2003 Pontiac Vibe Complaint Log

IN AUGUST OF 2003, WE BOUGHT A NEW, 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. IN NOVEMBER, WE HAD A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, WHILE TAKING A CURVE. THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND MADE US HIT THE SIDE WALK WITH THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE TWO FRONT WHEELS BURSTED AND THE ROD BROKE IN HALF. WE STARTED SPINNING UNTIL THE MOTOR, FINALLY DIED. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS AROUND AT THAT TIME. OUR INJURIES ARE BEING TREATED AND OUR INSURANCE COMPANY COVERED THE VEHICLES REPAIRS. THE DAMAGE WAS MAJOR AND WE REQUESTED AN INSPECTION FROM PONTIAC. THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY AND DENIED TO PROVIDE US WITH A COPY OF THE INSPECTION REPORT OR PICTURES. THE TOWING COMPANY MENTIONED TO US THAT THEY HAD PICKED UP THREE VIBES WITHT HE SAME TYPE OF DAMAGE.

DEFROSTER FOR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD STOPPED OPERATING, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. DEALER FOUND THAT DOOR ACTUATOR BROKE, BUT MADE NO REPAIRS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS WAS A VERY FREQUENT PROBLEM. *AK 2003 PONTIAC VIBE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH DEFROSTER FOR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. DEFROSTER FAILED CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. THE CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION WAS DUE TO THE DOOR ACTUATOR THAT BROKE.*MR

WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE REACHES HIGH RPMS AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK WHILE PARKING, CONSUMER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL. WHILE IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP TO 5000 RPM'S OR SO AND STAYED AT THIS FULL THROTTLE POSITION FOR 1/2 A MINUTE. HIS FOOT WAS LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE WHEN SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED. CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND HAD THE PASSENGER TO VERIFY THE ENGINE STAYED AT FULL THROTTLE WITH FOOT ON ALL PEDALS. SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, CONSUMER HAD MECHANIC TO CLEAN/INSPECT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND SENSORS, REPROGRAMMED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, REPLACE THE ACCELERATION CABLE AND DISCONNECT THE CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER THE FOURTH INCIDENT, CONSUMER HAD THE MECHANIC TO INSTALL A MONITOR TO RECORD THE ELECTRICAL CONDITIONS FOR THE NEXT INCIDENT. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES EVER OCCURRED FOR ANY OF THESE SUDDEN ACCELERATION INCIDENTS. *PH *NLM

I HAVE A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT AND AM EXPERIENCING A MANUAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICED A RATTLING/GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE GEARBOX THAT BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 13K MILES. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A GRINDING SOUND OR SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE GEARBOX ON DECELERATING OR CONSTANT SPEEDS IN FIRST, SECOND, THIRD AND FORTH GEARS. WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE GRINDING/RATTLING NOISE GOES AWAY. THE NOISE CAN BE REPLICATED BY KEEPING THE ENGINE SPEED AT 1600 RPM'S I SENT A FAX TO THE SERVICE MANAGER OF PARKS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC ON 09/23/2003 DESCRIBING THE GEARBOX PROBLEM IN DETAIL AND I SPOKE WITH HIM VIA THE TELEPHONE. HE ASSURED ME THE PROBLEM WOULD BE ADDRESSED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO PARKS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC ON 09/24/2003 AT 0740 HOURS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 0945 HOURS CONTACTED ME AND THEY STATED THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS FIXED. THE SERVICE REP STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH A LOOSE CLIP. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY FOUND CARGO FASTNER CLIPS IN THE REAR CARGO AREA THAT WERE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY HEARD THE NOISE FROM THE GEARBOX WHEN THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND IT WAS NORMAL. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN BY TWO PEOPLE AFTER THE CARGO FASTNER CLIPS WERE REMOVED AND THE NOISE WAS GONE. I SPOKE WITH A PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTIVE ON 09/25/2003. THE SERVICE REP CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER IN REGARDS TO THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE SAME DIAGNOSIS. THE SERVICE REP AGREED WITH ME THEIR DIAGNOSIS IS NOT LOGICAL FOR A NOISE COMING FROM THE GEARBOX. THE NOISE WAS NOT CAUSED BY CARGO FASTNER CLIPS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK. IN REGARDS TO THE CARGO FASTNER CLIPS THEY HAVE BEEN REMOVED SINCE SEPTEMBER 2002; THE CLIPS SCREW INTO A RAIL ON THE FLOOR OF THE TRUNK AND COME WITH STRAPS TO SECURE CARGO IN THE TRUNK. SINCE PICKING UP THE VEHICLE FROM PARKS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC ON 09/24/2003, THE NOISE FROM THE GEARBOX STILL EXISTS AND NOTHING WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP.

I OWN A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT. THERE IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE VISIBILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, DURING SUNNY TIMES WEARING SUNGLASSES AND DURING MORNING AND EVENING HOURS WHEN THE LIGHT SENSOR TURNS ON THE HEADLIGHTS AND DIMS THE PANEL LIGHTS. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO STRUGGLE TO READ READILY AVAILABLE INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED! I CAN'T AVOID DRIVING MY CAR IN CERTAIN LIGHTNING CONDITIONS. *NM

HELLO MY NAME IS [XXX], I BOUGHT A 2003 PONITAC VIBE IN DEC OF 02 SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MINOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP SO MANY TIMES NOW I THINK THAT THEY THINK I WORK THERE. SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR I HAVE HAD THREE HUB CAPS REPLACED DUE TO THEM TURNING A YELLOW COLOR (FROM SILVER). THE PASSENGER SEAT STARTED TO TEAR IN THE SEAMS..(I WEIGH 150 LB I DON'T THINK IM TOO HEAVY) THE SEAL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, NOW THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT IS STARTING TO TEAR AT THE SEAMS AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, THE ENGINE IS STARTING TO CHIRP LIKE I HAVE FRIGGIN CRICKETS IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR.....I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THIS THING BUT ITS DOWN RIGHT ANNOYING! I LOVE THE CAR ITS GREAT BUT THE CONSTANT TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND ON TOP OF THAT THEY NEVER ONCE HAVE OFFERED TO LOAN ME A CAR WHILE THEY FIXED THE DEFECTS IN THEIR PRODUCTS . THIS HAS BEEN AN INCONVENIENCE TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I WANT TO KNOW IF ANYONE ELSE HAS NOTICED THESE TYPES OF DEFECTS IN THEIR VIBE OR IF I GOT HE LEMON OF THE BUNCH. PLEASE RESPOND. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

IN AUGUST OF 2004 WHILE CAMPING MY 18 MONTH OLD SON WAS GETTING OUT OF OUR 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA WHEN HE INSTINCTIVELY REACHED BACK INTO THE VAN TO GRAB HIS SIPPY CUP THAT HE DROPPED WHILE THE DOOR WAS STARTING TO CLOSE, HIS HAND BECAME PINCHED IN THE SLIDING DOOR. I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE HAD DROPPED HIS CUP, SO I LOOKED AWAY TRYING TO GRAB HIS TWIN BROTHER BEFORE PEOPLE IN NEIGHBORING CAMP SITES YELLED IMMEDIATELY THAT THE DOOR HAD ACTUALLY CLOSED COMPLETELY ON HIS HAND. LUCKILY NOTHING WAS BROKE BECAUSE HIS HAND WAS SO SMALL AND IT HAPPENED JUST UNDERNEATH THE PROTECTIVE STRIP SO IT ACTUALLY CLOSED COMPLETELY. I CONTACTED SEVERAL DEPARTMENTS AND SPOKE TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE AT GM REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THEY PRETTY MUCH ALL TOLD ME (AFTER HUNDREDS OF QUESTIONS FROM THEM) THAT I SHOULD HAVE BEEN WATCHING MY KIDS BETTER AND THAT IT IS A SAFETY FEATURE TO STOP COMPLETE CLOSURE OF OBJECTS UNFORTUNATELY LARGER THAN MY 18 MONTH OLD SONS HAND. ALSO I HEARD A LOT OF SORRY AND THIS IS UNFORTUNATE THAT IT HAD TO HAPPEN BUT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO FOR ME. *JB

WINDSHIELD IS VERY EASILY CRACKED BY SMALL STONES. TRAVELING 50MPH A SMALL STONE WAS THROWN CAUSING A SPIDER CRACK. PLANNED TO GO AND HAVE IT FILLED THAT AFTERNOON BUT IT PROGRESSED INTO A 13IN CRACK. OBTAINED ANOTHER STONE CRACK 3 DAYS LATER IN A 35MPH ZONE. THE WINDSHIELD IS FAR TOO THIN AND SHOULD NOT CRACK UNDER SMALL POINT LOADS. I HATE TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPED IF -GOD FORBID- THE PASSENGER AIRBAG GOES OFF.*AK

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LINE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THERE WAS AN ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM ON THE PONTIAC VIBE AND THE TOYOTA MATRIX. THE FUEL FILL TUBE HOSE WAS CONNECTED TO AN OPENING INLET AT THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. *SCC *JB

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH FAILURE ON VIBE GT (6SPEED MANUAL) AT 32,000 MILES. FLYWHEEL REQUIRES EXTENSIVE RESURFACING ACCORDING TO DEALER. DEALER HAS DECLINED TO COVER REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, CLAIMING THIS IS NORMAL WEAR ON A 15-MONTH-OLD VEHICLE. CLUTCH BEGAN EXHIBITING SYMPTOMS OF DIFFICULTY AS EARLY AS 10,000 MILES, BUT NO ONE WOULD BELIEVE US. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL (HYDRAULIC AND CABLE) FOR 20+ YEARS, AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR.

THEY MADE THE 2003 VIBE WITH SEE THROUGH PLASTIC MOLDING, YOU CANT SEE IT UNLESS YOU ARE UP CLOSE, ANY SMALL THING THAT HITS IT IT DAMAGES THE PLASTIC AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAR IS CHIPPED SEVERELY...GM WILL NOT HONOR THE BUMBER TO BUMPER WARRANTY FOR THAT SHE SAID THATS WHAT ITS THERE TO DO...HOW CAN IT PROTECT THE PAINT IF IT CANT PROTECT ITS SELF....ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.. RON HERNANDEZ

CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW 40 DAYS AGO. WITH ONLY 613 MILES DRIVEN, CAR FAILED TO START. DRIVEN DURING THE DAY NO SIGNS OF ANY PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS PARKED FOR ONE HOUR AND AFTER THAT TIME COULD NOT START ENGINE. BATTERY, SHIFT INTER-LOCK WIRING LOOKED FINE, BUT STARTER MOTOR HAD NO POWER. TOWED TO DEALER STILL AWAITING SERVICE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID "NEVER HAD ONE NOT START!" *NLM

WINDSHIELD SURFACE TOO SOFT, SCRATCHES EASILY. ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORE A CURVED SCRATCH IN WINDSHIELD. DEALER AND PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE FOR WARRANTY STATED IT WAS MY PROBLEM. I REPLACED BLADES. CUSTOMER WEB SITES STATED THIN WINDSHIELD AND SOFT SURFACE GLASS WAS A PROBLEM ON PONTIAC VIBE AND TOYOTA MATRIX.*AK

PONTIAC VIBE 2003 PRESENTS "ROTTEN EGG" SMELL. THIS IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS, WHICH CAN BE HARMFUL, EVEN DEADLY. SMELL GETS INSIDE THE DRIVER'S CABIN VIA A/C.*AK

THE SMOKED GLASS COVERING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO READ THE VITAL INFORMATION SUCH AS SPEED, ETC., ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS. THIS POSES A SEVERE SAFETY PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER AS HE TRIES TO READ THE VITAL INFORMATION WHILE DRIVING IN ANY TRAFFIC CONDITION. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2003. BOTH GENERAL MOTORS IN DETROIT AND MY LOCAL DEALER SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT CORRECTING THIS FAULT. THE INCIDENT DATE I LISTED BELOW IS WHEN I FIRST NOTICE THIS DESIGN FAULT AFTER BUYING THE CAR NEW FROM THE DEALER. *TR

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

BOTH DRIVER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SEVERAL TIMES. *AK *NLM *JB

WHEN BRAKING MY ENGINE REVS ON OCCASION. IT IS CALLED FAT FOOT!! THE PEDALS ARE TO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE GAS CAN BE EASILY PRESSED AT THE SAME TIME. LUCKILY I AM ONE OF THE FEW THAT STILL KNOWS HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND ALL I NOTICE IS MY TACH SWING UP. YES THE PEDALS NEED TO BE PLACED FARTHER APART BUT DON'T BLAME THE CAR FOR SOMETHING THAT IS YOUR FAULT. *JB

ODOMETER; SPEED;TEMP AND OTHER GAUGES CANNOT BE SEEN IN ANY DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS WITH OR WITHOUT GLASSES. *LA

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT, THIS CAR IS AWESOME! *JB

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

TIRES WORE OUT WINTIN 2,900 MILES. DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 MONTHS OLD AND HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO RUST ON AND AROUND THE ''VIBE'' EMBLEMS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RAISE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, IT MADE A VERY LOUD NOISE AS IF IT WERE BREAKING. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE WINDOW INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE CONSUMER STATED INFORMED BY DEALER THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $88 IF GM IS RESPONSIBLE WILL PAY COST OF REPAIRS IF NOT CONSUMER WILL BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. THE CONSUMER DECLINED REPAIRS AND WOULD PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR REPAIRS. UPDATED 10/24/07 *TR

WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE GAS, THE ENGINE STARTED TO ROAR AND INCREASED SPEED EXCESSIVELY. *AK THERE WERE THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED. ONCE, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP. SECOND, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO AVOID REAR ENDING A DUMP TRUCK, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN THE CONSUMER PARALLELED PARKED AND THE ENGINE WENT FULL THROTTLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SURGED OVER THE CEMENT PARKING CURB INTO THE LOW RETAINING WALL. THE CONSUMER SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND TOOK HIS FOOT OFF ALL PEDALS AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION, WHICH WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE ENGINE. $4298.96 IN DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE. *PH *JB

DURING SPORADIC TIMES, THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WILL START SMELLING LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. THERE IS NO CORRELATION TO HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR OR A CERTAIN SPEED. THE SMELL WILL COME AND GO. SOMETIMES THE SMELL IS NOTICEABLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR ONCE WE HAVE STOPPED AT OUR DESTINATION. DEALER SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR.

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

WHILE BRAKING CAR WILL ACCELERATE. HAVE TO BRAKE HARD AND BUT INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE RACED AND I HAD TO TURN CAR OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. TOOK TO DEALER SERVICE, THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *NLM

CAR WAS PURCHASED DAY BEFORE. WHILE DRIVING ON MAR 1ST AND COMING TO STOP LIGHT WITH BRAKES APPLIED, CAR ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. ONLY HARD BRAKING PREVENTED CRASH. TWO HOURS LATER WITH WIFE IN CAR WHILE BRAKING FOR STOPPED CAR, ENGINE ROARED VIOLENTLY, ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLASHED, SMOKE POURED OUT OF BACK OF CAR FROM EXHAUST AND REAR TIRES SPINNING ONLY HARD BRAKING, PUTTING CAR IN PARK AND TURNING OFF ENGINE PREVENTED A COLLISION. CAR WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY WITH BRAKES ON.*JB

I NOTICED MY VEHICLE DOES NOT HANDLE WELL AT ALL IN SNOWY WEATHER. IN 4 INCHES OF SNOW I GOT STUCK THREE TIMES AND FINALLY JUST HAD TO STAY HOME. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALER AND ASKED ABOUT THIS AND IT WAS STATED TO ME THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED BY THIS, IF I HAD KNOWN THE VEHICLE HANDLES SO POORLY I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT.*JB

INSTRUMENT PANEL IS UNREADABLE IN DAYLIGHT WHILE WEARING SUNGLASSES.*AK

WHEN BRAKING THE ENGINE WOULD START RACING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

PONTIAC VIBE GT 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION INFERIOR OR DEFECTIVE, FROM THE SHOW ROOM TO 20,000 MILE THE CAR SHIFTED FUNNY AND REV. HIGH SERVICE SAID IT WAS FINE AND THEN I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW CLUTCH AT 20,000 SAID THAT I BURNT THE CLUTCH UP AND THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE CLUTCH. YOU WILL SEE ALOT OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE GT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

2003 PONTIAC VIBE. VEHICLE HAS A SENSOR THAT TURNS ON THE INTERIOR LIGHTS AND TAILLIGHTS. THESE LIGHTS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED UNTIL 15-20 SECONDS ELAPSE. I NOTED MY WIFE DRIVING AWAY WITH HEADLIGHTS BUT NO TAIL LIGHTS AFTER SHE STARTED THE CAR AFTER SUNSET. THE TAIL LIGHTS CAME ON AS SHE WAS TWO BLOCKS DOWN THE STREET. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY DANGER DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD BE CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY. THANKS

DEFECTIVE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. * MR THE BRAKES WOULD GRIND, MAKE NOISES, PULSATE ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS, AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE SIDE SHARPLY UPON BRAKING. THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE SIDE WHILE IN MOTION. THE TIRES FELT AS IF THEY HAD NO TRACTION. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENTS WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE CONTROL DURING MILD WEATHER. (POSSIBLE DOT # 0156-82/MODEL 9000M) SCC *JB

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHTS TURN ON IN DAYLIGHT - CAN'T SEE DASH. IN THE MORNING AND EVENING WHEN THE SUN IS LOW AND IN YOUR EYES, I WEAR SUNGLASSES LIKE MOST DRIVERS. THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS COME ON AND DIM THE DASH MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. YOU CAN FIDDLE WITH THE DASH INTENSITY AND READ IT AGAIN, BUT IT IS ANNOYING TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME. THE RADIO STAYS DIM AND IS UNADJUSTABLE BY THE DASH INTENSITY LIGHTS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE. YOU HAVE TO MOVE YOUR HEAD TO FUNNY ANGLES OR REMOVE YOUR SUNGLASSES TO SEE THE RADIO. I FEEL FIDDLING WITH THE DASH LIGHTS AND/OR REMOVING YOUR SUNGLASSES TO OPERATE THE RADIO ARE DISTRACTIONS TO THE DRIVER AND INCREASE RISK OF ACCIDENT. THE DASH LIGHTING ON THE VIBES IS CRITICAL AS IT IS BECAUSE THE DASH LIGHTS MUST STAY ON ALL THE TIME. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY ARE IN A TUNNEL AND YOU CAN NOT SEE THEM, EVEN IN BRIGHT LIGHT, WITHOUT THE DASH LIGHTS ON. COUPLE IN THE FACT THAT PONTIAC USES RED BACKLIGHTING FOR THE DASHBOARD AND THE DASH GAGES ARE ALREADY AT A SIGHT DISADVANTAGE. THROW IN A TOUCHY LIGHT SENSOR THAT TURNS ON YOUR HEADLIGHTS (AND DIMS THE DASH) AND IT IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION. THE SENSOR IS TOO SENSITIVE AND I NOTICED COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS SUCH AS GENVIBE.COM AND MATRIX-VIBE.NET THAT MAKE MENTION OF THE SAME PROBLEM. SENSOR SHOULD BE DISACTIVATED OR REPLACED WITH LESS SENSITIVE TYPE. I HAVE A 2000 PONTIAC MONTANNA WITH AUTOMATIC LIGHTS AND IT WORKS FLAWLESS. ONLY COMES ON AT DUSK. NEVER COMES ON WITH A LOW SUN (DAWN, DUSK) SHINNING IN YOUR EYES. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY LIGHT SENSOR IN MY VIBE IS IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF DASH AND IT IS NOT BLOCKED IN ANY MANNER. THIS LOCATION SEEMS STUPID FOR A LIGHT SENSOR ALSO, AS SHADOWS FROM THE A-PILLAR MAKE IT COME IN OF THE SUN IS BLOCKED FROM THE A-PILLAR. KEITH NELSON

NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED BY NHTSA REGARDING INABILITY TO READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT ON EARLY MODEL PONTIAC VIBES. RE: 567158, 767385, 10005009, 10034473, 10056016, ETC. I AM UNAWARE OF ANY SOLUTION BEING OFFERED BY GM FOR THIS OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW WHICH SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A SAFELY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAYTIME, THE CONTACT COULD NOT READ THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAY. THE LIGHTING WAS ADJUSTED TO THE HIGHEST SETTING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 6/3/15*CN

TAKATA RECALL

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED,THE ENGINE IDLED HIGH. *PH *JB

DASH LIGHTING IS VERY HARD TO SEE DURING BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS. *PH *NM

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

I WAS DRIVINING ON THE HIGHWAY , I HIT MY BRAKES BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD CUT ME OFF. UPON DOING SO MY BRAKES HAD LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, IN WHICH IT SENT ME INTO A SPIN. I THEN HIT THE GUARDRAIL AND WALL ON BOTH SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD I PAID $1000. EXTRA FOR ANTI LOCK BRAKES. I BROKE MY WRIST AND BURNED MY ARM FROM THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAG..I WAS BLOCKING MY FACE WITH MY ARM.*AK

CONDENSATION BUILDS UP ON THE INSIDE OF ALL WINDOWS OF VEHICLE WHILE PARKED FOR 6 HOURS. SO MUCH SO, CONDENSATION WAS RUNNING DOWN THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS PROBLEM IS UNUSUAL AS I''VE OWNED NUMEROUS NEW VEHICLES IN THIS GEOGRAPHICAL AREA. AND NONE HAS HAD THIS AMOUNT IF ANY CONDENSATION BUILD UP ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. AS I''M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A VALID COMPLAINT. BECAUSE YES AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF RUNNING THE DEFROSTER THE CONDENSATION CLEARS. BUT I CAN''T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WENT BELOW FREEZING. WOULD I HAVE A SHEET OF ICE ON THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD? THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE; THERE SHOULDN''T BE ANY FROST ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDOWS. I WILL CONTACT THE DEALER TO SEE IF THEY''VE HAD ANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE OR IF THEY HAVE ANY IDEAS OF THE CAUSE. ALSO THIS HAPPENED IN 2003, THAT YEAR SELECTION WASN''T AVAILABLE VIA YOUR WEB SITE UNDER INCIDENT DATE. THANKS

RECALL NOTICE FOR 2003 PONTIAC VIBE REGARDING THE BOLTS IN THE FRONT AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS. CONSUMER HAS ISSUES WITH REIMBURSEMENT. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BOLTS IN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR IN 2006. IT WAS CAUSING THE WINDOW TO STICK AND MAKING CLICKING NOISES. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL WHICH STATED REIMBURSEMENT MAY BE POSSIBLE. GM INFORMED THE CONSUMER SHE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT SINCE IT WAS ALREADY FIXED UNDER RECALL; AND GM ONLY PAYS FOR REPAIRS ONCE. *JB

REGARDING THE AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SENSOR -- THIS SENSOR IS LOCATED ON THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT THE BASE OF THE A-PILLAR. ON VERY BRIGHT AND SUNNY DAYS, THE SENSOR TURNS THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND OFF BECAUSE OF SHADING BY THE A-PILLAR OR STATE INSPECTION STICKER. DEPENDING ON THE ANGLE OF THE CAR RELATIVE TO THE SUN, THIS HAS OCCURRED BETWEEN 10 AND 20 TIMES EACH DAY THAT I HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR AND OCCURS AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY. WHEN THE LIGHTS GO ON, THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS DIM MAKING THE SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER GAUGES UNREADABLE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN SINCE I CANNOT SEE MY SPEED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. THE DEALER KNOWS OF NO WAY TO DISABLE THIS SENSOR AND PONTIAC HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY E-MAILS YET.*AK

CONSUMER RECENTLY RENTED A VEHICLE THAT HAS A GLARING DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE. WITH SUN GLASSES ON, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENTS ON THE DASHBOARD, THE DISPLAY IS IN RED AND OBSCURED BY THE DARK GLASSES. CONSUMER HAS TO TEMPORARILY LIFT THE SUNGLASSES OR TAKE THEM OFF IN ORDER TO TELL THE SPEED AT WHICH HE WAS TRAVELING, NOT A RECOMMENDED MANEUVER AT 65 TO 70 MPH. *TT

DURING NORMAL DRIVING, WHEN YOU REMOVE FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR FOR GRADUAL SLOW-DOWN CAR WILL SOMETIMES HAVE SLIGHT TO MODERATE BURST OF SPEED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN RETURNED FOR SERVICE CHECK AND PONTIAC DEALER, BEFORE EVEN LOOKING AT CAR, STATED, THE TYPE OF PROBLEM DESCRIBED WOULD BE VERY HARD TO FIND. I SUGGESTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OR THE FUEL INJECTIONS, BUT OF COURSE THEY COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS PROBLEMS OR ACCIDENTS, BUT NO ONE FROM DEALER SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED.*AK

AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT SENSOR IS MOUNTED ON LEFT SIDE DASH. SHADOWS CAUSED BY LEFT SIDE ROOF PILLAR AND/OR TEXAS INSPECTION AND REGISTRATION STICKERS CAST SHADOWS OVER SENSOR AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY AND ORIENTATION OF THE SUN CAUSING HEADLIGHTS TO TURN ON WITH RESULTANT DIMMING OF DASH LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTS TO AN UN-READABLE LEVEL. THE EFFECT IS QUITE SHOCKING AND LEADS THE DRIVER TO INITIALLY BELIEVE THAT THE CAR HAS LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. DEALER HAS INDICATED NO KNOWN FIX HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. A SIMILAR SENSOR ON MY BUICK RENDEVOUS IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF THE DASH WHERE SHADOWS DON'T PRESENT SUCH A PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE CANNOT BE REFUELED IN A NORMAL AND SAFE MANNER. PUMP NOZZLE CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO FILLER NECK WHILE REFUELING. DOING SO, RESULTS IN AN IMMEDIATE BACK UP OF FUEL IN THE FILLER NEXT AND SPILLAGE ON GROUND AND ON INDIVIDUAL. PONTIAC SAYS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS MAKES CAR NEARLY UNUSABLE AND PRESENTS BOTH A HEALTH AND SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD. DEALER REPORTS NO FIX KNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK