CarBrief

The 2009 Pontiac Vibe has 528 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, mostly about air bags[1][2]. It also has 9 recalls on file, so check any car you are considering by VIN[3].

528owner complaints[1]
9recalls[3]
22–28MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 528 owner complaints for the 2009 Vibe[1]. Of those, 23 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 10 an injury[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

Here is how the complaints split by component group.

Component group Complaints Crashes Median mileage at failure
Air bags[2] 352 6 93,000
Speed control[5] 58 13 20,250
Engine[6] 37 1 83,654
Steering[7] 35 0 38,000
Brakes[8] 22 1 21,000
Electrical system[9] 18 1 74,000
Power train[10] 13 1 49,250
Unknown or other[11] 9 0 125,000

Air bags. This is the biggest group by far, with 352 complaints[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe an air bag warning light on the dash, and several tie it to the driver air bag cable recall (14V168)[2]. Some say a dealer or GM told them their car was not covered by that recall. A couple describe air bags that did not go off in a crash[2].

Speed control. There are 58 complaints, but they include 13 crashes, the most of any group[5]. The median mileage at failure is 20,250, the lowest of any group in the table above[5]. In the sample we read, owners describe the engine racing or the car accelerating on its own, often at low speed while parking or braking[5]. Two recalls cover the accelerator pedal (see below)[12][13].

Engine. With 37 complaints[6], owners in our sample describe stalling while driving, engine speed rising on its own, exhaust smells in the cabin and faulty engine computers[6].

Steering. There are 35 complaints[7]. Owners in our sample describe steering that feels light or wanders at highway speed. A few describe the car pulling to one side, a rattle through the column, or power steering that quit suddenly[7].

The other groups are small. Brakes, electrical and power train each have fewer than 25 complaints[8][9][10]. The electrical group does include 2 fires[9].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2009 model year[3]. Newest first. Some were issued by Toyota and cover many models, and the Vibe is named in each.

Do not assume a repair was done. Look up the VIN at NHTSA to see whether each recall is open on a specific car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions of the 2009 Vibe. Ratings are city, highway and combined mpg. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not 2009 prices.

Engine and transmission Drive City / highway / combined Annual fuel cost
1.8L, automatic 4-spd[4] Front-wheel 26 / 31 / 28 $2,400
1.8L, manual 5-spd[21] Front-wheel 26 / 32 / 28 $2,400
2.4L, automatic (S5)[22] Front-wheel 21 / 29 / 24 $2,800
2.4L, manual 5-spd[23] Front-wheel 21 / 28 / 24 $2,800
2.4L, automatic 4-spd[24] All-wheel 20 / 26 / 22 $3,050

All run on regular gas[24][23][22][4][21]. The 1.8L gets 28 combined mpg in both versions[4][21]. The all-wheel-drive 2.4L is the thirstiest at 22 combined mpg[24].

Safety ratings

The NHTSA rollover rating is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 13.6%[25]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for this year, a 1.8L 4-cylinder and a 2.4L 4-cylinder[4][23]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Base, front-wheel drive[26] 172 in 70 in 61 in 102 in 2,855 lb
GT, front-wheel drive[27] 172 in 70 in 61 in 102 in 3,084 lb
All-wheel drive[28] 172 in 70 in 63 in 102 in 3,296 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2003: 298 complaints, 8 recalls20032004: 266 complaints, 7 recalls20042005: 301 complaints, 5 recalls20052006: 177 complaints, 5 recalls20062007: 172 complaints, 5 recalls20072008: 63 complaints, 4 recalls20082009: 528 complaints, 9 recalls52820092010: 58 complaints, 8 recalls2010
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Vibe model year. The 2009 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20032988
20042667
20053015
20061775
20071725
2008634
20095289
2010588

Among the Vibe model years in NHTSA's data, 2009 has the most complaints at 528 and the most recalls at 9[3]. The next highest for complaints is 2005 with 301, and the next for recalls is 2003 and 2010 with 8 each[3]. The 2008 model has 63 complaints and 4 recalls, and 2010 has 58 complaints[3].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. They show where owners spoke up, not how likely a failure is.

Should you buy a used 2009 Vibe?

The 2009 Vibe has the most complaints and recalls of any Vibe year listed[3]. It has the most complaints and recalls of any Vibe year listed[3]. Most of the safety recalls involve air bags and the accelerator pedal, so confirm by VIN that every recall was completed before you buy[14][18][12][13]. If the air bag warning light is on, take it seriously, since owners in our sample link it to the driver air bag cable issue[2][18]. The 1.8L is rated 28 combined mpg[4][21]. This page cannot tell you the condition of a single car, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the money.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
Air bags lead the NHTSA complaint count with 352 of 528 complaints[1][2]. Speed control has 58 and engine has 37[5][6]. These are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2009 Pontiac Vibe have?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2009 model year, covering passenger and driver air bags, power window switches, accelerator pedals and brake vacuum[3][14][18][19][12][20].
What is the gas mileage of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
The 1.8L is rated 28 combined mpg[4][21]. The front-wheel-drive 2.4L is rated 24 combined and the all-wheel-drive 2.4L 22 combined[23][22][24].
Is the 2009 Pontiac Vibe the worst Vibe year?
By NHTSA counts it has the most complaints (528) and recalls (9) of the Vibe years listed, though counts are not adjusted for sales[3].
What is the rollover rating of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 13.6%[25].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 528 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe (23 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 352 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Pontiac Vibe model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Vibe, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 58 complaints name the speed control component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 37 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,654). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 35 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 38,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 22 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 49,250). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 125,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 10V024, filed January 27, 2010: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 10V018, filed January 21, 2010: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 18V024, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 17V006, filed January 9, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V340, filed May 23, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 15V689, filed October 22, 2015: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 14V168, filed April 9, 2014: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 12V491, filed October 10, 2012: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 09V392, filed August 31, 2009: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
  21. EPA rating for Vibe, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Vibe, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Vibe, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Vibe AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VIBE BASE 4DR WAGON FWD: length 172 in, width 70 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,855 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VIBE GT 4DR WAGON FWD: length 172 in, width 70 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,084 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VIBE AWD 4DR WAGON AWD: length 172 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,296 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.