2003 Pontiac Vibe Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOWER THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW, IT SOUNDED LIKE GRINDING GLASS. THE SAME NOISE OCCURRING WHEN RAISING THE WINDOW BACK UP. THE CONTACT HAD THE WINDOW SWITCH DISCONNECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5058739349. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 208,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY DISLODGED AND COLLAPSED INWARD. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PLASTIC CLIPS USED TO SECURE THE WINDOW FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BECOME UNSECURED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

The 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe was manufactured by Toyota and is for all intent and purposes is a 2003 Toyota Matrix. The 2003-04 Pontiac Vibe should be included in the "Do not drive" advisory issued by Toyota 20 Jan 30th 2024. Only the body is different than the Toyota Matrix and everything internal is the same. Please do not let this model fall through the cracks. January 30, 2024, Toyota issued a "do not drive" advisory for certain 2003–2005 car models due to concerns about their Takata airbags: 2003–2004 Corolla 2003–2004 Corolla Matrix 2004–2005 RAV4 The company says the Corolla and Matrix models are under a separate recall because their airbags can be deployed without a crash. The Takata air bag inflators are at risk of exploding and hurling shrapnel. Customers can check if their Toyota has a recall at www.toyota.com/recall or by contacting the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

I HAVE A2003 PONTIAC VIBE WHICH HAD ATAKATA RECALL. IN JANUARY 2020, I TOOK THE CAR TO A GM DEALER CALLED"QUALITY BUICK GMC OF ENGLEWOOD" LOCATED AT"406 GRAND AVE ENGLEWOOD NJ 07631 US" TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. SINCE THE DAY OF THE REPAIR THE LID ON TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD HAD POPPEDUP AND DID NOT CLOSE FULLY. THAT IS WHERE THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG IN THE UPPER LEFT OF THE DASHBOARD IS LOCATED.I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST A COSMETIC ISSUE THAT COULD BE IGNORED. THE CAR STARTEDMAKING INTERMITTENTNOISES SIMILAR TO A CLOCK SOUND SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I HAVE RARELY DRIVEN THE CAR DUE TO THE PANDEMIC SINCE THE REPAIR WAS DONE. BUT RECENTLY THE NOISE HAS BECOME STEADY. I HAD MY MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN TOYOTA CARS CHECK THE CAR IN APRIL 2021. MY MECHANIC HAPPENS TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TAKATA AIRBAG ISSUE. HE SAYS THAT THE AIRBAG REPAIR DONE ON THE CAR IN 2020 IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THAT IS TO SAY MY CAR WAS MESSED UP AS A RESULT OF THIS SO CALLED RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER NOW REFUSES TO CHECK THE CAR TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE RECALL REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE CORRECTLY.

2003 PONTIAC VIBE 5-SPEED. TRANSMISSION BEARINGS FAILED, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GRIND ITSELF UP AND STRAND THE CAR. FLUID CHANGED EVERY 30K MILES. FIRST TRANSMISSION DIED AT 70K MILES AND THE SECOND ONE NOW DIED AT 110K MILES. THIRD TRANSMISSION GETTING INSTALLED TO CORRECT A FAULTY DESIGN. BUYING A BRAND NEW ONE THIS TIME AND IT HAS COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS SO FAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/13/10

The secondary safety hood latch failed causing the hood to fly up and shatter the windshield while also obstructing visibility on the road. The complete obstruction of the windshield presented a dangerous situation putting myself and others at risk of death of severe injury. In addition this caused glass shards to enter the driver/passenger compartment if the vehical further presenting risk to the occupants. The secondary hood latch mechanism appears to be extremely rusted and stuck in the "open" position. I am aware the NHTSA has issued a recall for a similar defect in the past (Nissan affecting 1.9 million vehicles).

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW POPS WHEN GOING DOWN AIR RECIRCULATION LOWER MOTOR NOT OPERATING PROPERLY DOES THIS ALL THE TIME ITSEEMS LIKE THE WINDOW IS GOING TO SHATTER

BLOWER MOTOR NOT CLOSING OR OPENING ALL THE WAY MAKES NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN RECIRCULATION IS ENGAUGED COMES RIGHT BACK WHEN TURNED OFF

I RECENTLY FOUND OUT FROM OTHER PONTIAC VIBE AND TOYOTA MATRIX OWNERS THAT THE ODOMETER STOPS RECORDING AT 299,999 MILES...THIS WAS A FACTORY GOOF AND QUITE A FEW PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO GET WITH THEIR MANUFACTURER ABOUT IT AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED/ODOMETER REFLASHED AT OWNERS EXPENSE...WE KNOW THAT THE OTHER VEHICLES THAT ARE BEING DRIVEN TODAY, THEIR ODOMETER CAN MAX OUT AT 999,999 MILES...IN MOST TO ALL STATES, IT IS ILLEGAL TO ALTER THE ODOMETER IN ANY WAY AND SHOULD HAVE CORRECT MILEAGE STATED EVERY TIME WE RENEW OUR REGISTRATION, BUT HOW CAN WE WHEN THEIR IS STILL ALOT OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, BUT CANNOT TRULY ADDRESS THEIR CORRECT MILEAGE BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER PROGRAMMED THE ODOMETER INCORRECTLY....PLEASE OPEN A CASE AND CONSIDER A RECALL TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURER FIX THEIR PROBLEM....THANK YOU

DASH LIGHTS GO OUT THEN COME BACK ON AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME

I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECALLS ON THE AIRBAG FOR THIS VEHICLE. AFTER WE GOT THE LAST RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE COMPLETED, ABOUT 3 WEEKS LATER THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG CAME ON AND DOES NOT GO OUT. THE OWNER MANUAL TELLS ME THIS IS A DANGER AND THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND MULTIPLY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THEM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING THEY DID. NOW THEY WANT $1000 TO FIX THE ISSUE. SOUND BOGEYS TO ME> I DO NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS BUT I DO HAVE MY PAPER WORK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY DISABLING THE BRAKES. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS RUBBER BURNING FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,217.

I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION ON MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE AND I WAS LEAVING MY PLACE OF BUSINESS A FEW DAYS AFTER THE PROBLEM STARTED AND MY RPMS DROPPED TO 0 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND THEN IT SEEMED TO OF "CAUGHT" AND I DROVE TO WHERE I NEEDED TO GO, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP AND ONCE IT TURNED OFF IT WOULDN'T RESTART. THEY SEEMED TO THINK IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE I ORIGINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE 6 MONTHS AGO SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO I DID AND THEY AGREED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NOT STARTING THEY TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND AFTER IT SAT THERE FOR 3 WEEKS LEAVING ME WITHOUT A CAR , I WAS THEN TOLD IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER FOR THE CAR AND WILL COST ME $1100 TO FIX. HOWEVER I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. HOWEVER I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY CAR AND ONE OF THE 3 RECALLS IS FOR THE ECM. ISN'T THAT THE SAME AS THE 'MAIN COMPUTER' IN THE CAR AND SHOULDN'T THE DEALER FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE AND BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS. SO NOW I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR A MONTH FOR WHAT SHOULD OF BEEN FIXED BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS 2003 PONTIAC VIBE FOR $4000 ON 7/27/2013 FROM 49TH STREET AUTO SALES & REPAIR. THIS CAR HAD INCORRECT ENGINE INSTALLED. VIN: [XXX] WAS INSTALLED WHEN I PURCHASED. GM DEALER VERIFIED THE ENGINE VIN # IS FROM A 2007 PONTIAC VIBE 4 CYL 1.8 L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ENGINE. NOT A 16 VALVE 6 SPEED VEHICLE. THEREFORE THERMOSTAT SENSOR CAN'T BE ATTACHED, TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR RADIATOR CAN'T BE ATTACHED, ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN DISABLED AND TRANSMISSION ERRORS CAN'T BE CORRECTED. WARNING ASK OWNER WHY HE THIS VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED TO HAVE A 4 CYLINDER TOYOTA CELICA GT-S MOTOR INSTALLED. PER MECHANIC ([XXX]) INSPECTION MY SON WAS ASSURED BY HIM IT ONLY HAD 900 MILES ON IT. IT DID NOT AFTER $1241.20 IN REPAIRS JUST TO MAKE IT SAFE TO DRIVE AFTER THE AXLE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION AT 70 MPH. I'M FROM MICHIGAN AND DROVE THIS DEATH TRAP OF A CAR HOME WITH INTENSE SHAKING ON FRONT RIGHT BECAUSE AXLE WASN'T EVEN ATTACHED. MY MECHANIC HAD TO WELD THE AXLE. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM GM STATING THIS ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED INTO THIS VEHICLE. VIDEO FROM MECHANIC WHO IDENTIFIED ENGINE VIN DETAILING ALL PROBLEMS. I RECEIVED A REFUND FROM THIS DEALER THROUGH MEDIATION WITH CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY OF PINELLAS COUNTY. THIS DEALER IS TRYING TO SELL THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE AGAIN! .49THSTREETAUTOSALES.COM/VIEW/1427/TAN-2003-PONTIAC-VIBE-IN-CLEARWATER-FL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION ON MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE AND I WAS LEAVING MY PLACE OF BUSINESS A FEW DAYS AFTER THE PROBLEM STARTED AND MY RPMS DROPPED TO 0 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH AND THEN IT SEEMED TO OF "CAUGHT" AND I DROVE TO WHERE I NEEDED TO GO, I TOOK MY CAR TO THE SHOP AND ONCE IT TURNED OFF IT WOULDN'T RESTART. THEY SEEMED TO THINK IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT BACK TO WHERE I ORIGINALLY GOT THE VEHICLE 6 MONTHS AGO SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SO I DID AND THEY AGREED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP THEY CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP AND WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NOT STARTING THEY TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND AFTER IT SAT THERE FOR 3 WEEKS LEAVING ME WITHOUT A CAR , I WAS THEN TOLD IT WAS THE MAIN COMPUTER FOR THE CAR AND WILL COST ME $1100 TO FIX. HOWEVER I STILL DON'T HAVE MY CAR BACK SINCE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. HOWEVER I JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY CAR AND ONE OF THE 3 RECALLS IS FOR THE ECM. ISN'T THAT THE SAME AS THE 'MAIN COMPUTER' IN THE CAR AND SHOULDN'T THE DEALER FIXED IT AT NO CHARGE AND BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS. SO NOW I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR A MONTH FOR WHAT SHOULD OF BEEN FIXED BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE OVERDRIVE FEATURE FAILED TO DISENGAGE ON COMMAND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,334.

WHILE DRIVING HOME ON THE EXPRESSWAY (DURING RUSH HOUR) AT AROUND 65 MPH THERE WAS A SUDDEN EXTREMELY LOUD NOISE. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT THIS WAS AND LOOKED AROUND THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUNROOF HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED. IT BEING MICHIGAN AND IN THE 30'S IT HAS BEEN CLOSED THE ENTIRE SEASON. I WAS NOT DRIVING NEAR OR UNDER AN OVERPASS AT THE TIME SO I DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING WAS DROPPED ON IT. AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I DISCOVERED I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS HAD THIS HAPPENED TO THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SAFETY RECALL (07273) WITH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS AS THEY WOULD SUDDENLY BREAK AS WELL. THIS SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. COULD THIS BE RELATED? *TR

MARCH 12, 2011 THE MAIN HOOD LATCH FAILED TO MAINTAIN A LATCH LOCK ON A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE WHILE VEHICLE WAS MERGING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE SAFETY CATCH FAILED TO "CATCH" AND THE HOOD OPENED. THIS ACTION PREVENTED THE DRIVER FROM SEEING THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A SAFE STOP. *TR

2003 PONTIAC VIBE. UNIT #1 WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE AT MILE POST 90 IN THE CENTER LANE. #1'S RIGHT TIRE FAILED CAUSING #1 TO SPIN OUT, DRIVING OFF RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD BACKWARDS AND SIDE SWIPED THE GUARDRAIL. *LN ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SIDE WALL WAS BLOWN OUT WITH WIRES PROTRUDING FROM A HOLE. NO DEBRIS WAS STRUCK IN THE ROAD. THE TIRE FAILED WHILE IN OPERATION. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0384-90)*JB

2003 PONTIAC VIBE SUFFERED A TIRE BLOWOUT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRE BLOWOUT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPOERT # 10-0345-78. *JB

BUCKLE CAME UNLATCHED AND LATCH WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL DRIVER AND PASSENGER

BUCKLE CAME UNLATCHED AND LATCH WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL

THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCED RESULTED IN A CRASH, ALTHOUGH THE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AND IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES (SEEMS LIKE A HYDRAULIC ISSUE?). THE ENGINE DOESN'T CUT OFF. YOU CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE AND STEERING FEEL IS RESTORED. WHEN POWER IS LOST TO THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER. NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED, BUT OCCASIONALLY, WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH THE FOOT ON THE CLUTCH, THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS, AND THEN OF COURSE, YOU LOSE ALL POWER. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD A SLOW SPEED CRASH WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS WEEK WHERE THIS VERY INFREQUENT, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS IS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT PURCHASED JULY 31, 2002. THE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ONLY A FEW TIMES OVER THE ALMOST 90,000 MILES BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR US, THE POWER STEERING FAILURE THIS TIME RESULTED IN A CRASH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE ENGINE GENERALLY DOES NOT STALL BUT YOU ARE PUT IN A VERY SCARY SITUATION. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE IN CLEVELAND, OH WHEN THE BRAKES AND STEERING SUDDENLY WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. I HAD NO INDICATION WHATSOEVER THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE POLICE AGREED WITH ME THAT I WAS NOT AT FAULT AND IT WAS THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOT CITED. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS CUT OFF ON AN EXIT RAMP ON 62EAST. WHEN HE CRASHED HE HIT A TREE HEAD ON CAUSING THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AND CUT OPEN HIS HEAD. HE STILL HAS PAIN AND ISSUES WITHIN HIS ACCIDENT AREA AND I THINK THIS IS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG RECALLS AND FEEL THAT IF THERE ARE CONTINUOUS CHECKS AND ISSUES THAT WE SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN ANY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COMPANY FOR THE NEGLIGENCE UPON THE ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAG. *TR

THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCED RESULTED IN A CRASH, ALTHOUGH THE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AND IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES (SEEMS LIKE A HYDRAULIC ISSUE?). THE ENGINE DOESN'T CUT OFF. YOU CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE AND STEERING FEEL IS RESTORED. WHEN POWER IS LOST TO THE STEERING WHEEL, THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER. NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED, BUT OCCASIONALLY, WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH THE FOOT ON THE CLUTCH, THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS, AND THEN OF COURSE, YOU LOSE ALL POWER. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAD A SLOW SPEED CRASH WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS WEEK WHERE THIS VERY INFREQUENT, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS IS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT PURCHASED JULY 31, 2002. THE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ONLY A FEW TIMES OVER THE ALMOST 90,000 MILES BUT UNFORTUNATELY FOR US, THE POWER STEERING FAILURE THIS TIME RESULTED IN A CRASH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE ENGINE GENERALLY DOES NOT STALL BUT YOU ARE PUT IN A VERY SCARY SITUATION. *TR

I PURCHASED THIS 2003 PONTIAC VIBE FOR $4000 ON 7/27/2013 FROM 49TH STREET AUTO SALES & REPAIR. THIS CAR HAD INCORRECT ENGINE INSTALLED. VIN: [XXX] WAS INSTALLED WHEN I PURCHASED. GM DEALER VERIFIED THE ENGINE VIN # IS FROM A 2007 PONTIAC VIBE 4 CYL 1.8 L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ENGINE. NOT A 16 VALVE 6 SPEED VEHICLE. THEREFORE THERMOSTAT SENSOR CAN'T BE ATTACHED, TEMPERATURE SENSOR FOR RADIATOR CAN'T BE ATTACHED, ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN DISABLED AND TRANSMISSION ERRORS CAN'T BE CORRECTED. WARNING ASK OWNER WHY HE THIS VEHICLE WAS ADVERTISED TO HAVE A 4 CYLINDER TOYOTA CELICA GT-S MOTOR INSTALLED. PER MECHANIC ([XXX]) INSPECTION MY SON WAS ASSURED BY HIM IT ONLY HAD 900 MILES ON IT. IT DID NOT AFTER $1241.20 IN REPAIRS JUST TO MAKE IT SAFE TO DRIVE AFTER THE AXLE SHAFT FELL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION AT 70 MPH. I'M FROM MICHIGAN AND DROVE THIS DEATH TRAP OF A CAR HOME WITH INTENSE SHAKING ON FRONT RIGHT BECAUSE AXLE WASN'T EVEN ATTACHED. MY MECHANIC HAD TO WELD THE AXLE. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION FROM GM STATING THIS ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED INTO THIS VEHICLE. VIDEO FROM MECHANIC WHO IDENTIFIED ENGINE VIN DETAILING ALL PROBLEMS. I RECEIVED A REFUND FROM THIS DEALER THROUGH MEDIATION WITH CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY OF PINELLAS COUNTY. THIS DEALER IS TRYING TO SELL THIS DANGEROUS VEHICLE AGAIN! .49THSTREETAUTOSALES.COM/VIEW/1427/TAN-2003-PONTIAC-VIBE-IN-CLEARWATER-FL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES FOR A STOP LIGHT, THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER UNDER THE ENGINE, TO WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS ATTACHED, FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CROSS MEMBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

BEGAN NOTICING STRONG GAS SMELL IN GARAGE, TOOK CAR TO SHOP TO CHECK WHAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE A GAS LINE LEAKING AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TANK WAS FULL OF RUST AND ROTTING. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE TANK WITH A USED TANK AND TOOK THE ROTTING TANK HOME WITH THE THOUGHT OF PLACING A COMPLAINT WITH GM. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THE ROTTING WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL ON A TANK THAT WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. GM REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE TANK AND OFFERED OIL CHANGES, SAYING THIS COULD HAPPEN BECAUSE OF THE WINTER CONDITIONS THAT WE DRIVE IN. MY 2 YEAR OLDER AZTEK SITS NEXT TO IT IN THE GARAGE AND TANK LOOKS MUCH BETTER. *TR

SMELL OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHAMIC, HE SAID, FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING. DO NOT KNOW OPERATING FUEL PRESSURE, FINE SPRAY COULD CAUSE ENGINE FIRE, POSSIBLE AFTER THIS MANY MILES, METAL FATIGE,THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ALL VIBE'S MECHANIC HAS NOT GIVEN FULL EVALUATION OF TROUBLE. WHICH PARTS NEEDED. *JB

AFTER HAVING THE RECALL DONE ON MY 2003 VIBE, FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF BOLTS IN THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM. IN AUGUST I AGAIN BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOUD CRACKING NOISES AND SCREECHING UPON OPERATION OF THE WINDOWS. I WAS TOLD TO RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED THE RECALL TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THEY EXAMINED THE WINDOWS AND THE MECHANICS HEARD THE NOISES BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE. THEY LUBRICATED THE MECHANISM, FOR WHICH I HAD TO PAY,AND SAID I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY FURTHER PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF I DID HAVE ANY MORE TROUBLE THE COST WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. I USED THE WINDOWS VERY LITTLE BECAUSE I HAD NO CONFIDENCE IN THE REPAIR. I BEGAN TO HEAR THE NOISES AGAIN. YESTERDAY, UPON RETURNING FROM TAKING MY MOTHER TO HER HEART SPECIALIST, I STOPPED NEAR OUR MAIL BOX. MY MOTHER OPENED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY. AS SHE STARTED TO REACH THROUGH THE OPENING, TO THE GET THE MAIL, THE WINDOW EXPLODED. I SAY EXPLODED BECAUSE THE FORCE AT WHICH IT SHATTERED WAS SO GREAT THE IT THREW GLASS ONTO THE ROOF OF THE CAR. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. MY MOTHER WAS COVERED IN GLASS, AS WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. GLASS ALSO HIT MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR

2003 PONTIAC VIBE WAS HIT HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THEN HIT THE SIDE GUARD RAIL AND ANOTHER CAR. NO AIR BAGS (FRONT AND SIDES) DEPLOYED, AND ONE BACK SEAT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT FAILED. THERE WERE FIVE PEOPLE IN THE COMPLAINANT VEHICLE WERE INJURED.*AK *TS *JB *CB

PONTIAC VIBE 2003 HAS A VERY POOR A/C SYSTEM, NOT CAPABLE OF COOLING THE VEHICLE'S INTERIOR WHEN EXTERNAL TEMPERATURES ARE AROUND 90F. ALSO, THE A/C SYSTEM PRESENTS AN ANNOYING HISSING NOISE WHEN THE A/C IS OPERATING.*AK