Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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.
I been trying to get the recalls to be fix but both the dealers and GM haven't been able to help due to parts discontinued, I been trying to get this issued resolve for a year or so. I need help please, they just keep saying that all recalls on this vehicle don't have the parts for it and don't know what else to do.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe purchased new. He stated while driving at speeds of 50 MPH on a cloudy day, a deer ran out into the highway in front of his vehicle. He depressed the brakes but the brakes would not engage. The contact struck the deer, killing it instantly. The police were called to the scene and a report was filed. There was moderate damage to the front-end of the vehicle. There was a recall campaign on the service brakes (NHTSA campaign id number: 09V392000; component: service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum), however his VIN was not included. No repairs were made to date. The failure mileage was 1700 and the current was 12,812. The VIN was not accepted.
Repeated front brake repairs to stop heavy vibration when applying brakes. Vibration is extreme in the steering column and the stick shift, and sometimes throughout the car. Repairs were done 3 times in 18 months, and it keeps coming back within a month after repairs. I never brake hard to cause this. Transmission repeatedly pops out of 5th gear during acceleration, reportedly caused by defective or broken synchronizer. Had to replace transmission.
When coming to a stop, occasionally the vehicle will lunge forward. I have noticed this on many, many occasions since purchasing the car in July 11. When coming to a fast stop (such as when someone pulls out in front of you or someone suddenly stops in front of you -- ABS is not being used as these are not panic stops) the brakes will work as they should until the car is almost stopped and then the car will lunge forward and I suddenly need to apply more force to the brakes to make the car stop. I suspect that the computer in the car is using engine braking to assist in slowing down the car and when the car hits a certain speed (or some other variable) the engine braking is turned off which causes the amount of pressure that I need to apply to the brakes to suddenly increase which gives the impression that the car is lunging forward. …
Periodically (once or twice per month) the anti-lock brakes, traction control, and vehicle stability control will stop working for a few minutes. When it happens, the warning lights all go on. I tested the function in a slippery parking lot, so know the various features stop working when these lights go on. I looked in the internet and found several people have the same issue. They have been told it is everything from a bad gas cap to a connector on the brake sensor to a cracked computer circuit board. I asked my dealer at the time about it, and they said realistically if it only happens for a couple minutes and then might not happen for a month, they don't know what's causing it nor even if they would have fixed it. I called Pontiac and they said they never heard of the problem and told me to take it to a dealer and let them look at it. …
Various lights come on in the dashboard, I forget now exactly which lights, but I think it was the ABS light, the vsc light, and the traction control light. This happens only for a few minutes in a month or so. When it happens, the abc, vsc, and traction control do not work (I tested it in a snowy parking lot). I went to salentine Pontiac a couple years ago, and they said that since it is so intermittent, they are not really likely to be able to find the source of the problem, nor know if they would have fixed it. I contacted Pontiac via e-mail and phone, and was told they have no idea what the problem is, and have never even heard of such a thing. Looking on the internet, I found several other people with the same problem. Now I see there is a recall involving exactly this issue, but it is apparently only for the Pontiac g6. It seems unlikely that the Vibe problem is not related. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that he has received three recall notices; NHTSA campaign id number: 09V392000, component: service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum; NHTSA campaign id number: 10V018000, vehicle speed control accelerator pedal; NHTSA campaign id number: 10V024000, floor mats. He has never had a safety issue associated with these recalls. The contact has tried to make appointments to have the remedies performed, but the dealer stated that they do not have the parts for any of the recalls. The first recall notice arrived in October 2009 and the others arrived in February 2010. The contact notified the manufacturer and they informed the contact that the dealer will not order the parts until he brings it in for diagnostics. …
I own a 2009 Vibe . Recall has been completed re: sudden acceleration. They removed drivers floor mat over a year ago. I had first episode today. Fortunately it was at about 10mph. When I engaged the brake the engine revved and the brake pulsated like the anti-lock feature had been activated. The engine revved for 3 to 4 seconds the car accelerated. When the engine revving stopped the brake engaged properly and the car stopped. Fortunately I was on a street where the speed limit was 25 MPH and I had coasted down to about 10-15 MPH approaching the stop sign. Had this been a high speed or emergency stop the results could have been deadly. Please contact me about this as this vehicle is not safe to drive. I will also be contacting the NHTSA. The above is a copy of information I sent to general motors via their Pontiac web site.
Experienced a momentary loss of braking while going over a bump at a moderate speed. The single occurrence happened when going through an intersection bump, on a very cold and rainy day. My foot was on the brake, slowing down through the intersection (approx. 35 MPH) and hit the bump. The brake pedal immediately went to the floor with no apparent braking. I believe the anti-lock brake light turned on during the brake loss, but it happened so fast I can't say it did for certain. A moment later I released the brake and pressed it and the brakes were back to normal. This incident occurred approximately 1 year ago, and has not happened since. I purchased the car new about 20 months ago. Make Pontiac model Vibe year 2009 engine 1.8 liter transmission manual.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with 1.8l engine and originally sold in or currently registered in the states of alaska, colorado, idaho, illinois, iowa, kansas, maine, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, nevada, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, south dakota,…
Remedy: Dealers will modify the brake vacuum line free of charge. A special advisory letter will be sent to owners of vehicles registered in all other states in the same time frame.
Brake complaints in other Vibe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, 4% of the model year's 528 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Pontiac Vibe brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-392 (vacuum, Aug 31, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Pontiac Vibe brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 21,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes 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.