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2006 Pontiac Vibe: problems, recalls and fuel economy
The 2006 Pontiac Vibe has 177 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and the air bags are the largest group[1][2]. It also has 5 recalls, several about the front passenger air bag inflator or its replacement[3][4][5][6][7].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 177 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Six mention a crash, four mention an injury, and none report a fire or a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags[2] | 119 | 127,500 |
| Engine[9] | 30 | 86,000 |
| Power train[10] | 12 | 92,000 |
| Electrical system[11] | 11 | 96,500 |
| Speed control[12] | 6 | 27,235 |
Fewer complaints name visibility (4), brakes (3) and seat belts (2)[13][14][15]. With counts that small, we do not treat them as common problems.
Air bags. This is by far the largest group. Three crashes and three injuries are tied to it[2]. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints we read, 6 were from owners who got a recall notice but said the repair part was not available when they asked[2]. Five described an air bag warning light that stayed on[2].
Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 6 described the car stalling or shutting off, often with the check engine light on[9]. Four owners said they were told their car was not covered by the engine computer recall[9][16]. That recall applies only to certain two-wheel-drive cars with a specific engine, as the recalls section explains.
Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints, 5 described harsh or rough shifting, often along with a check engine light[10].
Electrical system. In a sample of 9 complaints, 3 described stalling, and some owners linked it to the engine computer[11].
Speed control. Six complaints name it, and 3 of them mention a crash[12]. The median mileage at failure was 27,235, much lower than the other groups[12]. Six is a small number, so this is worth knowing but not a pattern we can confirm.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:
- Passenger air bag assembly (19V627). Issued 2019-08-28 for about 229,460 vehicles across several models, including the Vibe[4]. It covers cars whose front passenger air bag was replaced under an earlier recall. The replacement bag may not inflate properly in high heat, which raises the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers replace the passenger air bag assembly or part at no charge[4].
- Passenger air bag inflator (18V883). Issued 2018-12-12 for about 168,993 vehicles across several models[5]. The inflator can explode in a crash because its propellant has degraded, and metal fragments can cause serious injury or death. It includes cars that had their air bag replaced before. Dealers fit an alternate inflator or air bag assembly at no charge, and the recall began January 23, 2019[5].
- Passenger air bag inflator (15V285). Issued 2015-05-13 for about 1,973,468 vehicles across several models, after being expanded in June 2015[6]. The inflator can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments toward occupants. Dealers replace the front passenger air bag, and the recall began July 13, 2015[6].
- Passenger air bag inflator (15V286). Issued 2015-05-13 for about 1,069,055 vehicles[7]. It covers cars sold or registered in Florida, along the Gulf Coast and several territories, plus parts of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The risk is the same as 15V285. Dealers replace the passenger air bag free of charge, and GM began the recall on June 29, 2015[7].
- Engine control module (10V387). Issued 2010-08-26 for about 161,754 vehicles[16]. It covers certain 2005 to 2008 Vibes with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive[16]. The control module may have been built with a flaw that can crack the circuit board. Possible results are a warning lamp, harsh shifting, a no-start, or the engine shutting off while driving, which raises the risk of a crash. Dealers check the module's production number and replace it if needed, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2011[16].
Recall coverage depends on the car. The 10V387 recall in particular names a specific engine and drive type[16].
Fuel economy
EPA lists four versions of the 2006 Vibe, all with a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine[17][18][8][19].
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Manual 5-spd, front-wheel drive, regular[8] | 26 / 33 / 29 | $2,300 |
| Automatic 4-spd, front-wheel drive, regular[17] | 25 / 31 / 27 | $2,500 |
| Automatic 4-spd, all-wheel drive, regular[18] | 22 / 29 / 25 | $2,700 |
| Manual 6-spd, front-wheel drive, premium[19] | 22 / 29 / 25 | $3,300 |
The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new. The 6-speed manual is listed with premium fuel and the highest annual cost, with the same 25 combined MPG as the all-wheel-drive automatic[18][19].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 4-door 2006 Vibe 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 14.0%[20]. Our data has no other star ratings for this car.
Engine and size
These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so they can differ slightly from US models.
| Variant | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door wagon, FWD[21] | 172 in | 70 in | 62 in | 102 in | 2,705 lb |
| 4-door wagon, FWD / GT[22] | 172 in | 70 in | 62 in | 102 in | 2,806 lb |
| 4-door wagon, AWD[23] | 172 in | 70 in | 62 in | 102 in | 2,981 lb |
The all-wheel-drive version is the heaviest, about 276 pounds more than the base front-wheel-drive version[21][23]. The fuel economy tables above show the engine as a 1.8L 4-cylinder[17].
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 298 | 8 |
| 2004 | 266 | 7 |
| 2005 | 301 | 5 |
| 2006 | 177 | 5 |
| 2007 | 172 | 5 |
| 2008 | 63 | 4 |
| 2009 | 528 | 9 |
| 2010 | 58 | 8 |
NHTSA counts complaints and recalls for eight Vibe model years[3].
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 298 | 8 |
| 2004 | 266 | 7 |
| 2005 | 301 | 5 |
| 2006 | 177 | 5 |
| 2007 | 172 | 5 |
| 2008 | 63 | 4 |
| 2009 | 528 | 9 |
| 2010 | 58 | 8 |
Source for the table:[3].
The 2006 model has the fourth-lowest complaint count of the eight years. Only 2007, 2008 and 2010 have fewer[3]. Its 5 recalls match 2005 and 2007[3]. Only 2008 has fewer, at 4[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show how each year compares on file, not how likely a problem is.
Should you buy a used 2006 Vibe?
The data points to one thing to settle before anything else, which is the passenger air bag. Four recalls address the inflator or its replacement[4][5][6][7]. Ask for proof that the work was done, or have a dealer check the VIN. The engine computer recall is narrower, since it applies only to certain two-wheel-drive cars with one engine[16], and owners in the samples we read described stalling and harsh shifting, so a test drive that looks for both is sensible[9][10]. On the plus side, the regular-fuel versions are rated 25 to 29 combined MPG[17][18][8], and the complaint count is lower than in four of the other seven Vibe years[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Vibe?
- Of 177 NHTSA complaints, 119 name the air bags and 30 name the engine[1][2][9]. In the samples we read, owners described air bag warning lights, stalling and harsh shifting[2][9][10].
- Does the 2006 Pontiac Vibe have any recalls?
- Yes, 5[3]. Four involve the front passenger air bag inflator or its replacement, and one covers the engine control module in certain two-wheel-drive cars[4][5][6][7][16].
- How much gas does a 2006 Pontiac Vibe use?
- EPA lists 25 city and 31 highway MPG for the front-wheel-drive automatic, and 26 city and 33 highway for the 5-speed manual[17][8]. The all-wheel-drive automatic gets 22 city and 29 highway[18].
- Is the 2006 Pontiac Vibe a good year compared with others?
- It has 177 complaints, fewer than 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2009, but more than 2007, 2008 and 2010[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
- How safe is the 2006 Pontiac Vibe?
- NHTSA rates rollover at 4 stars with a 14.0% risk[20]. Our data has no other star ratings.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 177 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Pontiac Vibe (6 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 119 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 127,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Vibe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V627, filed August 28, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V883, filed December 12, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V285, filed May 13, 2015: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V286, filed May 13, 2015: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 30 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 6 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,235). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 10V387, filed August 26, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- 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
- 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
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 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
- 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
- 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