CarBrief

NHTSA has 301 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe[1], and air bags are the biggest group. Five recalls are listed for this year[2], so check that each one has been done.

301owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
25–29MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 301 owner complaints for this car[1]. Ten mention a crash, one a fire and nine injuries. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Air bags. This is the biggest group, with 174 complaints, 9 crashes and 8 injuries[4]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 6 say the air bags did not deploy in a collision, 2 describe a warning light that would not behave, and 2 say the dealer could not get recall parts[4].

Engine. There are 43 complaints, with no crashes or injuries[5]. In the 12 we read[5], 3 describe the car stalling or shutting off, and 4 describe a check engine light with a computer fault. Some of those owners say they were told their car was not part of the engine control module recall[5].

Power train. There are 34 complaints, with no crashes or injuries[6]. In the 12 we read[6], 8 describe hard or erratic shifting, usually with a check engine light and a computer or solenoid fault. Some describe a vibration felt in the steering wheel[6].

Visibility. There are 17 complaints, with no crashes or injuries[7]. In the 12 we read, 11 are about windows that pop, catch, fall off track or shatter[7].

Smaller groups are electrical system with 15 complaints[8], speed control with 8[9], structure with 6[10] and steering with 6[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists four versions, all with a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine:

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Automatic 4-speed, front-wheel drive, regular[17] 25 / 31 / 27 $2,500
Automatic 4-speed, all-wheel drive, regular[18] 22 / 29 / 25 $2,700
Manual 5-speed, front-wheel drive, regular[3] 26 / 33 / 29 $2,300
Manual 6-speed, front-wheel drive, premium[19] 22 / 29 / 25 $3,300

EPA's annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Safety ratings

The only NHTSA rating we have for this car is rollover. It earns 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 14.0%[20].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. All versions listed are 172 in long, 70 in wide and 62 in tall, with a 102 in wheelbase[21][22][23].

Version Curb weight
4DR wagon FWD[21] 2,705 lb
4DR wagon FWD / GT[22] 2,806 lb
4DR wagon AWD[23] 2,981 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

2003: 298 complaints, 8 recalls20032004: 266 complaints, 7 recalls20042005: 301 complaints, 5 recalls30120052006: 177 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 172 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 63 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 528 complaints, 9 recalls20092010: 58 complaints, 8 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Vibe model year. The 2005 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20032988
20042667
20053015
20061775
20071725
2008634
20095289
2010588

NHTSA lists complaints and recalls for eight Vibe model years[2]. The 2005 model has 301 complaints, the second highest[2]. Only 2009 is higher, with 528[2]. The 2003 model is close behind with 298[2].

Its 5 recalls[2] are fewer than 2003 with 8, 2004 with 7, 2009 with 9 and 2010 with 8[2]. They match 2006 and 2007, which also have 5, and are more than 2008 with 4[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2005 Vibe?

The complaint file is sizable at 301[1], and the biggest group is air bags at 174[4]. Four of the five recalls concern the passenger air bag inflator, and the risk described is serious injury[13][14][15]. If you consider one, confirm with a GM dealer or GM customer service that every recall is done[12][13], the air bag ones first. Then have the shifting and engine computer behavior checked, since owners in our sample describe those problems[5][6]. Fuel economy is reasonable at up to 29 combined MPG with the manual 5-speed[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Pontiac Vibe?
Air bags lead with 174 of 301 complaints[1][4]. Engine has 43[5] and power train 34[6]. In the samples we read, owners describe air bags not deploying, stalling and hard shifting.
Does the 2005 Pontiac Vibe have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5[2]. Four involve the passenger air bag inflator[12][13][14][15] and one the engine control module[16].
What gas mileage does the 2005 Pontiac Vibe get?
EPA rates it from 25 to 29 combined MPG depending on version[17][18][3][19]. The manual 5-speed is the best at 29[3].
Which Pontiac Vibe year has the most complaints?
Among the years NHTSA lists, 2009 has the most with 528[2]. The 2005 model has 301, the second most[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 301 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe (10 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Vibe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Vibe, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 174 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 117,850). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 43 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,745). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 34 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 17 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,229). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,509). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 19V627, filed August 28, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 18V883, filed December 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 15V285, filed May 13, 2015: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 15V286, filed May 13, 2015: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 10V387, filed August 26, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Vibe, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Vibe AWD, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Vibe, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VIBE 4DR WAGON FWD: length 172 in, width 70 in, height 62 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,705 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VIBE 4DR WAGON FWD / GT: length 172 in, width 70 in, height 62 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,806 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VIBE4DR WAGON AWD: length 172 in, width 70 in, height 62 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,981 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.