2007 Pontiac Vibe Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  4

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  16%
• 25k–50k
  424%
• 50k–75k
  529%
• 75k–100k
  424%
• 100k–150k
  212%
• 150k+
  16%

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 received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V387000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

There were two incidents. 1. I was pulling into a parking spot at a Walmart driving very slowly, to almost reach the parking sign when the vehicle revved and lurched forward. I had to put my full pressure on the brake pedal, and eventually shifted to neutral and the revving subsided. I turned the car off and looked at the floor mat, which was in its usual position, and did not seem to be interfering with the pedal. Since this had not happened before, I rationalize that perhaps my foot had been on both the brake and accelerator. But I did not notice that my foot had slipped at all, and it was definitely on the brake when the revving occurred. 2. Today, my wife called me to tell me she had experienced the same revving while she was parking.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the wires that connected from the fuse box to the electronic control module were melted and causing the exterior parking brake to become inoperative. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised by the dealer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 80,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact was driving approximately 40 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. After repeated attempts, she was able to restart the vehicle with the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the computer for the engine and the battery were replaced. Although there was a recall for the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) the contact was informed by the manufacturer that her VIN was not included in the recall. The failure did not recur. In addition, while the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, the contact was informed by the mechanic that the protective shield for the fuel line had fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where it was repaired. This failure did not recur. …

I was driving the car and was stopped in heavy traffic. The car started shaking very badly and trying to move forward, although the brakes were pressed all the way down. This has happened again occasionally, and have noticed a pattern of when I am stopped for about 10-25 minutes the car starts violently shaking and feels like the brakes are about to give way, although they are being fully pressed. Again, this is not just a vibration, this is the entire front of the car (engine and all) almost bucking out of position. When this happened the first time, it almost hit the car in front of me even though my foot was pressed all the way down on the brake. Another issue, which can become a safety issue is the car is leaking from the rain outside into the vehicle by the frame (drips). …

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling). After having the vehicle repaired, the check engine light continued to illuminate on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. No repairs were performed. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 200,000. Updated 9/27/11 the consumer experience harsh shifting within the transmission. Also, the tail lights and dash lights failed. Updated 10/07/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling) before the contact owned the vehicle. The contact stated that the service engine light illuminated, the vehicle was slow to accelerate, and the vehicle stalled several times. The vehicle was taken in for an annual inspection and a code indicated a failure or malfunction with the ECM. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and the code was reset more than once. The code continued to display and the vehicle was not able to pass an inspection a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Tl contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that in September of 2010 she received a recall notice in reference to NHTSA campaign id number (10V387000-engine and engine cooling). When she received the letter it stated that they would send another letter when the parts were available. After receiving the notice and driving at various speeds her vehicle started to stall. The engine warning light had illuminated on the instrumental panel after the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that she needed to replace the power train control module. The vehicle was repaired per the warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000 updated 07/01/11

This vehicle was driving down the road at highway speed and failed to respond to throttle. There was lots of traffic and this nearly caused an accident. The part that failed is the ECM/PCM and gave a code: p0604 and p0607. This part has recalls which apply to it, however, our manufacturer says the vehicle is not covered by this recall. If there is a recall on some of the vehicles how can the others be perfectly fine? The year coverage is from before and after this model year and yet only certain cars of this time frame are covered? Stay away from these vehicles. They will kill you, they are unsafe and unreliable. Major safety hazard.

Ntsb campaign 10V387000 we bought the car used. Within a week ck engine light came on. Scan returned code p0741. Possible cause defective ECM which controls torque cov solenoid. Took to GM dealer. They said a recall and TSB showed the ECM should be replaced. When they looked at ECM, said it had already been replaced under recall campaign, and they would only replace one time. Reset code, came back on a few weeks later. Is there any way ntsb can require they repair same defective part required under recall a second time? Especially if causing same problem and code as the recall was required for?

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Vibe years