NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine 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.

5.9

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,667 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Pontiac Vibe:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #3

Oct 272004

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

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

I have a 2003 Pontiac Vibe with 40,000 miles and the engine threw a rod. The dealership claimed that sludge in the oil caused by improper maintenance was the reason the engine failed. I believe this is the same engine that is in the Toyota vehicles that had the problem with sludge in the oil. Toyota has agreed to repair engines in Toyota's damaged by sludge in the oil. Pontiac stated they will not fix this problem. I beleive this was caused by an engine deect and is not due to poor maintenance.

- Paw Paw, MI, USA

Add Complaint
problem #2

Aug 112003

Vibe 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Hello my name is [xxx], I bought a 2003 ponitac Vibe in Dec of 02 since then I have had multiple minor problems with this car. I have been back and forth to the dealership so many times now I think that they think I work there. Since I have had this car I have had three hub caps replaced due to them turning a yellow color (from silver). The passenger seat started to tear in the seams..(I weigh 150 lb I don't think im too heavy) the seal on the drivers side window warped and had to be replaced, now the drivers side seat is starting to tear at the seams and will need to be replaced, the engine is starting to chirp like I have friggin crickets in first and second gear.....I don't know what the heck is going on with this thing but its down right annoying! I love the car its great but the constant trips to the dealer and on top of that they never once have offered to loan me a car while they fixed the defects in their products. This has been an inconvenience to me and my family. I want to know if anyone else has noticed these types of defects in their Vibe or if I got he lemon of the bunch. Please respond. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Honolulu, HI, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Dec 012002

Vibe 4-cyl

  • miles
When the brakes were depressed, the engine idled high.

- Villas, NJ, USA

Add Complaint

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

engine failure engine defect noisy engine engine knock intake manifold gasket leaking coolant oil sludge whining noise stalls while driving Dex-Cool lawsuit intake gasket leak engine complaint electrical issue heater complaint transmission complaint

Not what you are looking for?