MYRModel Year Report

2009 Pontiac Vibe

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2009 Pontiac Vibe
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
527
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2009

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 2007: 171 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2009: 527 complaints 2009 527 2010: 58 complaints 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 2007: 171 complaints 2007 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 527 complaints 2009 527 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 2007: 171 complaints 2007 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 527 complaints 2009 527 2010: 58 complaints 2010 2014: 1 complaint 2014

2009: 527 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20001
20011
20021
2003298
2004266
2005301
2006177
2007171
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% · 352 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving between 50-55 MPH, the contact struck a deer. The driver's air bag failed to deploy, but the front passenger air bag deployed. The contact was not injured in the crash.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-28

Recall manufacturer failure to comply

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-07

My daughter was rear ended while she was sitting at a stop by a large vehicle going 40+ MPH and was subsequently pushed into the back of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy on contact to or by any other vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-03

Vehicle speed control

11% · 58 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was stopped in traffic at the entrance to baxter state park in Maine in August 2009. I was driving a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. When the car in front of me advanced a few feet, I touched the gas pedal lightly to move forward.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-05

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving approximately 5 MPH into her garage the vehicle accelerated although pressure was applied to the brake pedal. The vehicle crashed into the garage door and the roof collapsed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-02-04

I was driving no warnings lights to shutting down on the road to black smoke came out of the back luckily a guy was going by and helped me move my…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-06

Also filed under Engine and fuel/propulsion system

Steering

7% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and column.

Engine

6% · 29 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Without warning oil consumption went from normal to over 1 quart per 1000 miles. This is a known defect whichtoyota notified its customers of, GM choose not to notify. This excessive consumption, not leaking resulted in a seized engine.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-03-17

Service brakes

4% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2009Complaint volume 527 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2009-10-23Service brakes, hydraulic09V392000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with 1.8L engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Idaho…

    Remedy: Dealers will modify the brake vacuum line free of charge. A special advisory letter will be sent to owners of vehicles registered in all other states in the same time frame. The safety recall is…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2010-02-16Vehicle speed control10V018000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-07-20Vehicle speed control10V024000 General Motors is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Pontiac Vibe passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured…

    Remedy: General Motors will notify customers when a recall remedy is available for recall 10038: floor mat interference and accelerator pedal. GM requests that customers take out any removable (Carpeted…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
  6. R
    2012-11-05Visibility12V491000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe…

    Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2014-10-27Air bags14V168000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2015-11-25Visibility15V689000 Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4,...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2016-11-18Air bags16V340000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Scion xB and Lexus IS F, 2009-2011 Toyota Corolla and Corolla Matrix, 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris, Lexus IS250 and Lexus IS350, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, Lexus...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2017-02-01Air bags17V006000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2018-01-29Air bags18V024000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013 Scion xB, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, 4Runner, Lexus IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, IS-F, and GX460 vehicles sold, ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL,...

    Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Pontiac Vibe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 352 reports on file for this year.
  • Vehicle speed control: 58 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 35 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V392000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 10V018000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 10V024000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 12V491000 · Visibility
  • Recall 14V168000 · Air bags
  • Recall 15V689000 · Visibility
  • Recall 16V340000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V006000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V024000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Pontiac Vibe reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Pontiac Vibe is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 67% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Pontiac Vibe have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.