2005 Pontiac Vibe Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 135,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Pontiac Vibe, 4% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 135,000 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.
“I have a 2005 Pontiac VIBE and since 2009 my car has been losing cooling and has a burning smell. Over the past 6 years I've taken the vehicle to numerous repair shops to resolve the issue with no results. In 2010 I there was a engine recall on this vehicle and I don't believe my car was properly serviced. Today I still have the burning smell, since the recall repair I've taken it to repair shops without results and have to refill my cooling 3 - 4 times a month. …”
NHTSA complaint #10726293, filed 2015-06, 40,000 miles“The torque converter clutch switch is stuck off. Car is losing power not shifting up or down as it should. Oxygen sensor bank 1 says lean. Its as if its not pulling in enough air. To push power. Idles rough. Electrical issue or computer issue. Not sureas if im at stop light it shakes badly while slowing down leting off the gas. Or braking.”
NHTSA complaint #11141741, filed 2018-10, 190,000 miles“On two separate incidents, the engine has stalled and shut off while driving. Both times the car was coasting downhill when this happened. After pulling over and stopping, the engine restarted fine. It seems to match the description for recall 10v387000, although that was issued only for 1zz engines and this is a 2zz engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10904505, filed 2016-09, 135,000 miles“2005 Pontiac VIBE with 133000mi had the PCM replaced under recall #10282 in october 2013. In june 2014, at 140000mi, the car started exhibiting the same symptoms as before the recall: hard upshifts and stalling while shifting from reverse to drive. The engine began cutting out for <1sec during steady-state driving at highway speeds, eventually stalling completely from 60mph in traffic. The hard shifting and stalling is intermittent, though most common after driving 10min or more. While driving at constant throttle, the tachometer dives from 3k RPM to under 1k before the engine restarts. …”
NHTSA complaint #10654808, filed 2014-11, 142,000 miles“On the first recall for airbag I took my car to the dealership for the airbag replace and now the airbag and engine light is on all at all the time. Why?”
NHTSA complaint #11046252, filed 2017-11Related service bulletins
- 11007091Aug 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178949Jul 28, 2020This Bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This 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…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Pontiac Vibe
174 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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