Problems · NHTSA complaints
2009 Pontiac Vibe problems
Owners filed 528 complaints about the 2009 Pontiac Vibe with NHTSA between Nov 2008 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (352).
Complaints
528
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
23
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Air bags352
- Vehicle speed control58
- Steering35
- Engine29
- Electrical system18
- Power train13
- Service brakes, hydraulic13
- Electronic stability control (esc)9
- Service brakes8
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Visibility7
- Suspension6
- Wheels6
- Visibility/wiper6
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 Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
5
67
13
9
5
25
22
68
259
27
10
6
0
1
6
2
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 67 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 25 |
| 2015 | 22 |
| 2016 | 68 |
| 2017 | 259 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 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
352 reports6 crashes4 related recalls
“I been trying to get the recalls to be fix but both the dealers and GM haven’t been able to help due to parts discontinued, I been trying to get this issued resolve for a year or so. I need help please, they just keep saying that all recalls on this vehicle don’t have the parts for it and don’t know what else to do.”
Vehicle speed control
58 reports13 crashes2 related recalls
“Accelerates on its own from idle or low speeds. Was recalled on 2/8/2010 #2010018..and repaired on 6/21/ 2010. Approx. 2 years ago it started to "take off again". Grand Buick... Grandville MI advised there was no current recall. I'm waiting for GM to advise of a no charge to owner recall.”
Steering
35 reports
“The contact called on behalf of her sister who owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while her sister was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal noise and the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The contact was notified of an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.”
Engine
29 reports1 crash
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Toyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine in my 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT suffers from excessive oil consumption due to a known piston ring defect. The rapid oil loss between changes puts the engine at risk of failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue poses a serious safety risk because: 1.Oil levels drop unpredictably, increasing the risk of sudden engine failure while driving, which could lead to accidents. 2.No dashboard warning appears when oil is low, making it difficult to detect before damage occurs. 3.Toyota acknowledged this defect under Warranty Enhancement ZE7, but Pontiac Vibe owners were excluded, despite having the same Toyota-manufactured engine. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Independent mechanics have confirmed the excessive oil consumption, consistent with the known Toyota 2AZ-FE defect. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? •Toyota…”
Electrical system
18 reports1 crash2 fires
“Air bags failed to deploy and vehicle is not available for inspection. Vehicle was a total loss and is in the proces of becoming proprty of Copart.com for auction (I assume). I hit my head very hard from the T-bone type of collision and my side airbags did not deploy. I have a severe concussion and internal brain bleed. ICU stay was required. Problem was confirmed by the police report, etc. Nothing has been inspected to the best of my knowledge in any great detail (I assume). No warning lamps, messgaes, or other symptoms prior to the failure.”
Power train
13 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving 20 MPH, the transmission was shifting rough before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle continued driving but at a reduced power. The vehicle stability control(VSC), traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: P0607 (Powertrain Control Module) was retrieved. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and advised the contact to report the failure with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.