Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Pontiac Vibe problems
Owners filed 177 complaints about the 2006 Pontiac Vibe with NHTSA between Jan 2006 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (119).
Complaints
177
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags119
- Engine and engine cooling20
- Power train12
- Electrical system11
- Engine10
- Vehicle speed control6
- Visibility4
- Visibility/wiper2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Service brakes2
- Seat belts2
- Structure2
- Tires2
- Seats1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
4
9
20
7
2
1
5
51
16
3
3
13
36
1
0
1
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 9 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 16 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 36 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
119 reports3 crashes4 related recalls
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE CHEVROLET (8585 W 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487, (708) 429-3000) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,350.”
Engine and engine cooling
20 reports1 crash1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND BACK FIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V387000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000. MA 09/25”
Power train
12 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY SHIFT AND A FAULTY START. THERE WAS AN ERROR CODE: P0741. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.”
Electrical system
11 reports
“I had my valve cover gasket replaced fuel injectors serviced and transmission serviced on 12/26/2022. When I picked my car up on 12/29/2022, I was checking my brake lights when the car started Idling up and down on it's own and the check engine light came on. I called the dealer and was asked to bring the car in and they would check it out. I returned on Jan. 2nd 2023 to address the concerns with my car. I arrived at approximately 0730 am. I WAS IN FORMED THAT MY ECM/PCM WERE FAULTY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I was my understanding that the 2005-2008 Pontiac Vibes were under recall for this issue. Would like confirmation on this subject. Concerned Owner.”
Engine
10 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY STOPPING OPERATION WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HOWEVER, DESPITE EACH REPAIRS, THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD RETURN. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”
Vehicle speed control
6 reports3 crashes
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND DURING ENGAGEMENT. THE VEHICLE SPEED BEGAN TO INCREASE AND IT WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN; SUDDENLY AN OPPOSING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH CAUSED THE RADIATOR HOSE TO BURST. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED WITH NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER A MANUFACTURERS VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,236. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.