2003 Pontiac Vibe Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 5%of 298 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe, 5% of the 298 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Pontiac VIBE. Vehicle has a sensor that turns on the interior lights and taillights. These lights are not illuminated until 15-20 seconds elapse. I noted my wife driving away with headlights but no tail lights after she started the car after sunset. The tail lights came on as she was two blocks down the street. I believe this is a very danger design flaw that should be corrected immediately. Thanks”
NHTSA complaint #10003144, filed 2003-01, 900 miles“Whenever the car is parked outside overnight, and the air temperature drops below about 30 degrees f, the headlights turn on with the headlight switch in the off position. This leads to a dead battery and an inability to start the car the following morning. From my research on this problem, this seems to be a problem with both the 2003 Pontiac VIBE and its sister car, the 2003 toyota matrix. Toyota has a TSB on the problem for the matrix (el003-03), GM does not have one for the VIBE.”
NHTSA complaint #10259094, filed 2009-02, 34,000 miles“Every several months both headlights (right and left) burn out at the same time. This has effected only the low beams so far. When the bulbs are replaced, they work fine for several months.”
NHTSA complaint #10256904, filed 2009-01, 140,000 miles“-the contact owns a 2003 Pontiac VIBE. While traveling at night the contact noticed that the headlights of his vehicle became progressively dimmer. On further inspection he realized that the plastic cover on the headlight was becoming clouded. The dealer stated that the failure was in the lens it's self and tired to buff the lens clear to no success. The dealer stated that they would sell him new lens at a cost of $100.00 apiece. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 133,981. Updated 4/25/08”
NHTSA complaint #10223230, filed 2008-04, 50,000 miles“I have complied with the recalls on the airbag for this vehicle. After we got the last recall on this vehicle completed, about 3 weeks later the warning light for the airbag came on and does not go out. The owner manual tells me this is a danger and the airbag could deploy at any time. After researching I found multiply vehicles with the same issue. I took it back to them and they told me it was nothing they did. Now they want $1000 to fix the issue. Sound bogeys to me> I do not have any photos but I do have my paper work”
NHTSA complaint #10934249, filed 2016-12Related service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10116890Feb 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides an out line on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage and what should be considered warranty replacement and not
- 10116874Feb 8, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on exterior lamp condinsation and replacement guidelines
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe
77 complaintsAir bags
66 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
49 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Pontiac Vibe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology