Pontiac Vibe Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Pontiac Vibe across 8 model years. The 2003 model year has the most (74). The words owners use most often: “side window” (39% of reports).
- 176visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 16mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $450typical repair cost reported by owners
- 31%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Side window: mentioned in 68 of 176 complaints (39%)
- Front driver: mentioned in 18 of 176 complaints (10%)
- Visibility glass: mentioned in 16 of 176 complaints (9%)
- Off track: mentioned in 16 of 176 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility repair on the Pontiac Vibe at $450, and half of them between $390 and $590.
Based on 17 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2010), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 133 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 176 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 16 an injury.
Pontiac Vibe visibility complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Model years: 2009, 2010
Problem: Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. During the manufacturing of the Power Window Master Switch (PWMS), grease lubricant may have been inconsistently applied to the sliding electrical contacts.
Risk: If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch assembly may overheat and melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 20, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is C0M.
Visibility:power window devices and controls
Model years: 2009
Problem: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The power window master switch assemblies in some of these vehicles were built using a less precise process for lubricating the internal components of the switch assemblies. Irregularities in this lubrication process may cause the power window master switch assemblies to malfunction and overheat.
Risk: If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge. Toyota owners that experience a problem with a switch should not attempt to make repairs, but should contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331. General Motors will contact the Pontiac Vibe owners affected by this recall and GM dealers will inspect and repair switches as necessary. Those owners may contact Pontiac Customer Care at 1-800-762-2737.
Visibility:glass, side/rear
Model years: 2003, 2004
Problem: Toyota is recalling 662,178 my 2003-2004 corolla, corolla matrix and pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with power windows. The driver and front passenger door glass bolts may loosen and come off, causing the door glass to separate from the window regulator. Due to the components becoming loose and possibly rattling, an abnormal noise may be heard from the driver and /or front passenger door when operating the power windows.
Risk: The door glass may separate from the window regulator, bind and shatter during operation of the power windows, causing driver distraction and/or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger door glass bolts with newly designed bolts free of charge. The recall began on april 16, 2008 to toyota owners. The recall began on may 21, 2008, for pontiac owners. Owners may contact toyota at 1-888-270-9371 or pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING WITH THE REAR DEFROSTER ACTIVATED, THE REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUPIENT BUICK/GMC (7100 WAYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS GOING DOWN, A CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (H&H BUICK, 3400 S. EXPRESSWAY ST., COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA, [redacted]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS FAULTY AND…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 10V024000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 12V491000 (VISIBILITY), 14V168000 (AIR BAGS), AND 16V340000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE, VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, AND ABS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (JONES BUICK GMC TRUCK LOCATED AT 1335 MANHEIM PIKE, LANCASTER, PA 17601…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac vibe. While closing the driver side window, the window shattered without warning and the pieces struck the contact's face. The contact stated that pieces of glass stuck to her face and required medical attention. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Pontiac Vibes have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 176 owner complaints about visibility for the Pontiac Vibe. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Pontiac Vibe visibility?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix visibility problems on the Pontiac Vibe?
Owners report a typical cost of $450 (half paid between $390 and $590), from 17 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Pontiac Vibe?
The most frequent phrase is “side window”, in 68 of 176 complaints, followed by “front driver” (18).
Other Pontiac Vibe problems
- Air Bags problems (1,012)
- Power Train problems (136)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (118)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (101)
See all Pontiac Vibe problems.