NHTSA has 63 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe[1]. The air bags group stands out with 48 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Air Bags. 48 complaints[2]. Owners describe a warning light that stays on, air bags that did not open in a crash, and repairs delayed because a part was not available.
- Engine. 4 complaints[5]. Owners describe power dropping while driving, stalling at a stop, and a car that kept rolling forward when the brake was pressed.
- Speed Control. 4 complaints[6]. Owners describe the car speeding up on its own and brakes that struggled to slow it down.
- Seat Belts. 2 complaints[7]. These reports involve a belt that did not hold a driver in a crash.
- Tires. 2 complaints[8].
- Steering. 2 complaints[9]. Owners describe power steering that quit without warning, sometimes in wet weather.
- Structure. 1 complaint[10].
- Visibility. 1 complaint[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2008 Vibe is necessarily included.
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (19V627), August 2019. About 229,460 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V127), March 2016. About 147,242 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended.[13]
- Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V128), March 2016. About 71,163 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, death, an air bag that may not work as intended.[14]
- Engine And Engine Cooling (10V387), August 2010. About 161,754 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[15]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
Safety ratings
How 2008 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's counts for the Vibe show 63 complaints and 4 recalls for 2008[3]. Among the 8 model years listed, 1 have fewer complaints than 2008 and 6 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2010 (58) and the most are for 2009 (528)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2008 Vibe?
The 2008 Vibe has 63 complaints on file[1]. The air bags group is the one to look at first, with 48 complaints[2]. Other groups are much smaller, such as 4 for the engine and 4 for speed control[5][6]. The by-year facts also show 4 recalls for this year[3]. These are unverified owner reports, so check the recall list and ask for repair records before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?
- Owners filed 63 complaints in all[1]. The air bags group has 48 of them[2], followed by the engine and speed control groups with 4 each[5][6].
- Does the 2008 Pontiac Vibe have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts list 4 recalls for 2008[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
- How many complaints mention a crash?
- 3 complaints mention a crash and 4 report injuries[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?
- See the fuel economy section on this page, which is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Pontiac Vibe
Compare all model years of the Pontiac Vibe
Other Pontiac models from 2008
Similar cars from 2008: station wagons
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 63 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe (3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 48 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Vibe model year (chart above). 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
- 4 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 1 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 19V627, filed August 28, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V127, filed March 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V128, filed March 2, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.0%. NHTSA vehicle records