Pontiac Vibe Window & Wiper Problems

Window & Wiper complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Glass, side/rear
  69
• Power window devices and controls
  66
• Windshield
  6
• Sun/moon roof assembly
  3
• Windshield wiper/washer
  2

Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2316%
• 25k–50k
  3122%
• 50k–75k
  3827%
• 75k–100k
  2820%
• 100k–150k
  1410%
• 150k+
  86%

What owners report

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 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving various speeds, the check engine, vehicle stability control, all wheel drive, and ABS warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (jones Buick GMC truck located at 1335 manheim pike, lancaster, pa 17601; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology of the indoor and vehicular environment needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and advised the contact to call NHTSA. Case number: 8-3025152974 was provided. The failure mileage was 92,690.

RainX Weatherbeater 21" wiper blade purchased on or about 12/13/24 at this location: Meijers 1703 Haggerty Rd Commerce, MI 48390 Wiper is supposed to come with a small clip pre-attached to the blade assy and a large clip loose in the packaging for those applications needing the large clip. My car needs the smaller clip This wiper was packaged with the large clip pre-attached and no loose parts in the package. Not knowing any better at the time I attached the wiper using the large clip. Seemed OK but something didn't seem right so I double checked and realized the wiper was mis-packaged. Obviously if I hadn't double checked it would have set up the potential for the wiper to detach during normal usage as it doesn't "click" into place as it should.

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that as he opened the front driver side window, there was an abnormal scraping from the door panel. As he closed the window, the noise recurred and the contact noticed a groove scratched into the window. The failure persisted and the groove on the window progressively became worse. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated while pulling out of the driveway, the rear windshield suddenly exploded without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 215,000. The VIN was not available.

Front passenger's side power window has made a popping noise when rolled down more than half way since it was purchased new in 2005. It rolled up and down fine so I didn't think much about it. Two weeks ago I tried to get out of that door. The door wouldn't open more than a few inches. I had to climb over to the driver's side door to get out. I had to roll up the passenger side window and spray the door check link with a lot of wd40 to get it open. The door seemed to open and close OK after that, but the popping noise continued. I took it to the dealer. Dealer said the window glass (when rolled down) was touching the door check link, causing the issues. They had to reposition the link and clearance bracket to fix window.

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. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. While the vehicle was idling with the rear defroster activated, the rear hatch window shattered. The vehicle was taken to lupient Buick/GMC (7100 wayzata blvd, golden valley, mn 55426) where it was currently being diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 9-5481767211. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 210,000.

Related recalls (3)

NHTSA investigations