2003 Pontiac Vibe Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 16%of 298 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe, 16% of the 298 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just leaving for a trip from michigan to tenn. Driving 70 MPH on I-75 south when coming down a steep over pass, I heard rattling in my engine and thumping. This is a very dangerous spot on I-75 with many trucks traveling at high speed coming down from this overpass. My first thought was, it was a flat tire. When I barely coasted to a semi-safe spot my daughter got out and said the tire is not flat. I shifted my manual transmission 6 speed VIBE gt into 1st gear let off the clutch only to find it didn't respond. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543404, filed 2013-09, 141,000 miles“2003 Pontiac VIBE. Has a toyota engine and transmission. My wife and child were traveling down the road when the transmission suddenly quit pulling in the middle of the roadway,with no warning. The complete failure left them stranded in a heavy traffic flow location where a collision was probable. Neither were injured and a collision was avoided. After research on the web I found a lot of similar stories reported in regard to this problem with the toyota transmissions.”
NHTSA complaint #10312685, filed 2010-02, 110,000 miles“While driving my 2003 Pontiac VIBE on the freeway the manual transmission froze up causing sudden deceleration and the engine to die. I briefly loss control of the vehicle and narrowly avoided an accident before getting the car to the side of the road. The dealer inspected the transmission and described it as a catastrophic failure of the transmission. This transmission failure issue is apparently a known issue with 2003 transmissions made by toyota in Pontiac vibes and matrix.”
NHTSA complaint #10293400, filed 2009-11, 110,000 miles“I have a 2003 Pontiac VIBE gt and am experiencing a manual transmission problem. I have noticed a rattling/grinding noise coming from the gearbox that began at approximately 13k miles. The noise sounds like a grinding sound or something loose in the gearbox on decelerating or constant speeds in first, second, third and forth gears. When the clutch pedal is depressed, the grinding/rattling noise goes away. …”
NHTSA complaint #10039547, filed 2003-09, 13,000 miles“We were driving to my parents home for the christmas holiday. On the interstate, in fifth gear, at a speed of 65 to 70 miles/hr, the car started making a high whining sound which was immediately followed by a clunk and grinding noise. We pulled over. Nothing was visible. We limped to the exit and had the car towed. Upon inspection, the rear pinion shaft bearing had failed in the transmission, ruining the rear case assembly, pinion shaft and both fifth gears. Both fifth gears had broken teeth and were replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10218736, filed 2008-02, 86,700 milesRelated recalls
- 02V074002Mar 11, 2002On certain two-wheel drive (2wd) passenger vehicles, it is possible for the bolts that join the rear brake and hub assembly to the rear axle carrier to be…Covers: Pontiac Vibe 2003
Related service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10113664May 29, 2015This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlow®.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Vibe
77 complaintsAir bags
66 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 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