2005 Pontiac Vibe Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Mar 19, 2025 · 301 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Vibe years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 12 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 301 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Pontiac Vibe. That ranks 2nd out of 12 Vibe model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (174 complaints, 58%), typically at around 117,850 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 1 fire, 9 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.

Pontiac Vibe
2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe photographed in Washington, D.C. , USA.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2005 Pontiac Vibe problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags174 · ~117,850 mi
Power Train34 · ~99,400 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling33 · ~91,255 mi
Visibility17 · ~54,230 mi
Electrical System15 · ~93,510 mi
Engine11 · ~135,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control8 · ~28,000 mi
Steering6 · ~55,000 mi
Structure6 · ~45,000 mi
Tires6 · ~23,972 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems17458%117,850“takata air bags” (20%)—
Power Train3411%99,400——
Engine and Engine Cooling3311%91,255——
Visibility176%54,230——
Electrical System155%93,510——
Engine114%135,000——
Vehicle Speed Control83%28,000——
Steering62%55,000——
Structure62%45,000——
Tires62%23,972——
Latches/locks/linkages41%68,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic31%82,805——
Fuel System, Gasoline21%86,755——
Seat Belts21%163,783——
Service Brakes21%128,250——
Suspension21%23,972——
Unknown or Other21%97,000——
Exterior Lighting10%10——
I Suspect the Car Seat Is Counterfeit10%———
Insert, Padding10%———
Other/i Am Not Sure10%———
Tether, Lower Anchor (on Car Seat or Vehicle)10%———
Visibility/wiper10%215,000——
Wheels10%35,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2015, with 87 complaints
2005: 1020052006: 82007: 920072008: 152009: 620092010: 312011: 2020112012: 32013: 320132014: 122015: 872015872016: 302017: 920172018: 42019: 2220192020: 242021: 220212022: 12023: 120232024: 32025: 12025

n = 301 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2005 Pontiac Vibe recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleAug 28, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V627000 · 229,460 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.

Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleDec 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V883000 · 168,993 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.

Air bagsMay 13, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V285000 · 1,973,468 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 Sequoia, 2005-2006 Tundra, 2003-2007 Corolla, 2003-2007 Corolla Matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus SC vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.

Air bagsMay 13, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V286000 · 1,069,055 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus SC, Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix, Toyota Corolla, Pontiac Vibe, and Toyota Tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas that were not previously included. The inflators in the front passenger air bags are susceptible to rupture in the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front passenger air bag.

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.

Engine and engine coolingAug 26, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V387000 · 161,754 vehicles

Problem: Gm is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 pontiac vibe vehicles. The engine control module (ecm) for the subject models equipped with the 1zz-fe (lv6) engine and two-wheel drive may have been improperly manufactured. There is a possibility that a crack may develop at certain solder points or on varistors on the circuit board.

Risk: There are a variety of warnings and consequences associated with the defect. The engine warning lamp could be illuminated, harsh shifting could result, the engine may not start, or the engine could shut off while the vehicle is being driven. An engine shutoff while the vehicle is being driven increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the production number of the ecm and replace the ecm if necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 8, 2011. Owners may contact gm at 1-800-620-7668.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA15001) — opened Feb 24, 2015, still open, led to recall 14V668.
  • Air Bag Inflator Rupture (PE14016) — opened Jun 11, 2014, closed Mar 2, 2015, led to recall 13V172000.
  • Engine Stall (EA10006) — opened Aug 18, 2010, closed Sep 16, 2010, led to recall 10V384000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Product Safety Alert: Mar 19, 2025 Stop using the following item because of a potential safety issue. Visit the public recall notice for more guidance. Evenflo GoTime LX Booster Car Seat (Chardon Black) Important safety information We write to notify you of a potential safety concern with a product…

Insert, Padding · received Mar 19, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11649236

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V285000 (Air Bags); and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.

Air Bags · received Sep 27, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11616932

The contact owned a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V883000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.

Air Bags · received Aug 27, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11611091

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the doors locked independently. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact stated that on the last occasion, the doors locked independently while her daughter was inside the…

Latches/locks/linkages · received Jul 9, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11600614

The contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V883000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact…

Air Bags · received Oct 6, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11548717

Other Pontiac Vibe years

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See all Pontiac Vibe problems by year, every Pontiac model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Vibe?

Owners most often report air bags, power train, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 174 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Pontiac Vibe?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2005 Pontiac Vibe a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Vibe model years, the 2005 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.