2009 Pontiac Vibe Owner Complaints

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 acknowledged the issue in their vehicles but refused assistance for the Pontiac Vibe GT. •GM has not inspected the vehicle, even though they marketed and sold it. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? •No warning lights indicate low oil levels. •Symptoms include rapid oil loss, increased engine noise, and potential knocking if oil is not constantly monitored. Summary for NHTSA The Pontiac Vibe GT uses the Toyota 2AZ-FE engine, which Toyota admitted has a piston ring defect. Toyota extended warranties for their vehicles but excluded Pontiac Vibe owners, leaving us with a known defective engine. This creates a safety risk that should be investigated.

NHTSA ID

11640704

Incident

Nov 30, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID

11618100

Incident

Sep 9, 2024

Mileage

64,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11597438

Incident

Sep 17, 2023

TSB 0158-14 IS a Toyota engine that was also used in General Motors Pontiac vibe in 2009 and 2010 The tsb has to do with oil consumption and a tsb was made for Toyota. Not for Pontiac as a result my Pontiac is now consuming oil every 1000kms As they both used the 2Az-FE 2.4 engine

NHTSA ID

11557432

Incident

Nov 29, 2023

I was driving no warnings lights to shutting down on the road to black smoke came out of the back luckily a guy was going by and helped me move my car

NHTSA ID

11543052

Incident

May 31, 2023

The steering rack and intermediate shaft in the steering wheel Go bad and what happens is it makes having an alignment impossible Not only that but the vehicle clunks with every turn [XXX] Being a Pontiac it was a joint venture between Toyota And GM Thus Affecting many Toyota Corolla Prius and matrix As Toyota got a recall Pontiac did not INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11535337

Incident

Jul 30, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11535214

Incident

Jun 22, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11518683

Incident

Apr 24, 2020

The restraint system appears to have failed and cannot be repaired. Nobody appears to know why

NHTSA ID

11508061

Incident

Jun 2, 2022

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the vehicle speed control (VSC), ABS, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure; however, the independent mechanic replaced the heat shield. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.

NHTSA ID

11478986

Incident

Aug 11, 2022

Mileage

117,000 mi

PONTIAC VIBE 2009: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO FAT MISAPPLIED THE MAIN SWITCH TO CONTROL ELECTRIC WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE COULD GET STUCK OR STOP WORKING. IF WE TRIED TO LUBRICATE THE SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT AND MELT. A SWITCH THAT COULD MELT PRODUCE SMOKE AND CAUSE A FIRE DAMAGING PROPERTY OR INJURING SOMEONE. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MASTER SWITCH TO CONTROL ELECTRIC WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND APPLY SPECIAL GREASE THAT PREVENTS HEAT BUILDUP, OR REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BOARD OF THE SWITCH, IF NECESSARY. NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 16,724.

NHTSA ID

11343592

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ED SCHMIDT GMC (26875 N DIXIE HWY, PERRYSBURG, OH 43551) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. *BF *AS

NHTSA ID

11337174

Incident

Jul 2, 2020

Mileage

30,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS TURNED IN FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. WE RECEIVED A CALL SAYING IT WAS DONE. WE ARE STILL RECEIVING NOTICES FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT WE DROPPED THE CAR OFF TO GET IT COMPLETED AND PENDOT STATING THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327507

Incident

Feb 11, 2019

I BOUGHT A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE WITH A 2.4L ENGINE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO WITH AROUND 80K MILES. I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT IT WAS USING ABOUT A QUART OF OIL AROUND EVERY 1K MILES. IT NOW HAS A LITTLE OVER 90K MILES AND USES ABOUT 1.25 QUARTS OF OIL PER 1K MILES. I FOUND THAT TOYOTA ADMITTED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE 2AZ-FE ENGINES THAT ARE IN THEIR MATRIX AND CAMRYS, AS WELL AS THE PONTIAC VIBE, AND HAVE OFFERED THE ZE7 WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE PISTONS AND RINGS IN THESE PRODUCTS TO CORRECT THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. I CONTACTED GM SERVICE TO SEE IF THEY WERE GOING TO OFFER THE SAME PROGRAM FOR THESE ENGINES SINCE THEY PURCHASED THESE DEFECTIVE ENGINES FROM TOYOTA. THEY RESPONDED BY SAYING THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN SERVICE PROGRAMS OPEN FOR THIS CAR. I ASKED THEM WHY GM WOULDN'T ADMIT TO THE PROBLEM AS TOYOTA DID, AND OFFER A PROGRAM SIMILAR TO THE TOYOTA PROGRAM TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES WITH THIS ENGINE. THEY RESPONDED AGAIN BY SAYING THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN SERVICE ISSUES FOR THIS VEHICLE. I THINK IT'S VERY IRRESPONSIBLE OF GM TO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES AND OFFER THE SAME SUPPORT FOR THEM AS DID TOYOTA WHO SUPPLIED THE ENGINES TO GM. I GREW UP AS PART OF A GM FAMILY, BUT WON'T PLAN TO BUY ANY FUTURE GM PRODUCTS DUE TO THEIR LACK OF SUPPORT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH AN OBVIOUS PRODUCT QUALITY ISSUE AS IS FOUND HERE. IF TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGES A PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES AND PROVIDES SUPPORT TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, WHY DOESN'T GM OFFER SIMILAR SUPPORT SINCE TOYOTA SUPPLIED THE IDENTICAL ENGINES TO THEM? DOESN'T MAKE FOR GOOD CUSTOMER PUBLIC RELATIONS AND DOESN'T PROVIDE ANY INCENTIVE TO BUY FUTURE GM VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

11320294

Incident

Apr 6, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE BURNS OVER A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES. THIS MEANS IT REQUIRES A WAIVER TO PASS INSPECTION. THE 2009 TOYOTA MATRIX, WHICH SHARES THE SAME ENGINE, HAD A RECALL ISSUED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ABS WARNING ILLUMINATED, DISTRACTING THE DRIVER. THERE WAS NO COLLISION, BUT A NEAR MISS.

NHTSA ID

11311869

Incident

Oct 16, 2019

Mileage

101,200 mi

THIS CAR HAS THE 2.4L TOYOTA 2AZ-FE ENGINE, WHICH HAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE PISTON RINGS, LEADING TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THOSE OF US WITH PONTIAC VIBES APPARENTLY HAVE NO RECOURSE THROUGH EITHER TOYOTA OR GM.

NHTSA ID

11302821

Incident

Jan 29, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH FAILURE. SHORTED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE WAS ISOLATED TO SWITCH AND DOOR PANEL, HOWEVER INTERIOR OF CAR DID FILL UP WITH SMOKE. POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH WAS PREVIOUSLY ADDRESSED AS PER BULLETIN 15791A HOWEVER RECALL DID NOT REMEDY DEFECTIVE PART/HAZARD.

NHTSA ID

11289065

Incident

Dec 10, 2019

Mileage

101,000 mi

AT STOP, VEHICLE ATTEMPTED ACCELERATING. MUCH PRESSURE ON BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO KEEP CAR FROM MOVING. AFTER SHUTTING OFF ENGINE AND RESTART, SEEMED OK. THIRD AND MOST SIGNIFICANT OCCURANCE. *LN*JB

NHTSA ID

11282495

Incident

Nov 25, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE ABOVE 20 MPH. ADDITIONALLY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE CHECK ENGINE AND VSC OFF WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO GENERAL MOTORS (300 ACME DR, MONROE, NC, 704-283-8175). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V018000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

NHTSA ID

11256574

Incident

Sep 15, 2019

Mileage

167,000 mi

2.4L ENGINE W/ 150000 MILES BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL; APPX. 1 QT PER 1000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11233796

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTACT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO THIRD GEAR, BUT IT DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE MOTOR REVVED UP TO 7,000 RPMS. THE CONTACT SHIFTED BACK INTO DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS STILL ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE AND COASTED THE VEHICLE INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE ENGINE REVVED BACK UP TO 7,000 RPMS. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE VEHICLE A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID

11217508

Incident

May 29, 2019

Mileage

170,000 mi

I AM HAVING ISSUE WITH EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION FOR THE LAST 6-9 MONTHS. BEFORE I HIT 3000 MILES THE OIL HAS BURNED UP AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THE DIP STICK. I TOOK IT TO GOODYEAR AND THEY SAID TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I TOOK IT TO ED RINKE IN CENTERLINE MI, WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND WHY IT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN I TOOK IT FOR MY LAST OIL CHANGE AT GOODYEAR IN WARREN MI THEY SAID THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL. I HAVE FOUND A FORUM WERE OTHERS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND UPON RESEARCHING IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH SOME OF THE TOYOTA'S AS WELL. I OCCASIONALLY NOTICE A BURNING SMELL WHEN I AM DRIVING BUT IT'S NOT ALL THE TIME. I ALSO SOMETIMES EXPERIENCE MY CAR CATCHING WHEN IT'S SHIFTING OR SHAKING WHEN IDLING. I'M NOT SURE IF THESE ISSUES ARE RELATED, BUT WHEN I TAKE IT FOR SERVICE THEY CANNOT SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUES. I TOOK IT IN THIS PAST SUNDAY FOR MY LATEST OIL CHANGE BUT THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE LAST YEAR IN APRIL 2018 WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11197169

Incident

Apr 14, 2019

CAR SHUTS OFF COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS COMPLETELY AT RANDOM. AFTER PLACING IN PARK, REMOVING KEY, RE-INSERTING KEY, RESTARTING, ALL IS FINE FOR A WHILE. PROBABLY FAULTY ECM.

NHTSA ID

11185069

Incident

Mar 8, 2019

Mileage

88,000 mi

RATTLE FROM STEERING COLUMN WHEN BRAKING FROM HIGH SPEEDS OR DRIVING OVER SLIGHTLY UNEVEN PAVEMENT.

NHTSA ID

11180082

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

GM IS GREAT AT SENDING OUT LETTERS TO GET THE AIRBAG PROBLEM FIXED, BUT THE GM DEALERSHIPS DON'T SEEM SO WILLING TO DO THE WORK. I CONTACTED FELDMAN CHEVROLET A FEW WEEKS AGO TO GET IT FIXED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO ORDER PARTS, THEN THEY WOULD CALL ME TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR. I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN!

NHTSA ID

11174970

Incident

Jan 7, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi