Steering complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2010 Pontiac Vibe. While driving approximately 40 MPH and accelerating around a curb the vehicle jerked to the right violently. The contact was able to control the vehicle, it was taken to the dealer where the technicians were unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The contact stated the failure occurred a second time while driving approximately 70 MPH on the highway. The anti lock brakes locked and the vehicle would slide while the brakes were applied. The contact stated the vehicle flipped over while driving down a hill. The air bags did not deploy. The contact and the passenger sustained bumps, bruises, and scratches and were transported to the hospital by ambulance where they were released with no major injuries. A police report was filed. The contact stated there were visible skid marks on the road where the vehicle was sliding. …
There is a persistent rattle coming from directly behind the steering wheel. Especially noticeable at speeds <35 MPH and/or driving over bumpy pavement. When the rattle is occurring, the steering column feels like it oscillating very quickly.
The contact called on behalf of her sister who owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that while her sister was driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle was making an abnormal noise and the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The contact was notified of an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 64,000.
The steering rack and intermediate shaft in the steering wheel Go bad and what happens is it makes having an alignment impossible Not only that but the vehicle clunks with every turn [redacted] Being a Pontiac it was a joint venture between Toyota And GM Thus Affecting many Toyota Corolla Prius and matrix As Toyota got a recall Pontiac did not
Tl contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The power steering light illuminated intermittently and caused the steering to fail and made it difficult to make left and right turns. The vehicle reset itself after the engine was shut off for approximately 5 minutes. The dealer confirmed that the failure was caused by the power steering motor. The estimated repair cost was $1,000. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 57,000.
Dt*: the contact stated that there was power steering and brake fluid on the floor beneath where the vehicle was parked. The power steering pump was replaced three times in October, December and March however the leaking was not resolved. This incident intermittently caused the steering to pull to either right or left. Updated 07/25/06.
The contact owned a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the wife was driving approximately 70 MPH when suddenly the vehicle erroneously turned to the right and drove across multiple lanes of traffic before crashing into a curb and flipping over, landing back on its wheels and stopping. The Highway Patrol was called to the scene. The wife was unable to exit the vehicle due to the damage to the front driver's door from the crash. They had to be forcefully opened by the emergency personnel. During the incident, the wife sustained bruising to both hands while attempting to forcefully turn the steering wheel and regain control of the vehicle. The wife was transported to the hospital and treated. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was towed away and later deemed destroyed by the insurance company. The cause of the failure was not determined. …
Dt: the contact stated that vehicle was equipped with power windows. While she was rolling up the front passenger side window heard a popping sound. The window formed a crack and shattered. Also, the contact complaint that the steering wheelwas very loose. She felt that it was difficult to maintain control of vehicle because she had to keep two hands on the wheel at all times to keep it from moving. Upon inspection by a service dealer, they found that the bracket underneath the steering column shifted. The dealer would have to replace the brackets to remedy the problem with the steering wheel.
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Vibe years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (35), 2005 (6), 2003 (5) and 2004 (5) model years. Steering complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Vibe steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 47,000 miles; 50% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (2 mentions), followed by the hydraulic power assist system (2).
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.