The most-reported Vibe run is 5Y2SL63805Z (2005 builds) with 26 complaints, 5.3× the typical run. Air bags problems make up 60% of reports; 2007 is the worst model year at 6.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 22 recall campaigns for Vibe model years 2003–2010.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Pontiac Vibe has 334 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Vibe complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5Y2SL63805Z•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SL65887Z•••••• | 2007 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SL63845Z•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 5Y2SP67019Z•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SL638X5Z•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SP67069Z•••••• | 2009 | 1 | — | |
| 5Y2SL63835Z•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SP67869Z•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SP67889Z•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SL63825Z•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SP67059Z•••••• | 2009 | — | — | |
| 5Y2SL63855Z•••••• | 2005 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 322 Vibe runs has 18 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 33 Vibe VINs so far, most often 2009, 2008, 2005 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Pontiac Vibe the gap between build years is 4.2×: a 2007 car draws 6.7 complaints per run, a 2010 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 54 | 33 | 5 | |
| 2009 | 491 | 76 | 17 | |
| 2008 | 59 | 20 | 3 | |
| 2007 | 154 | 23 | 12 | |
| 2006 | 158 | 32 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 261 | 46 | 8 | |
| 2004 | 217 | 52 | 15 | |
| 2003 | 242 | 66 | 22 |
Heaviest year here is 2007 at 6.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2010 at 1.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 60% of everything Pontiac Vibe owners report: Air Bags, 935 of 1,639 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 55 | 1 | |
| Visibility | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | 2 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | — | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 3 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 1 | |
| Engine | 3 | — | |
| Steering | 5 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 22 recall campaigns on the Pontiac Vibe; the 6 below cover build years 2003 to 2010. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 15V286000 | Air Bags | 2003–2007 |
| 18V883000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2003–2007 |
| 15V285000 | Air Bags | 2003–2007 |
| 19V627000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2005–2008 |
| 10V387000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 2005–2008 |
| 10V018000 | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | 2009–2010 |
15V286000 was opened in 2015 on cars built from 2003: 12 years on the road before the recall.
The Vibe against its rivals
The Vibe draws 4.9 complaints per production run; the Volvo V50 1.2. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pontiac Vibe | 1,639 | 334 | 5.2% | |
| Volvo V50 | 39 | 32 | 0% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,639 reports on the Pontiac Vibe, 5.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Pontiac Vibe | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,639 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 86 (5.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 5 (0.3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 95 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Pontiac Vibe share of that is 1,639 complaints over 334 runs, 0.15% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Pontiac Vibe VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,639 NHTSA complaints from 334 Vibe runs and 22 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Vibe production run has the most complaints?
5Y2SL63805Z, a 2005 build, with 26 complaints. The typical Vibe run has 4.9.
Which Vibe years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2007 is heaviest at 6.7 complaints per run and 2010 lightest at 1.6.
Does the Vibe get more complaints than the Volvo V50?
Yes: 4.9 complaints per production run for the Vibe against 1.2 for the Volvo V50.
How many Vibe complaints involve a crash?
5.2% of 1,639 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 5 involved a fire.
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