NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 301 owner complaints for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe. Most complaints involve air bags (174) and power train (34). The EPA rates it 25–29 mpg combined.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V285000 (Air Bags); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.”
“SEE ATTACHED. SELF EXPLANATORY, I ASKED THE REPRESENTATIVE IF THEY TURNED OFF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND RECONFIGURE THE NEW PCM AND COMPLETE THE PROGRAMING AND ACCORDING TO THE WORK ORDER, IT READS V2326 INSPECT AND REPLACE PCM (INC REPROGRAMING) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, IT HAS A CODE P0630, VIN # MISMACTH SEE THE ATTACHEMENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DELETE THE FAULT CODE.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE SPOUSE OF THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE PLACE WHERE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V387000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vibe Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,200 | 306 |
| Vibe Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 31 | 27 | $2,400 | 329 |
| Vibe Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $3,200 | 355 |
| Vibe AWD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | $2,550 | 355 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 301 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (174), power train (34), engine and engine cooling (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2005 Pontiac Vibe at 25–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).