2009 Pontiac Vibe Problems and Repair Histories
2009 Pontiac Vibe problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Pontiac Vibe
2009 Pontiac Vibes for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2009 Pontiac Vibe problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2009 Pontiac Vibe problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2009 Pontiac Vibe problems and repair histories that follow it.
Pontiac Vibe Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2009 | Pontiac Vibe | 66 Vibes, 9.6 months of data per Vibe, average 45500 miles8 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
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see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten 2009 Pontiac Vibe problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
158-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Pontiac Vibe in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 33000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 38000 | 0 | Oil, filter, tire rotation. |
| Dec | 2012 | 45000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 31000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2010 | 32000 | 0 | Automobile gas pedal is tight and results in surging when pressed on other than very carefully. Especially dangerous when backing. Dealer said "there was nothing they could do, they all did that." |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 6000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 13300 | 0 | Part of Toyota recall: Shim/sleeve added to accelerator pedal & removal of driver side floor mats. NOTE: Have not experienced any unintended acceleration or intrusion by floor mats. I have had a second floor mat since Nov 2008 when I initially got the car |
| Dec | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Pontiac Vibe in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2008 | 1000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2008 | 2000 | 0 | Center wheel caps on alloy wheels fell out. |
| Dec | 2008 | 3000 | 0 | Short in dome light/sun roof switch unit. |
| Feb | 2010 | 24000 | 0 | paint chips caused by spoiler seals positioned wrong |
| May | 2012 | 82000 | 180 | Corroding sunroof frame Doing an oil consumption check because of increased oil consumption. |
| Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2012 | 38440 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2012 | 49600 | 700 | Steering column requires replacement. Rattle from column at low speeds when going over rough pavement. GM will cover part of cost even after warranty expired. |
| Pontiac Vibe in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2008 | 0 | Speedometer not correct. Off by 4MPH at 65. At 65MPH you are going 56MPH. No repair done. Factory says that it is within tolerance...... | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2008 | 5580 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 27900 | 0 | Clunking in the steering column . |
| May | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Pontiac Vibe in West Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2009 | 1000 | 0 | Interior trim below "B" pillar was pulled away from the door frame. On both sides. |
| Nov | 2011 | 17000 | 0 | Interior trim panels at "B" pillar (covers seat belt storage from door sill up to where belt comes out of "B" pillar) replaced on both sides due to poor fit. Right front interior door panel (where glass goes down into door) had abnormal wear/loss of finish. This was near rear of door panel where if the window was down, your elbow might rest. Right side tire kept leaking (slow) air. They took off tire & found corrosion on wheel. They cleaned wheel, sealed rim & remounted. |
| Apr | 2012 | 20000 | 0 | Rpl. driver side threshold plastic trim(that you step over to sit behind the wheel). Clip that held plastic part in place was broken. Had ordered part a few days prior. Everything under warranty. |
| Mar | 2013 | 25000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2008 | 620 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2009 | 4960 | 0 | Harsh downshift when coming to a stop |
| Mar | 2013 | 27900 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Saskatchewan, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2009 | 0 | The following service is required for 09 Vibe with 5sp Auto: Harsh Transmission Downshift When Stopping After Transaxle Has Upshifted to 4th or 5th Gear. Reprogramming PCM will fix the issue. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2009 | 1000 | 0 | A surge when downshifting. I took it in to have the first TSB performed. It changed the problem a little, but didn't make it better. I took my Vibe to the dealer to have TSB #2 performed to correct the surge problem. It seems to have made it better, but did not eliminate it. |
| Oct | 2010 | 4000 | 0 | The lighter didn't work - wouldn't stay in when pushed in. They repaired the part that is supposed to hold in the lighter when it's pushed. |
| Mar | 2013 | 9000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 33000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2010 | 36000 | 0 | Center cap on alloy wheel fell off. A TSB was released for this problem last year. Center caps needed to be replaced. |
| Jan | 2011 | 50300 | 0 | Noise in front end diagnosed as a worn bearing on strut tower. $700 to fix was not worth the elimination of a minor noise. |
| Mar | 2011 | 53000 | 0 | Check engine light and VSC dash warning light went on. Dealer stated the trouble code was for a small evaporation leak. A TSB instructed the tech to reflash the PCM which cleared the trouble code. |
| Mar | 2013 | 85000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 4000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2009 | 11000 | 0 | Back panel on hatchback was cracked--they replaced without any trouble |
| May | 2010 | 18000 | 0 | Radio quit working properly--they replaced immediately |
| Jun | 2011 | 34000 | 0 | Radio volume button stopped working--this is the second new radio for same problem |
| Oct | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
158-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Pontiac Vibe in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2009 | 5000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2012 | 27000 | 0 | housing of thermostat-covered under gm warranty on powertrain-included 2 day free car rental. |
| Mar | 2013 | 32000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 13640 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2013 | 72540 | 160 | The light came on to indicate a problem with the ECM. Took it in to the dealer for a diagnostic, and they had to update the module. |
| Mar | 2013 | 80600 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2011 | 34000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2012 | 46300 | 0 | Sun roof drain tube plugged |
| Mar | 2013 | 65000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
158-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 59520 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 65720 | 0 | All four wheel bearings were making noise and were replaced by GM under warranty. |
| Mar | 2013 | 88660 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
132-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Pontiac Vibe in Indiana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 5000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 31000 | 0 | Big plastic shield under motor, under car, keeps coming loose and dragging on the road. |
| Mar | 2013 | 37000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 9920 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 21080 | 0 | The only issue I have with the Vibe is a clunk or knocking sound coming from under the dash area. This is only heard at low speeds when I hit bumps in the road. I have not brought it in to the dealer for any service or recall work. |
| Apr | 2012 | 22940 | 0 | To expand on the original complaint about a knocking sound from behind the instrument cluster: On the Vibe owners forum it appears to be a relatively well known issue. The knocking sound is the steering column. |
| Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2009 | 6000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 19000 | 0 | fix dead spot in accelerator pedal operation, partially successful. |
| Sep | 2011 | 24000 | 240 | Jammed calipers. New rear pads, resurfaced rotors. Dirt in rad clips, did not allow pads to disengage. |
| Mar | 2013 | 50000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Pontiac Vibe in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 14000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 15000 | 0 | The steering wheel linkage was defective. Part was orderded and was on a two week back-order from OEM. |
| Nov | 2009 | 17000 | 0 | Steering linkage replaced at dealership. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Pontiac Vibe in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2013 | 64000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 65000 | 0 | Timing Gear actuator issue with Corolla engines. Actuator was replaced to stop the grinding noise at start up. |
| Mar | 2013 | 66000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2009 | 0 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 26000 | 0 | VOL knob "broke" so volume could not be adjusted, but ON/OFF "push-button" action was still working. The "radio manufacturer" demanded the radio be "reprogrammed" BEFORE they'd send a replacement, even though... |
| Mar | 2013 | 29000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Pontiac Vibe in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2013 | 81000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2013 | 81000 | 0 | Click in front brakes when stopping while backing up. |
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 52000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 53000 | 182 | hood release broke and could not open hood. Dealer said grill would have to be broken to access and fix. While waiting for parts hood released. Repair not as much as quoted, but broke again within a week. |
| Jan | 2012 | 54000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
Expert 2009 Pontiac Vibe Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2009 Pontiac Vibe
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