Pontiac Vibe Acceleration Problems

Acceleration complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Accelerator pedal
  27

Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  4549%
• 25k–50k
  2426%
• 50k–75k
  910%
• 75k–100k
  55%
• 100k–150k
  44%
• 150k+
  55%

What owners report

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that she received recall repairs under NHTSA campaign id number 10V024000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal) and the dealer removed the drivers side floor mats to prevent possible unwanted acceleration. The contact was unsatisfied that the floor mat was removed and a replacement was not provided. The manufacturer was unable to provide an estimate of when a new floor mat would be available for the vehicle. The contact stated that it was important to keep the floor mat in the vehicle for safety reasons. There were no failures at this time. The mileage when the recall repair was performed was 3,000. The current mileage was 3,200. Updated 05/19/10.

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Pontiac Vibe. The contact was driving at a minimally low speed when the vehicle abnormally accelerated to 20 MPH. The contact stated that the brakes would not stop the vehicle and were also defective. The floor mat had caused the accelerator to become stuck and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was advised that the failure was caused by the acceleration failure as listed in NHTSA campaign id number: 10V024000 (vehicle speed control:accelerator pedal) however, the contact did not confirm if the vehicle was included in the recall. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. The current and failure mileage was 28,694.

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.

Feb 3, 2011 was the first occurrence. I put the car in reverse then pulled forward, turning the wheel to the right to give myself room to back up and turn my car so I could pull out onto a busy street going forward rather than backing out into traffic. I was going very slowly and applied the brakes when the car suddenly accelerated very fast. It ran up an 18" rock wall, pushing the brake did nothing, I turned the wheel to the right to avoid a tree while still trying to brake. The brake finally held. A tire was destroyed, it was replaced and taken to my mechanic who found no further damage and no reason for the acceleration. After leaving the mechanic I noticed that it seemed a bit jerky. Two days later I turned the car on while sitting in a parking lot with my foot on the brake, I was still in park so the car did not move, but it did accelerate. …

Tl contact owns a 2008 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving for 2 miles without touching the accelerator; she slowly applied the brakes and they made a loud clanking noise. While driving up hill in her driveway the vehicle was traveling about 20 MPH on it's own. The vehicle was not repaired. Diagnostic test have been performed on the vehicle several times for various reasons. The failure and current mileages were 18,500.

My wife was the driver. She had stopped to back up and swing into her normal parking spot. She had been parking in this spot for almost 5 years. The car suddenly accelerated from the stop and though she applied the brakes and parking brake, the car accelerated 40' through our bushes and knocked down the neighbors chain link fence before stopping. It stopped moving because the FWD wheels were off the ground as the knocked over bushes raised the car body up. I was taking a shower and heard the engine rev uncontrollably and gravel spraying everywhere. It was loud. We are afraid to drive the car and cannot in good conscience trade it in or sell it. No one was hurt this time, but if it does it again someone or more could be seriously injured or killed. She did not step on the gas. She was stopped in drive and about to put it into reverse when it just took off like it was possessed. …

Tl contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate. He was able to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal and turn the ignition off. He then re-started the vehicle and it began operating normally; however, the failure recurred and he was able to use the brakes to stop the vehicle. He took the vehicle to the dealership but was offered no assistance. He called the manufacturer and was instructed to take the vehicle to another dealership who informed him that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired to-date. The current mileage was approximately 84,000. The failure mileage was 12,014. Updated 03/01/10 the consumer stated he experienced shifting problems as well. There was excessive downshifting on a slight incline. Updated 09/14/10

Related recalls (2)