2005 Pontiac Vibe: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Pontiac Vibe: 5 recalls, 301 owner complaints and up to 29 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #10V387000 · 2010 · 161,754 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V285000 · 2015 · 1,973,468 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V286000 · 2015 · 1,069,055 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V883000 · 2018 · 168,993 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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…
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V627000 · 2019 · 229,460 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag May not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Why it matters: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (174): the most common themes are warning light on (18), fails to deploy (8), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (7).
- Transmission & drivetrain (34): the most common themes are warning light on (16), hard / delayed shifting (14), stalls / loses power (12).
- Engine & cooling (33): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (16), warning light on (12).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (17): the most common themes are noise or vibration (6).
The 2005 Pontiac Vibe has 301 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 12 Vibe model years for complaints (1.9× the average Vibe year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (87 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 82,805 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (266 complaints, 7 recalls), 2006 (177 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 29 | 25 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Pontiac Vibe have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Pontiac Vibe problems?
Owners have filed 301 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (174), transmission & drivetrain (34), engine & cooling (33).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Pontiac Vibe get?
EPA ratings run up to 29 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Pontiac Vibe repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.