Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 8 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

8 total · 8 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V024000 · Jan 2018

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

Remedy
Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, or replace the air bag assembly. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 18V025000 · Jan 2018

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

Remedy
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 29, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A), J0A (Matrix Zone A).
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 16V340000 · May 2016

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy
Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator or the air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), G2G (Lexus Zone A), and G2H (Lexus Zone B). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), GLG (Lexus Zone A), and GLH (Lexus Zone B).
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Body & glass recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 15V689000 · Oct 2015

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.

Remedy
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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V168000 · Apr 2014

If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

Remedy
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V024000 · Jan 2010

A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy
GENERAL MOTORS WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN A RECALL REMEDY IS AVAILABLE FOR RECALL 10038: FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. GM REQUESTS THAT CUSTOMERS TAKE OUT ANY REMOVABLE (CARPETED, ALL-WEATHER, OR OTHER) DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT AND NOT REPLACE IT WITH ANY OTHER FLOOR MAT, AND PLACE IT IN THE TRUNK UNTIL THE FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL RECALL REMEDY IS READY AND IMPLEMENTED. IN THE EVENT THAT OWNERS CHOOSE NOT TO TAKE OUT THEIR REMOVABLE FLOOR MAT, GENERAL MOTORS STRONGLY RECOMMENDS THAT OWNERS USE ONLY FLOOR MATS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE MODEL AND MODEL YEAR OF THEIR VEHICLE, AND THAT IT IS PROPERLY INSTALLED AND SECURED. DO NOT USE A MAT THAT IS FLIPPED OVER WITH THE BOTTOM-SIDE UP, AND DO NOT STACK ONE FLOOR MAT OVER ANOTHER. IN ADDITION, CHECK THE OPERATION OF THE ACCELERATOR, BRAKE, AND CLUTCH (IF APPLICABLE) PEDALS TO ASSURE THAT THE FLOOR MAT DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 10V018000 · Jan 2010

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BAR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE PEDAL TO OPERATE SMOOTHLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN EARLY FEBRUARY AND BE COMPLETED IN LATE APRIL 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Brakes recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 09V392000 · Aug 2009

THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL ADVISORY LETTER WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

58 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
11

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 4sudden stalling 3fluid leaks 2
A recent report: BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL. SAME ENGINE AS THE TOYOTA 2AZ-FE. GM WILL NOT HONOR EXTENDED WARRENTY

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11151966 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: VSC OFF STABILITY INDICATOR - TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TCS WARNING LIGHTS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS GO ON INDICATE SYSTEM FAILURE IN THE RAIN OR AFTER A EXTENDED SPELL OF VERY HUMID WEATHER. WHILE DASH…
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VSC OFF STABILITY INDICATOR - TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TCS WARNING LIGHTS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS GO ON INDICATE SYSTEM FAILURE IN THE RAIN OR AFTER A EXTENDED SPELL OF VERY HUMID WEATHER. WHILE DASH LIGHTS ARE ON THERE IS NO ANTILOCK OR STABILITY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11123898 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

loss of braking 2loss of steering 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY SOLID IN HAWAII, BUT WAS REGISTERED IN ILLINOIS AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY SOLID IN HAWAII, BUT WAS REGISTERED IN ILLINOIS AND SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V392000 (SERVICES BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM). THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL, BUT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOW REGISTERED IN A STATE LISTED AS AN AFFECTED STATE ON THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10449519 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
4

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 1premature wear 1
A recent report: THE STEERING WHEEL RATTLES BADLY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AND ALSO WHEN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL SIDE TO SIDE WHILE STATIONARY. ALSO SHUDDERS WHEN BRAKING.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11244493 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
30

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 3 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3electrical shorts 1
A recent report: 2010 PONTIAC VIBE STRUCK VEHICLE THAT CROSSED INTO RIGHT OF WAY OF PONTIAC VIBE AT 25 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT DASHBOARD NOR DID SEAT BELT LOCK UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE UNDERWENT…
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2010 PONTIAC VIBE STRUCK VEHICLE THAT CROSSED INTO RIGHT OF WAY OF PONTIAC VIBE AT 25 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT DASHBOARD NOR DID SEAT BELT LOCK UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE UNDERWENT AIRBAG INFLATOR REPLACEMENT MAY 24TH 2018 PER RECALL #17477 PARTS 77204 AS LISTED ON REPAIR INVOICE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11286297 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
2

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 2
A recent report: UPON PURCHASING A USED PONTIAC VIBE I NOTICED THE REAR WIPER WAS INOPERABLE. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT DID NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I REPLACED THE MOTOR WITH A REFURBISHED ONE FROM AN AUTO PARTS…
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UPON PURCHASING A USED PONTIAC VIBE I NOTICED THE REAR WIPER WAS INOPERABLE. I CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT DID NOT REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. I REPLACED THE MOTOR WITH A REFURBISHED ONE FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE, YET THE REAR WIPER IS STILL INOPERABLE. A RATTLING NOISE IS ALSO COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. I WILL TAKE IT TO A GMC DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10694470 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
6

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration.

unintended acceleration 2
A recent report: The air conditioning vents spew out white dusty powder which is suspscted to be aluminum oxide, a known carcinogenic.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11480855 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 58 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2022, roughly 5 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.