Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Air bags failed to deploy and vehicle is not available for inspection. Vehicle was a total loss and is in the proces of becoming proprty of Copart.com for auction (I assume). I hit my head very hard from the T-bone type of collision and my side airbags did not deploy. I have a severe concussion and internal brain bleed. ICU stay was required. Problem was confirmed by the police report, etc. Nothing has been inspected to the best of my knowledge in any great detail (I assume). No warning lamps, messgaes, or other symptoms prior to the failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving 15 MPH, after opening the driver side window via the power window controls located on the driver's side door panel, smoke appeared from the door panel. There were no warning indicators illuminated. When the contact restarted the vehicle, the smoke disappeared. An independent mechanic informed the contact of a recall involving the power window control unit. The dealer removed the door panel and diagnosed that there was a fire inside of the driver side door panel. The power window control unit also needed replacement. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The contact mentioned that he did not receive the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 12V491000 (visibility). The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the exterior door handle on both the front driver side door and the rear passenger side door fractured and detached from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was invalid.
Car was parked all day. When I returned to the car I started it, rolled down the front (power) windows, left it in park to retrieve something outside the car for 5 minutes. Returned and the inside driver door was in flames.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle slid and crashed into a wall. The contact mentioned that the passenger side air bag deployed, but the seat was not being occupied. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. While the front driver's side window was going down, a clunking sound was heard. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (h&h Buick, 3400 s. Expressway st., council bluffs, ia, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the window regulator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 95,500. Consumer stated the previous recall notice was accomplished in May of 2017 but window problems were present after that was done. The dealer replaced the window regulator but it did not solve the problem. My drivers side still clunks when window is rolled down and it sounds like window could break at some point, this should not happen and is danderous. Replacing the belts on the original recall worked for a time but it came back. …
The secondary safety hood latch failed causing the hood to fly up and shatter the windshield while also obstructing visibility on the road. The complete obstruction of the windshield presented a dangerous situation putting myself and others at risk of death of severe injury. In addition this caused glass shards to enter the driver/passenger compartment if the vehical further presenting risk to the occupants. The secondary hood latch mechanism appears to be extremely rusted and stuck in the "open" position. I am aware the NHTSA has issued a recall for a similar defect in the past (Nissan affecting 1.9 million vehicles).
Recall on Pontiac Vibe # 07273a, May 28, 2008 I own a 2003 Pontiac Vibe, which has the above recall. The recall consists of defective bolts, which attach the front door windows to the window regulator. The recall states that the defective bolts could loosen and the window May become loose and shatter. The above-mentioned problem occurred to my Vibe January 8, 2008, before the recall was announced. The glass did drop out of the track and I brought it to a dealer for repair. The window glass was scratched when the window fell from the track. I have an extended warranty and the repair was completed but the glass was not covered. In early June I received a recall note on the Vibe describing the exact problem and brought the vehicle in to have the work completed. I advised the service consultant of the previous repair and showed him the scratch in the glass. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Vibe years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (24), 2004 (24), 2005 (6) and 2009 (5) model years. Body complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Vibe body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Pontiac Vibe model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Pontiac Vibe body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles; 56% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (22 mentions), followed by the body › door (6).
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.