V285000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March...

    Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

  4. R
    2015-07-13Air bags15V286000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally...

    Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed.

  5. R
    2019-01-23Air bags18V883000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.

  6. R
    2019-10-18Air bags19V627000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

  7. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Pontiac Vibe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 119 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 20 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 10V387000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 15V285000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V286000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V883000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V627000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2006 Pontiac Vibe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Pontiac Vibe is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Vibe?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 67% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Pontiac Vibe have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.