Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Pontiac Vibe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The secondary safety hood latch failed causing the hood to fly up and shatter the windshield while also obstructing visibility on the road. The complete obstruction of the windshield presented a dangerous situation putting myself and others at risk of death of severe injury. In addition this caused glass shards to enter the driver/passenger compartment if the vehical further presenting risk to the occupants. The secondary hood latch mechanism appears to be extremely rusted and stuck in the "open" position. I am aware the NHTSA has issued a recall for a similar defect in the past (Nissan affecting 1.9 million vehicles).
Recall on Pontiac Vibe # 07273a, May 28, 2008 I own a 2003 Pontiac Vibe, which has the above recall. The recall consists of defective bolts, which attach the front door windows to the window regulator. The recall states that the defective bolts could loosen and the window May become loose and shatter. The above-mentioned problem occurred to my Vibe January 8, 2008, before the recall was announced. The glass did drop out of the track and I brought it to a dealer for repair. The window glass was scratched when the window fell from the track. I have an extended warranty and the repair was completed but the glass was not covered. In early June I received a recall note on the Vibe describing the exact problem and brought the vehicle in to have the work completed. I advised the service consultant of the previous repair and showed him the scratch in the glass. …
I drove on a main hwy in a more remote location at about 100km when all the sudden I heard a big bang. After collecting myself I realized I could not see forward at all the back mirror was knocked of the windshield and the side mirrors where marginally usable due to too much water and salt on the roads. We barely missed a big truck that was oncoming. I managed to pull partially off the road to then pull down the hood so I could see where I was going after which I pulled over to the shoulder. A nice person pulled over and tied down the hood so we could drive to the next city to call caa and not get stuck on the hwy in the dark, a safer place to be. We made it, but we could have hit the oncoming truck just as easily, we came really close to hitting him head on judging by looking out the side window. …
My 2003 Pontiac Vibe was involved in safety recall 07273: "the bolts in the front door that attach the window to the window regulator May begin to loosen, resulting in a popping or clicking sound when the window is operated. The glass May shatter during window operation, which could cause possible injury." the date on the recall notice is May, 2008. The window on the driver's side of my vehicle was in fact making a "popping" sound when operated. I first scheduled an appt. With the Pontiac dealer (did not include name of dealer here, as instructions state not to include names) on June 20, 2008. My car was in service for 1 - 1 1/2 hours; however, when I received it back from the dealer, the window on the driver's still made the same "popping" sound when operated. The dealer agreed to look at the car again, and I took it back on July 22, 2008. …
There was a recall to replace bolts that hold the front windows onto the door window regulator of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe. I had the bolts replaced at the dealer, so the window would not shatter while driving or fall into the door frame. Well, replacing the bolts does not prevent this from happening. The window still fell into the door frame anyway and can shatter at anytime. The plastic clips that the replacement bolt screws into breaks easily which results in either the window shattering while driving and/or falling into the door frames. Therefore, the recall did not prevent this very unsafe event from happening. Please institute a recall for the plastic clips on the front windows to solve the problem that the initital recall was supposed to have addressed, but did not.
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
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.
Initial recall (#08V162000) for loose window bolts conducted in 2008. Recently noticed driver side front door window again loose and rattling when window is part way down (as before with original recall in 2008). Concern is the window glass could become disengaged from lifting track and shatter resulting in distracting the driver and possible accident.
Dt*: the consumer stated the dashboard lights were not bright enough during bright sunny days. The gauges were digital and unable to be read. The dealership and manufacturer determined there was no repair available since this is how the vehicle was manufactured. Updated 2/28/2006 -
2003 Pontiac viber. While driving on the intersatate today at 70 MPH no over hanging objects, no cars insight, sunroof explodes, showering glass on us, and startling us with loud nosie. Has anyone else experienced this. Thanks
Body complaints in other Vibe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe, 8% of the model year's 298 complaints. The component named most often is body (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Pontiac Vibe body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2003 Pontiac Vibe, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Pontiac Vibe body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 46% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.