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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags352
  2. Vehicle speed control58
  3. Steering35
  4. Engine29
  5. Electrical system18
  6. Power train13
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)9
  9. Service brakes8
  10. Engine and engine cooling8
  11. Visibility7
  12. Suspension6
  13. Wheels6
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20081
20095
201067
201113
20129
20135
201425
201522
201668
2017259
201827
201910
20206
20210
20221
20236
20242
20251
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2024Air bags, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11597438

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 24, 2023Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11518683

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2024SteeringODI 11618100

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 4, 2025EngineODI 11640704

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 29, 2023Electrical system, Air bags, StructureCrash reportedODI 11535214

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2026Power trainODI 11769567
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.