2009 Pontiac Vibe
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 297 |
| 2004 | 266 |
| 2005 | 301 |
| 2006 | 177 |
| 2007 | 170 |
| 2008 | 63 |
| 2009 | 527 |
| 2010 | 58 |
| 2014 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
67% of complaints: air bags — 352 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20171228
RECALL MANUFACTURER FAILURE TO COMPLY
NHTSA ODI report, 20171107
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, 20150203
7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 39 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20100205
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 car
NHTSA ODI report, 20230906
6% of complaints: steering — 33 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: engine — 29 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow 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, 20160317
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 car
NHTSA ODI report, 20230906
4% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 19 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
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, 20100204
SAFETY TIMELINE
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, ILLINO
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 EXP
Campaign 09V392000 — check if this car was fixed
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 TH
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 BEGIN
Campaign 10V018000 — check if this car was fixed
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 OR
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, AL
Campaign 10V024000 — check if this car was fixed
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
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 vehicles
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 th
Campaign 12V491000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14V168000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 15V689000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 16V340000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V006000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V024000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Pontiac Vibe — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (352 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (39 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (33 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V392000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V018000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V024000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V491000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V168000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V689000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V340000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V006000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V024000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.