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 2009 Pontiac Vibe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
TSB 0158-14 IS a Toyota engine that was also used in General Motors Pontiac vibe in 2009 and 2010 The tsb has to do with oil consumption and a tsb was made for Toyota. Not for Pontiac as a result my Pontiac is now consuming oil every 1000kms As they both used the 2Az-FE 2.4 engine
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Toyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine in my 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT suffers from excessive oil consumption due to a known piston ring defect. The rapid oil loss between changes puts the engine at risk of failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue poses a serious safety risk because: 1.Oil levels drop unpredictably, increasing the risk of sudden engine failure while driving, which could lead to accidents. 2.No dashboard warning appears when oil is low, making it difficult to detect before damage occurs. 3.Toyota acknowledged this defect under Warranty Enhancement ZE7, but Pontiac Vibe owners were excluded, despite having the same Toyota-manufactured engine. …
Without warning oil consumption went from normal to over 1 quart per 1000 miles. This is a known defect whichtoyota notified its customers of, GM choose not to notify. This excessive consumption, not leaking resulted in a seized engine. GM is not accepting any responsibility and I believe they owe me either a full repair, or pre-event market value. While they originally offered to cover 2/3 of the repair they have backed away from that offer offering a $2500 customer loyalty on a purchase, both are unsatisfactory to me, as they were made aware of the problem and chose not to notify owners. Car with passenger was in the hoa lane when engine failed causing a 7 lane transition without power. Car was towed, no crash due to the experience of the driver.
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.
For the past year, the vehicle has exhibited excessive oil consumption requiring one quart of oil per every 1000 miles. Consumption is greater in the winter (closer to one quart every 800 miles). This vehicle is equipped with the 2.4 liter engine - the same as the Toyota matrix and corolla. Toyota has issued a warranty enhancement (ze7) and TSB recognizing this defect - so far GM has not done anything. (I have been in contact with GM.) at a minimun, GM should match Toyota's actions. The estimated repair cost to replace the pistons/rings with a better design is >$4000.
Starting about 80,000 mile my car started consuming oil of greater than 1 quart every 1000 miles. Now at 160,000 miles it consumes 1 quart every 500 miles. I have the 2.4 l 4 cylinder engine that came fairly standard with this model year. I have seen this complaint alot on web pages. My rav 4 2006 with the same engine had the same consumption problem. Toyota did an extended warranty on this problem for the rav 4 and I think GM should do the same for my vehicle. Toyota has an advisor out for the sister car the matrix for the same model year.
My 2009 Pontiac Vibe 2.4l engine had excessive oil burning and it went from bad to worse in a matter of days. I had it looked at and the piston rings were faulty, which then LED to my engine seizing, and also my seat belt buckle which connects to the seat will not latch in the drivers side in the drivers chair and and also the drivers side passenger seat which is major safety hazard. My engine was maintained every 3000 miles with oil changes and it has 154,000 miles on it.
The dashboard warning lights came on. The lights did not provide enough warning time to allow my husband to pull off the interstate (and turn off the car) before the engine overheated and was destroyed because of a damaged water pump. The vehicle was serviced on the same day (transmission drain/fill and tire rotation) and there was no earlier warning that there was an issue with the water pump.
Excessive oil consumption, defective piston rings. The 2009 pointiac Vibe gt shares the same engine as the 2009 Toyota matrix. The engines were manufactured in the same plant. Toyota has issued a warranty enhancement program ' ze7, to fix the premature wear of the defective piston rings. GM has not issued as similar fix (as of March 2017). Pontiac owners are responsible for cost of the repair.
Engine complaints in other Vibe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, 7% of the model year's 528 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Pontiac Vibe engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Pontiac Vibe engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.