Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Pontiac Vibe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 2005 Pontiac Vibe and since 2009 my car has been losing cooling and has a burning smell. Over the past 6 years I've taken the vehicle to numerous repair shops to resolve the issue with no results. In 2010 I there was a engine recall on this vehicle and I don't believe my car was properly serviced. Today I still have the burning smell, since the recall repair I've taken it to repair shops without results and have to refill my cooling 3 - 4 times a month. The service centers have said theirs no leak but there could be a temperature issue that burns the cooling but no one in the past 6 years has been able to fix it and the smell is getting worst.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle was difficult to shift and stalled. The contact also stated that the check engine warning light illuminated.the vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the electronic control unit, the fuel pump, and the driving belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The spouse of the contact restarted the vehicle and drove the vehicle to a safe place where the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure but provided no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that when the key was turned in the ignition to the on position, the engine made an abnormal noise before starting. Also, when the engine was running, the entire vehicle vibrated intensely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the service was refused. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 185,000.
The torque converter clutch switch is stuck off. Car is losing power not shifting up or down as it should. Oxygen sensor bank 1 says lean. Its as if its not pulling in enough air. To push power. Idles rough. Electrical issue or computer issue. Not sureas if im at stop light it shakes badly while slowing down leting off the gas. Or braking.
On two separate incidents, the engine has stalled and shut off while driving. Both times the car was coasting downhill when this happened. After pulling over and stopping, the engine restarted fine. It seems to match the description for recall 10V387000, although that was issued only for 1zz engines and this is a 2zz engine.
I was driving on the highway going approximately 65 MPH and the car just started to slow down in the middle of the freeway. I pulled over safely and waited for tow service because the car would not start. Over the next few days I repeatedly tried to start the car and it would not start. The consumer stated the recall that was performed on the vehicle failed, as the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle started to idle harshly. When the consumer called the dealer, about the vehicle being repaired, she was informed any additional repairs would not be covered under the recall, even though she was experiencing problems directly related to the recall. The consumer took the vehicle to a local mechanic, where she was informed a code of p0440 and p0441, were related to the PCM, which he believed was the fuel pump causing the readings. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs. The contact stated that the dealer replaced the power train control module instead of the ECM as stated in the recall. After repairs, the vehicle would shutter and shake abnormally and often times, would stall when shifting from reverse to drive with the illumination of the entire instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was advised that the transmission would need replacing. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was informed that they could make one repair under the recall and any further repairs would be at his expense. …
2005 Pontiac Vibe PCM failure. Engine light came on, and the transmission began shifting very hard. Engine code p2716. I have read numerous reports where people are told by dealerships to replace the transmission, and after doing so the symptoms still occur. After finally replacing the PCM, the issues were resolved. That means $4000 in wasted repairs. I have contacted GM with case 71-902887626. The car only shifts poorly when the engine light is on, so it seems logical that the issue is electrically related. (PCM) so far GM has denied that the PCM in this car is affected by the "current" recall. A monkey can put two and two together in this situation. I writing this for other Vibe owners who get the run around with GM and their dealership.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, she noticed that the check engine and emissions lights illuminated and she was unable to accelerate. She took a picture of the lights, turned off the vehicle and restarted it. When she restarted it, the lights were still illuminated but the contact was able to accelerate. After driving the vehicle home, the light turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the ECM was defective. The contact called the manufacturer and was told that the vehicle was not included in recall 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling). The current mileage was 72,459. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations
Engine Stall
On August 26, 2010, Toyota submitted a Defect Information Report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding problems with Engine Control Modules that could result in engine stall while driving in certain model year (MY) 2005 through 2008 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive and manufactured between April 19, 2004 and…
Engine complaints in other Vibe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2005 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2005 Pontiac Vibe, 14% of the model year's 301 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Pontiac Vibe engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-387 (engine and engine cooling, Aug 26, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac Vibe engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 94,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
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.