2003 Pontiac Vibe Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 298 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe, 2% of the 298 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“My husband was cut off on an exit ramp on 62east. When he crashed he hit a tree head on causing the airbags to deploy and cut open his head. He still has pain and issues within his accident area and I think this is related to the air bag recalls and feel that if there are continuous checks and issues that we should be involved in any lawsuit against the company for the negligence upon the issues with the airbag.”
NHTSA complaint #10659129, filed 2014-11, 125,000 miles“I was driving my 2003 Pontiac VIBE in cleveland, oh when the brakes and steering suddenly went out on the vehicle. I had no indication whatsoever that there was a problem with my car. This resulted in an accident. The police agreed with me that I was not at fault and it was the vehicle. I was not cited.”
NHTSA complaint #10304128, filed 2010-02, 40,000 miles“In august of 2003, we bought a new, 2003 Pontiac VIBE. In november, we had a terrible accident when the steering wheel locked up, while taking a curve. The vehicle lost control and made us hit the side walk with the right front wheel. The two front wheels bursted and the rod broke in half. We started spinning until the motor, finally died. Fortunately, there were no cars around at that time. Our injuries are being treated and our insurance company covered the vehicles repairs. The damage was major and we requested an inspection from Pontiac. …”
NHTSA complaint #10053134, filed 2004-01, 9,000 miles“The problem experienced resulted in a crash, although the experienced problem has happened intermittently and is difficult to predict when it will happen. There is a loss of power steering and brakes (seems like a hydraulic issue?). The engine doesn't cut off. You can restart the vehicle and steering feel is restored. When power is lost to the steering wheel, the vehicle is difficult to steer. Not sure if this is related, but occasionally, when coming to a stop with the foot on the clutch, the vehicle also stalls, and then of course, you lose all power. …”
NHTSA complaint #10524082, filed 2013-07, 89,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: 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 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsTires
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Pontiac Vibe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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