Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Pontiac Vibe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the vehicle speed control (VSC), ABS, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure; however, the independent mechanic replaced the heat shield. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Accelerates on its own from idle or low speeds. Was recalled on 2/8/2010 #2010018..and repaired on 6/21/ 2010. Approx. 2 years ago it started to "take off again". Grand Buick... Grandville MI advised there was no current recall. I'm waiting for GM to advise of a no charge to owner recall.
I was driving home from work this evening, which is about 25 minutes away from home, when my vsc, engine, and battery light came on. I was at a red light and was going to pull into to a grocery store lot. My car would not go into gear. I tried several times with no result. I was stuck in the turning lane of the intersection. I shut off the car and restarted it. I was able to turn into the parking lot and went around to turn back to my work parking lot, as soon as I stopped for a couple seconds, the car would not go into gear once again. I had to leave it in the lot overnight. When my friend came to tow it, he was able to put the car into gear with no issue. He took it to a local auto parts store and they ran the diagnostic codes. The codes stated that it was the transmission solenoid. …
Leaving a stop light in alpena michigan, the gas pedal began to go down and sped up the car by itself. I immediately turned off the key and let it slow down. Then turned the key on and it sped up by itself again!. This time I put it in neutral and the engine sped up rapidly to 4 to 5 thousand RPM. Once again I turned off the key and then on again and it seemed normal after that. The cruise control was off. The only thing that would cause this type of defect is a faulty cruise control!! No, the floor mat was not involved!! I purchased this auto from schafer Chevy of pinnconing michigan on 1/22/15. I feel these cars should be recalled immediately, as to how dangerous they really are. If my wife had been driving this car, I am sure she would have panicked and I hate to think of the result!!. I am stuck with this car, and will be the only driver since I know what to do if it happens again. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, an unexpected increase in the acceleration occurred without warning. The contact engaged the brake pedal; however the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. In addition, the air bags did not deploy. There were no personal injuries. A police report was filed in regards to the incident. The vehicle sustained severe damages and was towed to an authorized dealer for body repair. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of failure. Also, the vehicle was repaired for two recalls associated with NHTSA campaign id numbers 10V018000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal) and 10V024000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal). After the recall remedy repairs were performed, the unintended acceleration malfunction recurred on two different occasions. …
I was in the process of pulling into a parking space with my 2009 Pontiac Vibe. I had my foot on the brake pedal , within a foot of coming to a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated suddenly. The sudden acceleration jerked my wife's head and my head back. As the vehicle accelerated I pressed down on the brake pedal as hard as I could. The Vibe came to a stop on top of a snow bank and damage was done to the front of the Vibe. This was the first time the vehicle did this. The second time was also in a paved parking lot. I was pulling into a parking spot, I had my foot on the brake and just before I wanted to stop the Vibe accelerated suddenly, but, not as hard as the first time. I depressed the brake as hard as I could to stop the Vibe. The vehicle did not hit anything this time. This happened on feb. 13, 2010. No one was injured in either of the occurrences.
Sometimes when accelerating, it's slow to move, then a sudden jerk happens if I put pressure on the gas pedal. This happens when driving at lower speeds, I can be entering my garage or accelerating after a stop light or sign. Can be scary when it jerks during acceleration. The steering column is beginning to rattle and shake at about 45 miles sometime at lower speeds as well,a very rough ride on smooth pavement,feels like it's falling apart. The third issue has to do with the airbag indicator light staying on in both drivers and passenger sides while driving. When I went to dealer for an appointment it didn't happen but getting a diagnostic tomorrow for that. Bought the car used last year with about 37,000 miles,always serviced at the dealer where I purchased it. I now have a little over 53,000 miles on it at this time,just local diving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving between 45-50 MPH, the contact lost contact of the vehicle because the accelerator pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact quickly shifted into third gear, but it did not slow the vehicle down. The contact then shifted into neutral and the motor revved up to 7,000 rpms. The contact shifted back into drive, but the vehicle was still accelerating. The contact powered off the engine and coasted the vehicle into a driveway. The vehicle was restarted and the engine revved back up to 7,000 rpms. The contact powered off the vehicle a second time. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Pontiac vive. While driving into a parking space attempting to park the vehicle at 5 MPH when the gas pedal was engaged, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a fence. She received a ticket for careless driving. The insurance company towed the vehicle to the body shop. The vehicle will be repaired. She sustained fractured bones and the passenger received injuries to their chest, ribs and knee. The failure and the current mileage were 3,000. Updated 3/16/10 the consumer attempted to stop the vehicle, however the pedal went to the floor. The air bags did not deploy during the accident. Updated 05/11/10.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck in the depressed position. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three separate occasions; however, the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was previously serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 10V024000 (vehicle speed control), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Pontiac vibe passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Remedy: General motors will notify customers when a recall remedy is available for recall 10038: floor mat interference and accelerator pedal.
Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Pontiac vibe vehicles. Due to the manner in which the friction lever interacts with the sliding surface of the accelerator pedal inside the pedal sensor assembly, the sliding surface of the lever May become smooth during vehicle operation.
Remedy: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. This service will be performed free of charge.
Acceleration complaints in other Vibe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, 11% of the model year's 528 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Pontiac Vibe acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-024 (accelerator pedal, Jan 27, 2010); NHTSA recall 10V-018 (accelerator pedal, Jan 21, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Pontiac Vibe acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 56% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.