NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Pontiac Vibe Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Pontiac Vibe has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 63 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Pontiac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Pontiac Vibe owner complaints

Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Pontiac Vibe, describing incidents dated February 9, 2008 to August 15, 2020.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 48 complaints
Engine 4 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 4 complaints
Seat Belts 2 complaints
Steering 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints

Of the 63 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 63 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11353835 · Filed September 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE…
ODI #11340661 · Filed July 21, 2020
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. HONOLULU BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 2945 N NIMITZ HWY, HONOLULU, HI 96819, WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS…
ODI #11337716 · Filed July 6, 2020
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM PONTIAC IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN DATED OCTOBER 2019 STATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG ASSEMBLY CONTAINING AN INFLATOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE AIR BAG MAY NOT UNFOLD AS DESIGNED DURING INFLATION DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS .WHAT COULD HAPPEN IS THAT A…

Read all 63 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Pontiac Vibe in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Engineering Analysis EA10-006: Engine Stall
Closed September 16, 2010
- Recall 10V-384
- Recall 10V-387

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Front Passenger Air Bag May Not Properly Inflate

NHTSA #19V627000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported August 28, 2019 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 229,460 vehicles

Repair completion: 36.19% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign K1Q / K0Q · Owners notified October 18, 2019 · Vehicles built April 26, 2004 – January 2, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.

Safety consequence

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #16V127000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported March 3, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 147,242 vehicles

Repair completion: 90.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 25, 2016 · Vehicles built June 1, 2007 – January 2, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.

Safety consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer remedy

The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Passenger Side Front Air Bag Inflator may Rupture

NHTSA #16V128000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported March 2, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 71,163 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.84% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 25, 2016 · Vehicles built June 1, 2007 – January 2, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

ENGINE STALLING

NHTSA #10V387000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported August 26, 2010 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 161,754 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 10282 · Owners notified February 8, 2011 · Vehicles built April 26, 2004 – January 2, 2008 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE (LV6) ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.

Safety consequence

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM AT 1-800-620-7668.

Notes

GM'S SAFETY RECALL NO. IS 10282.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

14% rollover risk

Safety Technology

2 investigations

2008 Pontiac Vibe 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

14% rollover risk

Safety Technology

2 investigations

63 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe.

Air Bags

ODI #11353835

Incident: August 15, 2020 · Filed: September 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WUERFLEIN CHEVROLET BUICK GMC (2527 BRIDGE AVE, ALBERT LEA, MN 56007) TO BE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED DESPITE THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SAME DEALER BACK AND WAS INFORMED SHE HAD TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *BF *TR

Air Bags

ODI #11340661

Incident: August 28, 2019 · Filed: July 21, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. HONOLULU BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 2945 N NIMITZ HWY, HONOLULU, HI 96819, WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF *JS

Air Bags

ODI #11337716

Incident: October 1, 2019 · Filed: July 6, 2020

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM PONTIAC IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN DATED OCTOBER 2019 STATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG ASSEMBLY CONTAINING AN INFLATOR IS DEFECTIVE. THE AIR BAG MAY NOT UNFOLD AS DESIGNED DURING INFLATION DURING HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS .WHAT COULD HAPPEN IS THAT A PORTION OF THE AIR BAG MATERIAL COULD BE TORN DURING DEPLOYMENT, OR THE BAG PLATE COULD BE DAMAGED. SUCH DAMAGE DURING DEPLOYMENT COULD CAUSE THE AIR BAG NOT TO PROPERLY INFLATE, AND THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE LETTER FURTHER STATES THAT PARTS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. A RECENT CALL TO THE PONTIAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. DUE TO THIS POTENTIAL HAZARD I HAVE NOT HAD ANYONE SIT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE SINCE THE SAFELY RECALL LETTER WAS SENT TO ME ALMOST NINE MONTHS AGO. IN FACT THERE WAS ALREADY ONE OTHER SAFETY RECALL ON THIS SAME AIRBAG SOME TIME AGO THAT I HAD REPLACED AT MY LOCAL GM DEALER IN KINGMAN, AZ. I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I FEEL THAT WAY TOO MUCH TIME HAS GONE BY WITHOUT ANY PART REPLACEMENT AVAILABLE FOR THIS AIRBAG .SINCE THIS DEFECT COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, I FEEL THAT THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN UNDULY NEGLIGENT IN NOT PROVIDING A REPLACEMENT PART SINCE THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT TO ME IN OCTOBER 2019. CAN ANYTHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS? THE GM SAFETY RECALL # IS N192273760.

Air Bags

ODI #11327761

Incident: August 18, 2019 · Filed: June 8, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIRBAG) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER KINGMAN CHEVROLET BUICK (ADDRESS: 3730 STOCKTON HILL RD, KINGMAN, AZ 86409; PHONE: (928) 757-4041) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags

ODI #11327112

Incident: September 19, 2019 · Filed: June 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER :19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags

ODI #11325639

Incident: August 20, 2019 · Filed: May 23, 2020

I CONTACTED GM ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PART YET AND WHEN THE GET THE PART IN THEY WOULD CONTACT ME TO REPLACE IT BUT THAT WAS IN 2019 AND NEVER HERD FROM THEM THIS VERY DAY. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #11325366

Incident: October 21, 2019 · Filed: May 21, 2020

RECEIVED LETTER FROM PONTIAC DATED OCT 2019 THAT FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEFECTIVE AND MIGHT NOT INFLATE AND COULD INJURE PERSON IN A CAR CRASH. REPAIR PARTS WERE NOT READY IN OCT 2019. IT IS NOW SEVEN MONTHS LATER. ARE THE PARTS STILL NOT READY? WHEN WILL THEY BE READY? NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET, BUT THIS IS WORRISOME. I RECEIVED THE LETTER 10/21/2019. THE DEALER HAS NO REPAIR PARTS. IT IS SEVEN MONTHS LATER. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #11323638

Incident: August 28, 2019 · Filed: May 7, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. SULLIVAN BUICK GMC, INC (777 W DUNDEE RD, ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004, (847) 505-0435) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *JS

Air Bags

ODI #11321952

Incident: October 14, 2019 · Filed: April 22, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB

Air Bags

ODI #11315819

Incident: November 1, 2018 · Filed: March 3, 2020

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V627000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.*DT*JB

Other Pontiac Vibe model years

Check your 2008 Pontiac Vibe VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Pontiac Vibe at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Pontiac VIN