2003 Pontiac Vibe Complaint Log

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WERE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH DURING BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS. THE GAUGES WERE DIGITAL AND UNABLE TO BE READ. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE SINCE THIS IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED. *JB UPDATED 2/28/2006 - *NM

WHENEVER THE CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT, AND THE AIR TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW ABOUT 30 DEGREES F, THE HEADLIGHTS TURN ON WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION. THIS LEADS TO A DEAD BATTERY AND AN INABILITY TO START THE CAR THE FOLLOWING MORNING. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BOTH THE 2003 PONTIAC VIBE AND ITS SISTER CAR, THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. TOYOTA HAS A TSB ON THE PROBLEM FOR THE MATRIX (EL003-03), GM DOES NOT HAVE ONE FOR THE VIBE. *TR

HAD THE BOLTS IN THE WINDOW UNITS REPLACED FROM PREVIOUS RECALL, BUT DID NOT FIX MY PROBLEM. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW CLICKS AND POPS WHEN BEING ACTIVATED UP AND DOWN. THE WINDOW WILL NOT TRACK RIGHT WHEN GOING UP AND I HAVE TO USE BOTH HANDS TO GET IT INTO THE WEATHER STRIP. DURING THE BOLT RECALL ON THE WINDOW THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED A NEW WINDOW REGULATOR AND WEATHER STRIP. COST AROUND $250. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CORNER THE VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED. THERE ARE POLICE REPORTS.

2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT - REPLACED CLUTCH ONCE AND DEALERSHIP AFTER 25K MILES THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. 10K MILES LATER IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AGAIN. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. UPON INSPECTION THEY ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN AND IT SHATTERED. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO PAY FOR THE LABOR BUT NOT THE PARTS TO FIX THE WINDOW.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ROLLS THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER WINDOW UP OR DOWN, THE WINDOW APPEARS LOOSE. THE WINDOWS ALSO MAKE A POPPING AND RATTLING SOUND. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND HAS SINCE WORSENED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER EA08004 (VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR) WAS REFERENCED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PONTIAC DOES NOT HAVE A SAFETY RECALL. HE WAS FURTHER INFORMED THAT TOYOTA ONLY PERFORMS THE RECALL REPAIRS ON THE TOYOTA VERSIONS OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE CLUTCH STARTED TO SLIP SO I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED I WOULD NEED A NEW CLUTCH AND PLATE. ASKED WOULD NOT THIS BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY BECAUSE I HAVE ONLY 47,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CLUTCH IS A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM SO IT WOULD NOT COVER IT, EVEN THOUGH THE CLUTCH SHOULD NOT OF WORN OUT THIS FAST. THE MECHANIC AGREED WITH ME ON THIS ISSUE. IN ORDER FOR THIS TO BE REPAIRED IT COST $1000 FOR THE LABOR, CLUTCH, AND PLATE. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT. I EXPERIENCED CLUTCH SLIPPAGE/FAILURE AT 30,000 MILES. I CONTACTED GM (FILE NUMBER 1-357754321) AND EXPLAINED THAT I TOOK THE CAR TO GM DEALER AND WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THAT A) MY CLUTCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AND B) IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AS IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR". THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT WAS ROUGHLY $1400 AND WHEN I COMPLAINED TO GM I WAS TOLD, VERY NICELY, THAT IT WAS "UP TO MY DISCRETION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT I APPROVE THE DIAGNOSTIC ($700) AND SUBSEQUENT REPAIR" . OF COURSE, NOT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM COULD RESULT IN A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE PART BECOMES MORE WORN. I HAVE ENCOUNTERED SEVERAL VIBE GT OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS ... ON YOUR WEB SITE ALONE, 5 OF THE 15 POSTINGS REGARDING THE VIBE COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. ANOTHER SITE HTTP://FORUMS.GENVIBE.COM/ HAS SEVERAL POSTINGS THAT ADDRESS THE ABOVE PROBLEM. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE VIBE CLUTCH AND COULD POTENTIALLY BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE CLUTCH FAILS ON AN INEXPERIENCED AND/OR UNAWARE DRIVER ... GIVEN THE FACT THE GM MARKETS THE VIBE TO COLLEGE AGE STUDENTS THIS SCENARIO IS VERY LIKELY. I AM AN EXPERIENCED MANUAL TRANSMISSION DRIVER, HAVING OWNED 3 (INCLUDING THE VIBE) AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT ANY OF THEM HAVE NEEDED A CLUTCH REPLACEMENT BEFORE 80,000 + MILES. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE THAT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS INTO A TREE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THAT TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. A COLLISION WAS PREVENTED BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS WERE MADE . THE CONSUMER SPOKE WITH GM, WHO OFFERED NO EXPLANATION. GM HAS NOT RETURNED THE CONSUMER'S CALL AT THIS TIME. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT SHE COULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH CONFIDENCE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK (12/01/05) THE CONSUMER EXPECTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CAR RENTAL. *SC

DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT AND FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMASHED IN. THE FORCE OF SEAT BELT LEFT A BRUISE. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THE AIR BAGS WERE A PONTIAC ISSUE. PONTIAC WANTED CONSUMER TO PAY FOR TOWING VEHICLE 110 MILES. THIS HAPPENED ON AUGUST 1, 2005.*AK

MY CLUTCH HAS BEEN ACTING UP WITH A STRONG BURNING ODOR SINCE JUNE 2004 AROUND 32,000 MILES. IT NOW HAS 53,000 MILES AND IT CONSTANTLEY SLIPPING. ON JUNE 26TH 2004 GENVIBE.COM HAD A MEET AT JOSEPH PONTIAC IN FENTON, MI. JEFF STRAUSSER, THE VIBE BRAND QUALITY MANAGER, CAME TO THE MEET ALONG WITH 7 OTHER GM NUMMI ENGINEERS. I HAVE PHOTOS TO PROVE IT, THERE POSTED AT GENVIBE.COM! JEFF STRAUSSER ADMITTED AT THE MEET GM KNEW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH FAILING IN THE VIBE GT MODELS AND HE WAS IN CONTACT WITH TOYOTA TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. HE ALSO TOLD ME WHEN MY CLUTCH GOES OUT HE WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I INFORMED JEFF STRAUSER MY WARRANTY WAS RUNNING OUT, HE STOPPED ME AND SAID DON'T WORRY ABOUT WE KNOWS THERE'S A PROBLEM, I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT. JEFF STRAUSER HAS BEEN RECENTLY PROMOTED TO ANOTHER MODEL, AND NOW GM REFUSES TO ADMIT TO ANY ISSUES, OR TO COVER IT THE REPAIR. BUT THEY'LL FIX IT FOR $1,400.00. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OR HAVE HAD IT REPLACED, MANY MORE PEOPLE WILL HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE UNTIL THEY CHANGE THERE FLAWED DESIGNED PARTS. WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THERE DEFECTS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ANYONE IN MY VIBE GT, WE'LL LET A JURY HEARD ABOUT IT. *NM

2003 PONTIAC VIBE PARKED, TRYING TO WIND UP WINDOW, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN 3/4 UP. TOOK IT TO GLASS SPECIALIST WHO REPLACED IT ($130.47), THEN HAD TO GO BACK TO DEALERSHIP AS GLASS WAS LOOSE ($78). *TR

NUMBER 2 ABOVE - OUR PONTIAC MONTANA 2003 VAN HAS THE AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE DOOR SLIDES BACK INTO PLACE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PUSHED. IT IS SUPPOSE TO GO BACK TO AN OPEN POSITION WHEN THE DOOR TOUCHES A PERSON OR AN OBJECT. OUR CONCERN IS IT TAKES ALL OF MY BODY WEIGHT FOR THIS DOOR TO GO BACK. SO IF OR WHEN A CHILD MIGHT GET HIS ARM OR EVEN HEAD IN BETWEEN THE FRAME AND THE DOOR CLOSING IF HE WERE STARTING TO GET OUT OF THE VAN IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY SINCE THE DOOR WOULD NOT JUST GO BACK AS IT SHOULD. OUR GRANDSON DID GET HIS FINGERS/HAND CAUGHT IN IT AND THE BUTTON HAD TO BE PUSHED TO RELEASE HIM. THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. IT IS NOT WHEN THE CHRYSLER VANS WHICH MY NIECE OWNS HAS THE SAME TYPE SET UP AND WHEN YOU JUST TOUCH HER DOOR AS IT'S CLOSING IT GOES RIGHT BACK OPEN. WE REALLY ARE CONCERNED WITH THE PHYSICAL DAMAGE THIS COULD CAUSE A CHILD. I WAS TRYING TO DEMONSTRATE TO SOME FRIENDS WHEN WE FIRST GOT THE VAN HOW THE DOOR WOULD GO BACK NOT KNOWING IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE DOOR FOR IT TO GO BACK AND IT BRUISED MY ARM. THE WAY THIS DOOR WORKS NOW WE WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER MONTANA UNLESS THIS FEATURE IS CORRECTED. WE WOULD DEFINITELY GO TO A CHRYSLER VAN NEXT. THEIRS IS MUCH SAFER. WE HAVE 8 GRANDCHILDREN AND THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN EVERYTIME THEY GO WITH US IN THE CAR. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM V6 AND AM ON MY 5TH SET OF LIFETIME WARRENTY BREAKS AND MY 2ND SET OF ROTORS. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE GAS HAND MALFUNCTIONING AND THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS NOT WORKING.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACTS SPOUSE PRESSED THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW. WHEN SHE PRESSED THE BUTTON TO CLOSE IT, THE WINDOW SHATTERED. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW BEGAN TO MAKE AN UNUSUAL NOISE AFTER THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS REPLACED. A GLASS COMPANY MADE ADJUSTMENTS, BUT THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT ADJUSTMENTS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. UPDATED 01-10-08. *KB UPDATED 12/31/07 *TR

WITH NO WARNING CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. STARTED THE VEHICLE AND MY 11 YEAR OLD SON USED THE BUTTON TO RAISE THE POWER PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW IN THE FRONT AND THE WINODOW EXPLODED WITH UT WARNING. SON WAS SPRAYED IN FACE WITH EXPLODING GLASS. THANK GOODNESS NO CUTS. *AK

I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE 20 MONTHS, IN THAT TIME, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED 7 TIMES AT 3-4 MONTH INTERVALS BEGINNING ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, USUALLY ALTERNATING BETWEEN RIGHT AND LEFT. THIS WAS NOT LIFE THREATENING BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. *SC *JB

WHILE DRIVING, I PRESSED THE BUTTON TO ROLL THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOWN. WINDOW STARTED TO ROLL DOWN AND THEN "EXPLODED", SHOWERING ME (DRIVER) WITH GLASS. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED MY VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS CUT ON MY HANDS WHILE CLEARING GLASS FROM INSIDE MY SHIRT AND OFF MY CLOTHING. AT THIS TIME, SHATTERED GLASS IS INSIDE MY DOOR AND WILL NEED TO BE CLEARED OUT WHEN I HAVE THE WINDOW REPLACED.

CLUTCH SLIPPAGE / FAILURE -- AT 43,000 MILES (BOUGHT USED CERTIFIED AT 30,000). HUGE NUMBER OF SAME PROBLEM LISTED ON MATRIXOWNERS.ORG AND VIBEMATRIX SITES. DROVE 1984 HONDA ACCORD 115,000 MILES WITH NO CLUTCH REPLACEMENT -- NOT AN OPERATOR PROBLEM. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $1200 FOR REPLACEMENT CLUTCH.*AK

I'M FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT INSUFFICIENTLY ENGINEERED CLUTCHES IN PONTIAC VIBE GTS/TOYOTA MATRIX XRS. MY GIRLFRIEND (WHO'S NAME THE CAR IS UNDER) AND I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT THAT WE PURCHASED NEW. WE'RE BOTH EXPERIENCED STICK DRIVERS, AND HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR CONSERVATIVELY, BUT BY 10,000 MILES THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING. OUR DEALER CLAIMED THAT IT WASN'T POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS SLIPPING. IT STARTED LIGHTLY, BUT THE CLUTCH WAS COMPLETELY GONE BY 12,000 MILES. NOW IN THE SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT, WE'VE BEEN INCONVENIENCED BY DAYS OF HAVING ONLY ONE CAR (NO LOANER CAR IF THEY THINK IT'S YOUR FAULT), AND ALSO HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS REPAIR WILL NOT BE A WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE IT'S OUR INABILITY TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION PROPERLY THAT HAS RESULTED IN THE PREMATURE WEAR. I HAVE MANY YEARS WITH STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS, AND HAVE NEVER KNOWN AN ABUSED CLUTCH TO GO AS FAST AS THIS ONE DID. *AK

THE CONSUMER'S 2003 PONTIAC VIBE DRIFTED FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *NM THE VEHICLE DID NOT HANDLE PROPERLY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP IT IN HE MIDDLE OF THE LANE. THE PROBLEM WOULD ALSO OCCUR ON SMOOTH LEVEL ROADWAY WITH NO WINDY CONDITIONS. THE TIRES HAD ALSO BEEN AFFECTED WITH UNEVEN WEARING OF THE INNERMOST TREAD ON EACH. *SC THE CONSUMER RECEIVED TWO EXPERT OPINIONS AND THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THE VEHICLE WAS CHAINED DOWN TOO TIGHT DURING TRANSPORTATION WHICH CAUSED THE MISALIGNMENT. *JB

CLUTCH BEGAN SLIPPING IN FALL 2004. I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2002 WITH 325 MILES ON IT. SOLD TO ME AS NEW WITH FULL BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, THAT OF COURSE EXCLUDED BRAKE PADS AND CLUTCH LINER. I DRIVER WITH ALMOST 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE OF MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS IS MY 4TH VEHICLE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AFTER BEING ADVISED IN MARCH 2005 THAT VEHICLE COULDN'T PASS NY STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CLUTCH PROBLEM. INSPECTOR WOULD NOT EVEN HOOK IT UP TO MACHINE. OF COURSE DEALER SERVICE SAID THEY NEVER HEARD A NOISE OR ANY VEHICLE NEEDING CLUTCH REPLACEMENT AT 30000 MILES. THEY WOULD NOT ABSORB COST, AND I HAD TO REPLACE TO THE TUNE OF $1300.00 AFTER THEIR GENEROUS DISCOUNT OF 10%. AFTER I COMPLAINED ABOUT ORIGINAL QUOTED PRICE OF NEARLY $1500.00. I SAY THIS, WITHOUT SARCASM, THEY WERE VERY NICE, JUST WOULDN'T ALLOW WARRANTY COVERAGE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IT WAS AFTER HAVING A DIFFERENT ONE OVERNIGHT THAT I DROVE OFF THE LOT WITH LESS THAN 15 MILES ON ODOMETER THAT EXHIBITED PROBLEMS SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR. DEALER TRIED TO SAY IT JUST NEEDED AN ADJUSTMENT, BUT I REFUSED TO KEEP THE CAR, AND HAD SERVICE MANAGER AT THAT TIME CHECK VEHICLE. HE ADMITTED THAT IT WAS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VEHICLE WHEN I REFUSED REPAIR. THAT SERVICE MANAGER IS NO LONGER WITH THAT DEALERSHIP, SO I HAD NO WAY TO COLLABORATE THIS INFORMATION WITHOUT GOING BACK TO SALES. I AM HALFWAY THROUGH A FOUR YEAR LEASE. DID NOT DRIVE MUCH BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND FEBRUARY 2003 AS I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK

I AM CONTACTING AS A CONCERNED PARENT. MY DAUGHTERS 2003 PONTIAC VIBE HAS HAD NUMEROUS REPAIR PROBLEMS FROM A LEAKING SEAL AROUND THE WINSHIELD TO A CD PLAYER THAT QUITE OPERATING. OTHER PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE MORE SERIOUS AND HAS BEEN EXPLAINED BY A LOCAL GLASS COMPANY THAT HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPLACE THE FRONT WINDSHIELD TWICE. THIS ACCORDING TO THEM IS IN THE DESIGN OF THE CAR THAT WHEN ROCKS HIT THE FRONT END THEY ARE ACCELERATED TOWRDS THE WINDSHIELD INSTEAD OF BEING DEFLECTED. THESE ARE NOT MY ONLY CONCERNS AS BACK IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004 THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW SHATTERED AS THE WINDOW WAS BEING RAISED WITH THE ECLECTRIC SWITCH THAT OPERATES THE WINDOW. MY DAUGHTER HAD THE WINDOW REPLACED AND I CONTACTED PONTIC CUSTOMER SERVICE IN DETROIT AND A JENNIFER WHITE AT 866 942-4368 X47978 BEGAN THE PROCESS OF RESOLVING THE MATTER (SERVICE REQUEST # 1-257036503) AND FINALLY REIMBURSED MY DAUGHTER FOR THE COST OF REPLACING THE WINDOW. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE WINDOW IN PLACE INSIDE THE DOOR HAD NOT BEEN INSTALLED PROPERLY CAUSING THE WINDOW TO BIND AND SHATTER. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW HAS SHATTERED IN THE SAME WAY (SERVICE REQUEST # 1-314157308) AND JENNIFER WHITE IS AGAIN THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT HANDLING THE CASE. MY ULTIMATE CONCERN IN THIS SITUATION IS THE SAFETY OF MY DAUGHTER, HER NEW HUSBAND( A YOUNG MAN IN THE U.S. MARINE CORP), AND THE UNBORN GRANDCHILD THAT MY DAUGHTER IS CARRYING. MY CONCERN IS EVEN GREATER AFTER HEARING THAT THE SERVICE PERSON WHO JUST YESTERDAY EXAMINED MY DAUGHTERS CAR, MADE THE STATEMENT THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE! I HATE TO TELL HIM BUT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED TO THE SAME VEHICLE.*AK

THE PROBLEM WITH MY 2003 PONTIAC VIBE STARTED IN LATE DECEMBER. I EXITED A STATE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I GOT TO THE BOTTOM TO THE RAMP AND STARTED TO STOP AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT I HAD TROUBLE GETTING THE VIBE TO STOP. I WS PUSING HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FINALLY GOT IT TO STOP AND THEN REALIZED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RACING AT HIGH RPMS. I QUICKLY PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND THE TACHOMETER SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE WAS TURRING AT 3500 RPMS. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE THEN AND ON 1/31/05 WHEN IT DID IT I WAS STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN AT A BUSY INTERSECTION AND THIS TIME WHEN I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, THE ENIGNE WAS TURNING AT 5,000 RPMS. AFTER A FEW SECONDS AT THIS RPMS THE ENGINE WILL RETURN TO ITS NORMAL IDLE RPMS. I HAVE TAKEN THE VIBE TO THE LOCAL PONTIAC DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. THEY ATTACHED THEIR COMPUTER TO THE VIBE AND NO MESSAGE CODES APPEAR. THEY HAD IT FOR 2 OTHER DAYS AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. I AM ONLY CONCERNED THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS IT WILLO ACT UP AND I WILL NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO REACT AND WILL HAVE A COLLISION WITH THE CAR OR PERSON IN FRONT OF ME OR WHEN MY WIFE IS DRIVING IT. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT PONTIAC MOTOR CO HAS NOT HAD ANY REPORTS OF THE RPMS INCREASING DURING BRAKING LIKE MY VIBE IS DOING. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SATELY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM.*AK

CLUTCH SLIPPAGE/ FAILURE @ 27K MILES ESPECIALLY WHEN MANEUVERING DIFFICULT TRAFFIC AND NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE INCREASING INSTANCE OF SMELLING CLUTCH PARTICULARLY IN REVERSE INTO A DRIVEWAY. PROBLEM WAS RECTIFIED BEFORE CRITICAL FAILURE WITH A CENTER FORCE DUAL FRICTION CLUTCH. THERE WAS SOME CONCERN THAT MY TEMPOR MAY HAVE OVER BOUGHT, BUT I COULD NOT HAVE BEEN HAPPIER. *JB

CONTINUAL EXPENSIVE REPAIR OF MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. IN JAN. 2003.. DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY SNAPPED. (UNDER WARRANTY). IN OCTOBER 2004... GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE NOZZLE CAME LOOSE FROM THE TANK, $900 REPAIR TODAY.. 12/21/04 VAN DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO RIGHT TIE ROD LOOSE AND ALIGNMENT $300 (CAR HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE WITH 40,000 MILES AND THE ENGINE THREW A ROD. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT SLUDGE IN THE OIL CAUSED BY IMPROPER MAINTENANCE WAS THE REASON THE ENGINE FAILED. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME ENGINE THAT IS IN THE TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT HAD THE PROBLEM WITH SLUDGE IN THE OIL. TOYOTA HAS AGREED TO REPAIR ENGINES IN TOYOTA'S DAMAGED BY SLUDGE IN THE OIL. PONTIAC STATED THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I BELEIVE THIS WAS CAUSED BY AN ENGINE DEECT AND IS NOT DUE TO POOR MAINTENANCE. *AK

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS OF HIS VEHICLE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY DIMMER. ON FURTHER INSPECTION HE REALIZED THAT THE PLASTIC COVER ON THE HEADLIGHT WAS BECOMING CLOUDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS IN THE LENS IT'S SELF AND TIRED TO BUFF THE LENS CLEAR TO NO SUCCESS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SELL HIM NEW LENS AT A COST OF $100.00 APIECE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,981. UPDATED 4/25/08 *CN

CREAKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. ALSO, BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. GASKETS REPLACED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ALSO THE THROTTLE GASKET REPLACED.*AK

BOUGHT CAR WITH 500 MILES, COULD EASILY SLIP MANUAL CLUTCH AND RESULT IN 'BURNING SMELL'. COULD EASILY SLIP CLUTCH ANYTIME AFTER PURCHASE. AROUND 24K MILES CLUTCH HAS HARD TIME HOLDING IN GEAR, VERY EASY TO SLIP CLUTCH. AT 26K MILES, CLUTCH NO LONGER HOLDS UPHILL IN HIGH GEAR. ON WAY TO HONEYMOON THE CLUTCH SLIPPED AT SPEED WITH CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP TO RED-LINE ON THE TACHOMETER FOR SEVERAL SECONDS BEFORE I MANUALLY CLEARED THE CRUISE CONTROL. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE CLUTCH ON THIS CAR (2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT) TO BE HIGHLY PROBLEMATIC WITH A SHORT LIFE-SPAN. GM WOULD NOT COVER THE CLUTCH AND CALLED IT 'USER WEAR AND TEAR', EVEN THOUGH MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE, AND THOSE SAME PEOPLE HAVE HAD CARS WHOSE CLUTCHES HAVE LASTED 100K+ (INCLUDING MYSELF). DEALER CHARGED $600 TO REPLACE CLUTCH (LABOR), AND WANTED ANOTHER $800 IN PARTS, WHICH WERE FOUND FOR AROUND $150 ELSEWHERE. GM KNOWS THE CLUTCH IN THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE YET DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND IT CONTINUES TO BE A PROBLEM ON NEWER MODELS, AS WELL. *NM

WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVE GEAR. THEN, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED, WENT INTO A BRICK WALL, THEN THROUGH AN OFFICE WINDOW. DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION/2 BROKEN FRACTURES IN THE ORBIT OF RIGHT EYE AREA, AND A SPRAINED NECK. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN ON MEDICATION FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SINCE THE ACCIDENT. *TC

2003 VIBE WITH 33K MILES. CLUTCH FAILED. HAVING NEW CLUTCH ASSEMBLY INSTALLED. WHY WOULD A CAR WITH ONLY 32K MILES NEED THIS? THANK GOODNESS MY DEALER IS COVERING THE REPAIR. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE SIDE OF THE TIRE, APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES WAS GONE FROM THE TIRE. DOT ACT2, SIZE 205-55R16 (89HMS) NO RECALLS FOUND. *JB

WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK THE CONSUEMR WAS INVOLVED IN TWO OTHER ACCIDENTS IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS RESULT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. *AK

THE CAR HAS A HORRIBLE RATTLING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP OR AT A LOW IDLE. *AK

STRONG SULPHUR ODOR FROM EXAUST, SEEMS WORSE IN THE WARMER MONTHS. DEALER INITIALLY SAID IT WAS THE TYPE OF GAS, BUT NOW CLAIMS ALL VIBES HAVE THE ODOR AND THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR! I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE AT PONTIAC WHO CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEN AGREED WITH THE DEALER. *MR

INSTRUMENT PANEL CHROME PLATING IMPAIRS VISIBILITY WHEN SUN REFLECTS OFF IT. *AK

WHILE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WITHOUT, THE WARNING THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED. *AK WHEN THE REAR GATE WAS TOUCHED TO OPEN THE WINDOW, IT EXPLODED. PONTIAC REPLACED THE WINDOW AND SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T SURE WHY THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *SC THE CONSUMER AND ANOTHER PERSON WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM GT THAT I PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN MAY 2003. SINCE THEN I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE MORE THAN 4 TIMES FOR DIFFERENT THINGS. MY CAR AT TIMES HESITATES BEFORE STARTING OTHER TIMES MAKES WEIRD POPPING NOISES AND SOMETIMES THE BRAKES MAKE A POPPING NOISE. EVERYTIME A SERVICE MECHANIC CHECKED FOR THOSE PROBLEMS THEY WERE NOT DUPLICATED. THEN I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT ON MY PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WAS SOAKED!!!!! I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER TWICE BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE WATER WAS DRAINING IT CAUSED MY FLOOR TO GET SOAKED EVERYTIME IT RAINED. THE DEALER FIXED THAT. NOW IT'S A FEW MONTHS LATER AND I'M DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR JUST DIES COMPLETELY CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING NO WARNING AT ALL! NO SHOULDER FOR ME TO PULL OFF ON !!!!VERY DANGEROUS. I TRY TO START MY CAR AND IT DOES NOT EVEN TURN OVER. I GET TOWED TO THE DEALER WERE THEY TELL ME THAT MY SENSOR WAS BAD, IT READ I HAD A LITTLE LESS THAN AN 1/2 OF TANK BUT ACTUALLY IT WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER PUT A SENSOR IN AND TOLD ME TO COME PICK UP MY CAR. I STILL DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY CAR. I BELIEVE THAT IT WAS MORE THAN THE SENSOR. MY CAR JUST COMPLETELY DIED WITH NO WARNING. NO HESITATION NOTHING, MY FUEL LIGHT WAS NOT ON! MY CAR WOULD NOT EVEN TURN OVER. WHEN IT RUNS OUT OF GAS IT STILL TURNS OVER IT DIDN'T! I HOPE THAT MY CAR IS COMPLETELY FIXED THAT WAS MY REASON FOR BUYING A NEW CAR, I HAVE NOT EVEN HAD THIS CAR A YEAR AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SIGNS THAT I MAY HAVE A LEMON!*AK

WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS, THE INTERIOR GEAR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON. (1) HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION. (2) ENGINE IS STARTED IN THE DARK (NO DAYLIGHT) WHEN THE ENGING IS STARTED, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATE BUT THE GEAR LIGHTS (P,R,N,D.L) DO NOT. WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS RELEASED, THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON (EVEN THOUGH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH REMAINS IN THE OFF POSITION...THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE AUTOMATIC LIGH SENSOR)BUT THE GEAR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON RIGHT AWAY. THERE IS A 30-45 SECOND DELAY FOR THE GEAR LIGHTS TO APPEAR. THIS MEANS I AM SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE OPTION OF PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR, BUT THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE NOT VISIBLE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE GEAR LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE DASH LIGHTS. NOW, THERE IS AN INCREASING DELAY. I BELIEVE EVENTUALLY THE GEAR LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. TO ME, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WHENEVER THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE GEAR LIGHTS SHOULD BE VISIBLE. MY DEALER AND GENERAL MOTORS TELL ME THAT THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION OF THE CAR AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR IT. MY SISTER'S 2004 PONTIAC VIBE DOES NOT OPERATE THIS WAY. *AK

TIRES/STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE HAVE FAILED 4 TIMES. CAR HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT AND IS NOW ON THE 4TH SET OF NEW TIRES, AVERAGE TIRE LASTS ABOUT 9-12,000 MILES, WITH ONE SET HAVING ONLY LASTED 4,000 MILES. THE DEALER KEPT BLAMING IT ON THE TIRES BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ITSELF, THE CAR HAS BEEN ALIGNED WITH EACH SET OF NEW TIRES AND 2 EXTRA TIMES WHEN I TOOK IT IN BECAUSE IT PULLS TO THE LEFT SEVERELY AND IT ALSO SHAKES EVEN AFTER BEING ALIGNED. I DON'T THINK 6 ALIGNMENTS IS NORMAL FOR A NEW CAR. IS ANYONE ELSE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES? *NM

ROTTEN EGG SMELL IN CABIN OF 2003 VIBE. THE DEALER SAID THAT GM IS AWARE OF ISSUE, BUT DOES NOT HAVE A FIX. THIS SMELL IS UNACCEPTABLE, WE ARE GOING TO SELL THE CAR. NO MORE GM'S FOR US. *AK

CLUTCH SLIPPING AND IS NEARING FAILURE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 15000 MILES. APPEARS MANY ARE EXPERIENCING PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE WITH THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. *AK

CHRONIC PROBLEM OF OVERLY SENSITIVE "AUTOMATIC" HEADLIGHTS TURN ON DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS MAKING INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS UNREADABLE.*AK

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SENSOR IS TOO SENSITIVE.

AN OVERLY SENSITIVE AMBIENT LIGHT SENSOR TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND DIMS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY ON A BRIGHT SUNSHINE DAY IF THE SHADOW FROM THE A-PILLAR FALLS ACROSS THE SENSOR. THE DIMMING OF THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY LEADS TO AN INABILITY TO READ THE INSTRUMENTS ON A BRIGHT SUNSHINE DAY, THUS CREATING A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. FROM MY RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH BOTH THE 2003 PONTIAC VIBE AND ITS SISTER CAR, THE 2003 TOYOTA MATRIX. TOYOTA HAS A TSB ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM (EL007-02), GM DOES NOT HAVE ONE FOR THE VIBE. *TR

2003 PONTIAC VIBER. WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSATATE TODAY AT 70 MPH NO OVER HANGING OBJECTS, NO CARS INSIGHT, SUNROOF EXPLODES, SHOWERING GLASS ON US, AND STARTLING US WITH LOUD NOSIE. HAS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCED THIS.*AK THANKS

OWN A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE, CAR RUNS GREAT, BUT HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH BOTH FRONT WINDOWS GOING UP AND DOWN, THEY WANT TO TRACK WRONG IN THE WINDOW GUIDE WEATHER GADGET AND FLUTTER LOUDLY AND VIOLENTLY WHEN TRAVERSING. LEFT FRONT DOOR WINDOW SWITCHPACK HAS LONG AGO FELL APART (THE BEZEL THAT HOLDS SWITCH FIRMLY IN THE DOOR PANEL) THIS CONDITION WAS ALWAYS WITH THIS CAR FROM DAY 1 OF OUR OWNERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR