NHTSA — Structure Problems

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

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.

5.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,649 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.

2003 Pontiac Vibe body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #16

Jan 012011

Vibe 4-cyl

  • 79,000 miles

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

There was a recall to replace bolts that hold the front windows onto the door window regulator of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe. I had the bolts replaced at the dealer, so the window would not shatter while driving or fall into the door frame. Well, replacing the bolts does not prevent this from happening. The window still fell into the door frame anyway and can shatter at anytime. The plastic clips that the replacement bolt screws into breaks easily which results in either the window shattering while driving and/or falling into the door frames. Therefore, the recall did not prevent this very unsafe event from happening. Please institute a recall for the plastic clips on the front windows to solve the problem that the initital recall was supposed to have addressed, but did not.

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #15

Jul 222008

Vibe

  • 70,000 miles
My 2003 Pontiac Vibe was involved in safety recall 07273: "the bolts in the front door that attach the window to the window regulator may begin to loosen, resulting in a popping or clicking sound when the window is operated. The glass may shatter during window operation, which could cause possible injury." The date on the recall notice is may, 2008. The window on the driver's side of my vehicle was in fact making a "popping" sound when operated. I first scheduled an appt. With the Pontiac dealer (did not include name of dealer here, as instructions state not to include names) on June 20, 2008. My car was in service for 1 - 1 1/2 hours; however, when I received it back from the dealer, the window on the driver's still made the same "popping" sound when operated. The dealer agreed to look at the car again, and I took it back on July 22, 2008. The dealer claims that to fix the "popping" sound, I must pay approximately $230 for a "link" in the door. I do not believe that they in fact did anything at all to repair my car for the safety recall.

- Cedar Grove, NJ, USA

problem #14

Jun 242008

Vibe

  • 46,263 miles
Recall on Pontiac Vibe # 07273A, May 28, 2008 I own a 2003 Pontiac Vibe, which has the above recall. The recall consists of defective bolts, which attach the front door windows to the window regulator. The recall states that the defective bolts could loosen and the window may become loose and shatter. The above-mentioned problem occurred to my Vibe January 8, 2008, before the recall was announced. The glass did drop out of the track and I brought it to a dealer for repair. The window glass was scratched when the window fell from the track. I have an extended warranty and the repair was completed but the glass was not covered. In early June I received a recall note on the Vibe describing the exact problem and brought the vehicle in to have the work completed. I advised the service consultant of the previous repair and showed him the scratch in the glass. He stated that he did not think GM would pay for the glass but would ask the service manager. The manager stated I would have to call Pontiac to see if they would replace the glass. I called Pontiac (800-620-7668) and was given a case number of (71-637104061). After speaking with five different people over the course of seven days I was advised that GM would not replace the window because it did not shatter. I can provide documents and repair orders on request.

- Williamsville, NY, USA

problem #13

Aug 302003

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

I own a 2003 Pontiac Vibe GT. There is a constant problem with the visibility of the instrument panel, during sunny times wearing sunglasses and during morning and evening hours when the light sensor turns on the headlights and dims the panel lights. I should not have to struggle to read readily available information such as speed! I can't avoid driving my car in certain lightning conditions.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #12

May 302006

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I own a Pontiac Vibe, purchased new in 2003. Shortly after purchase I noticed how difficult it was to read the red lighted instrument panel on sunny days. The speedometer numbers and odometer readings are sometimes washed out on sunny days. I recently took a four thousand mile trip through the southwest, and was very concerned over my inability at times to read how fast I was going on the speedometer, and how far I was from my destination due to the difficulty reading the odometer. Trying to read this information going at speeds up to 75 miles an hour was very nerve-wracking and dangerous. The service personnel at my local Pontiac dealer said there is nothing they can do to increase the lighting on the instrument panel, adding, nobody else has complained about this. I have seen, however on one website, several complaints about this troublesome dashboard design. I am currently stuck with the vehicle and am still making payments on it. It is a nice car, but Pontiac need to redesign this instrument panel before someone is seriously injured or killed. It is the most unusual, and unsatisfactory instrumentation I have seen on a car, and I have been driving for over 56 years. By the way, I pass my Illinois driver's license vision test without the need of glasses. Thanks for reading this. Sincerely:

- Lansing, IL, USA

problem #11

Jan 182006

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 17,700 miles
: the consumer stated the dashboard lights were not bright enough during bright sunny days. The gauges were digital and unable to be read. The dealership and manufacturer determined there was no repair available since this is how the vehicle was manufactured. Updated 2/28/2006 -

- Ringwood, NJ, USA

problem #10

Dec 012002

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,444 miles

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

Dash lighting is very hard to see during bright sunny days.

- Millersville, MD, USA

problem #9

May 062004

Vibe

  • 605 miles
Instrument panel chrome plating impairs visibility when sun reflects off it.

- Clinton, IA, USA

problem #8

Jul 152003

Vibe

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,400 miles
They made the 2003 Vibe with see through plastic molding, you cant see it unless you are up close, any small thing that hits it it damages the plastic and it looks like the car is chipped severely...GM will not honor the bumber to bumper warranty for that she said thats what its there to do...how can it protect the paint if it cant protect its self....any help would be appreciated.. ron hernandez

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #7

Mar 232004

(reported on)

Vibe

  • miles
The windows didn't "wipe" clean of the rain drops when the consumer rolled them down. The rubber window guards at the bottom of the window did not wipe the window when the window was rolled down. This condition caused poor visibility out of all four windows. The vehicle is still covered under it's 36000 mile two year warranty but the dealer refused to provide any assistance.

- Kingwood, TX, USA

problem #6

Feb 042004

(reported on)

Vibe

  • Manual transmission
  • 2 miles

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

While driving sun glares on the dashboard, causing poor visibility of the speedometer and other controls on the dashboard. Dealer found no problem.

- Belleville, WI, USA

problem #5

Feb 022003

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 miles
Instrument panel is unreadable in daylight while wearing sunglasses.

- Anoka, MN, USA

problem #4

Jan 022004

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,875 miles
2003 Pontiac viber. While driving on the intersatate today at 70 mph no over hanging objects, no cars insight, sunroof explodes, showering glass on us, and startling us with loud nosie. Has anyone else experienced this. Thanks

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #3

Sep 112003

(reported on)

Vibe

  • miles
The glare from the sun causes poor visibility of the numbers on the instrument panel.

- Encinitas, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 232003

(reported on)

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, the consumer noticed the sun shine reflected on the dashboard, which resulted in poor visibility. In bright sunlight the dashboard instrument, including the speedometer, engine monitor gauges, and the radio were not visible due to the design and red illumination.

- Ludington, MI, USA

problem #1

Mar 012003

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,100 miles
I noticed my vehicle does not handle well at all in snowy weather. In 4 inches of snow I got stuck three times and finally just had to stay home. I took my vehicle to my dealer and asked about this and it was stated to me that other people had been complaining about the same issue. I am very dissatisfied by this, if I had known the vehicle handles so poorly I would have never purchased it.

- Clarkston, MI, USA

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