NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

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.

3.4

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,704 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.

2009 Pontiac Vibe engine problems

engine problem

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2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Comments

problem #4

Jun 062013

Vibe

  • 100,500 miles

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

I've had multiple faulty engine control modules in my 2009 Pontiac Vibe. It may be a coincidence, but felt it worth reporting since it may be related to NHTSA campaign 10V387000 which covered the 2005-2008 models.

- Vandergrift, PA, USA

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problem #3

Jun 212010

Vibe

  • 42,013 miles
The check engine and traction system control warning lights were coming on and off intermittently. The first repair was replacement of the PCM (computer that controls everything) due to a short. Within 2 days the warning lights again came on intermittently. After a few days of searching for the problem the dealer performing the repairs obtained info on similar reported claims from the GM company. It was found out that there is an oxygen sensor that goes bad and does not set off a warning as it should, and this again caused the PCM to again short out and need to be replaced. The dealer has been very good about finding the problems and doing the repairs; but now I am afraid to drive a car I just bought 2 months ago, for fear that the computer will again burn out and I will lose control of the vehicle!

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

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problem #2

Feb 192010

Vibe

  • 12,301 miles
2009 Pontiac Vibe. When the car is in drive and the car is stopped or nearly stopped, the engine races to 7000 RPM. This causes the vehicle to suddenly move forward into an intersection. To regain control I must shift to N and continue to apply the brakes as hard as possible. This occurs at random intervals. After I turn the engine off and back on it seems to work ok till the next time. I took the car to the dealer three times. The first and second trips to the dealer they said they found no trouble vehicle met specs. No parts replaced. The third time the dealer kept the car for two weeks, the car was returned on Feb 19 2010. The dealer performed a two modifications to the vehicle. 1. accelerator modification, and 2. they removed the driver floor mat. Today 02/22/2010 the car malfunctioned again, causing a near collision.

- St.Peters, MO, USA

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problem #1

Jun 012008

Vibe

  • 1 miles
Car is stalling on initial acceleration from stop often - especially in warm weather and city type driving.. occasionally stalls when coming to a stop. Occasionally increases RPM's randomly. These instances have caused major safety issues when navigating traffic. Below does not offer option to state this problem has been ongoing since purchase.

- San Diego, CA, USA

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