Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Unpredictable behavior, including erratic shifting, an engine that won't start, illumination of the check-engine light, or stalling while in motion while city driving usually occurring between 7-12 miles of travel. Same issue the 2004-2008 recall was issued for.
The clutch in my 2010 Pontiac Vibe gt failed while driving at 45 MPH. The car would rev but with virtually no acceleration ability. Luckily I was on a rural road and able to pull over. My vehicle has 36K miles on it. I have 31 years of manual transmission driving experience and I have never had to replace a clutch...especially with this little amount of mileage. Online, there are at least 5 pages of complaints from different GM customers dating from as far back as 2004 giving their own accounts of the same low mileage clutch failures on their Pontiac Vibe gts. GM has done nothing to correct this obvious and potentially deadly design flaw. They have stood by their claims of 'user error' in each and every case, regardless of the driver's experience and skill with clutch driving. …
The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving 20 MPH, the transmission was shifting rough before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle continued driving but at a reduced power. The vehicle stability control(VSC), traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: P0607 (Powertrain Control Module) was retrieved. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and advised the contact to report the failure with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.
Tl contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that on June 4, 2010, while at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a wall. The contact sustained major injuries and was hospitalized. A police report was filed. The contact had previously been complaining about the transmission but the dealer refused to repair it. The contact called the manufacturer who referred her to back to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Pontiac Vibe. While driving approximately 30 MPH with the brake pedal engaged, the vehicle decelerated independently to 20 MPH. The failure recurred numerous times intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000.
We've had our 2007 Pontiac Vibe for 6 months now. It has ~4200 miles on it. It is a family car and is driven by me and my wife (45 & 43). Just this weekend I was driving from rochester ny to manassas va and experienced a problem exactly as described by the one described at: http://www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2005/Pontiac/Vibe +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ complaint number: 10231583 incident date: June 18, 2008 date added to file: June 19, 2008 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ the first "event", I was sitting at a stop light and gradually felt the brake pedal requiring more and more pressure to keep the pedal depressed and the car standing still (cars were in front of me). Fortunately, I only had to endure about 10 seconds of applying significant pressure on the pedal before the light changed and cars began moving. The second incident, I was less fortunate. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the check engine light would illuminate when driving at speeds higher than 50 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the transmission fluid was burned. The mechanic diagnosed that the transmission gears failed. The contact stated that the failures related to NHTSA campaign number: 10V387000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle had a faulty shift and a faulty start. There was an error code: p0741. The vehicle was to be inspected and diagnosed by a dealer or a mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Axle assembly
On certain two-wheel drive (2wd) passenger vehicles, it is possible for the bolts that join the rear brake and hub assembly to the rear axle carrier to be loose due to insufficient tightening during the assembly process.
Remedy: Dealers will properly tighten the bolts. Owner notification began March 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Frequently asked questions
Which Pontiac Vibe years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (49), 2005 (34), 2009 (13), 2004 (12) and 2006 (12) model years. Transmission complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Pontiac Vibe transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 02V074002 (axle assembly, Mar 11, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Pontiac Vibe transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 30% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (30 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (23).
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.