MYRModel Year Report

2008 Pontiac Vibe

▲ Better than typical
2008 Pontiac Vibe
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:12:40.301Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Pontiac Vibe Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2008 highlighted. 2000: 1 complaints 2000 2001: 1 complaints 2002: 1 complaints 2002 2003: 297 complaints 2004: 266 complaints 2004 2005: 301 complaints 2006: 177 complaints 2006 2007: 170 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 527 complaints 2010: 58 complaints 2010 2014: 1 complaints 2014
2008: 63 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20001
20011
20021
2003297
2004266
2005301
2006177
2007170
200863
2009527
201058
20141

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 76%

76% of complaints: air bags — 48 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH WITH A SEMI TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090227

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. ON APRIL 22, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080513

2008 PONTIAC VIBE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

NHTSA ODI report, 20191118

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

ONE MILE INTO COMMUTE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DIDN'T RESPOND AFTER STOPPING, THEN SUDDENLY RESPONDED CAUSING CAR TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. REPEATED TWICE BEFORE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130909

STEERING 3%

3% of complaints: steering — 2 distinct reports on file.

SEAT BELTS 3%

3% of complaints: seat belts — 2 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. ON APRIL 22, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR BY ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080513

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3%

3% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 2 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20100818 — EA (closed 20100916)

Engine Stall

R 20110208 — engine and engine cooling

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 IMPR

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 CONTAC

Campaign 10V387000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160325 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota...

Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners.

Campaign 16V127000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160325 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota...

Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners.

Campaign 16V128000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191018 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V627000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2008 Pontiac Vibe — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V127000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V128000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V627000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2007 ▲ 2006

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ◆ 2005 ◆ 2003

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2008 Pontiac Vibe reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Pontiac Vibe is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 76% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2008 Pontiac Vibe have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.