Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Pontiac Vibe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the air bag had been previously replaced however, the air bag warning light illuminated after the replacement of the air bag. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the air bag inflators failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V627000 (Air Bags), 18V883000 (Air Bags), 15V285000 (Air Bags) and 15V286000 (Air Bags). The dealer had been contacted and it was confirmed that the VIN was not included in any of the recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated there were recalls for the air bags then referred the contact back to the dealer. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
My vehicle is part of the Takata Airbag Recall. I had a light come on for the airbag on the dash but the passenger light remains working condition prior to the fix. When I had the fix completed the light was cleared and reset but still comes on after driving for a few minutes. My concern is that the repair in a situation like this is incomplete. The whole safety system is in default if a light is illuminated on the dash. Meaning New or Not my system on a vehicle made to last 100,000s of thousands of miles and regarded as such when maintened should not be ignored when it can save lives and should work properly for the life of the vehicle. They replaced my passenger side airbag but refused to do a diagnostic or repair on the rest without paying for it. …
Manufacturer is unable to remedy NHSTA Recall # 15V 285, also known as GM Manufacturer Recall # N 140491. It was brought to the GM Dealership, T&T Coast 2205 Highway 35, Sea Girt NJ 08750 THREE times. The first time they could not properly install an airbag, claiming the airbag they were trying to install was defective. The 2nd time another new airbag was installed but the SRS/Airbag dashboard light went on and would not go off. The THIRD time the dealership ran a OBD scan (and charged me) only to say, yep Code B-1911 showed on the scanner --- this is an SRS AIRBAG failure. They refused to fix it. UPDATE 06/29/2023- Consumer mailed in copy of invoice showing the issue and no repair, case number with GM.
I have been attempting to complete the recall repair on my passenger airbag with my local A&T Chevrolet dealer in Sellersville, PA. Ive tried twice and each attempt was denied. The NHTSA website says to file a complaint or call their hotline if these repairs are denied.
The contact owned a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V627000 (Air Bags) and requested to be removed from the recall distribution list since the vehicle was totaled. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted.
The contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V286000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
My daughter was driving at a speed of 45 to 50 MPH on a road with a posted speed limit of 55 when another car hit a patch of ice while coming out of a driveway and slid into the road in front of her. My daughter could not stop in time and ran into the left front third part of the other car. The other car was considered totaled by their insurance company. The front of our car had significant damage so because of it's age and because we didn't have collision coverage I decided it wasn't worth trying to fix so it will be auctioned at a salvage yard. The reason for the complaint is that the driver side air bag did not deploy causing my daughter's face to hit the dash causing significant facial injuries. Almost everyone involved seemed to think that it was odd that the air bag did not deploy so we thought we should report it.
Takata recall was performed on 3/25/16. On 6/11/16, the owner of the vehicle (my mother) was driving on an interstate highway and struck another vehicle, which was stopped, during a heavy rainstorm. There was heavy damage to the front of the vehicle and the airbags did not deploy. The driver struck the steering wheel. The driver was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where the driver was treated, including x-rays, and released. Several people have commented about the fact that the airbags should have deployed in this type of collision. Due to the fact that there have been recalls on Takata air bags, including one involving the passenger airbag which has been completed on this vehicle, this should be looked into.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. While attempting to avoid a crash, the contact crashed into a ditch at 45 MPH. The driver's side air bag failed to deploy. The passenger side air bag deployed and metal fragments discharged. The front seat passenger sustained a fractured collar bone, neck, and back injuries that required medical attention. The contact sustained facial lacerations and a head and neck injury that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. A police report was not filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,563. See also 10731822.
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated. While driving 55 MPH, the contact attempted to avoid a crash and drove into a ditch. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained wrist and shoulder injuries. The passenger sustained a fractured collar bone that required medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 142,563. Updated 09/03/15 updated 11/06/2017 see also 10917921
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: 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,…
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004.
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
Air bags
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii,…
Remedy: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Vibe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2007 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA has 115 complaints about the air bags of the 2007 Pontiac Vibe, 67% of the model year's 172 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Pontiac Vibe airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-627 (inflator module, Aug 28, 2019); NHTSA recall 18V-883 (inflator module, Dec 12, 2018); NHTSA recall 15V-285 (air bags, May 13, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2007 Pontiac Vibe airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 135,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags 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.