2009 Pontiac Vibe Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 5%of 528 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, 5% of the 528 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2009 Pontiac VIBE 2.4l engine had excessive oil burning and it went from bad to worse in a matter of days. I had it looked at and the piston rings were faulty, which then LED to my engine seizing, and also my seat belt buckle which connects to the seat will not latch in the drivers side in the drivers chair and and also the drivers side passenger seat which is major safety hazard. My engine was maintained every 3000 miles with oil changes and it has 154,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10913558, filed 2016-10, 154,000 miles“I bought a 2009 Pontiac VIBE with a 2.4l engine a little over a year ago with around 80k miles. I noticed right away that it was using about a quart of oil around every 1k miles. It now has a little over 90k miles and uses about 1.25 quarts of oil per 1k miles. I found that toyota admitted to a problem with the 2az-fe engines that are in their matrix and camrys, as well as the Pontiac VIBE, and have offered the ze7 warranty enhancement program to replace the pistons and rings in these products to correct the excessive oil consumption issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11320294, filed 2020-04, 80,000 miles“Starting about 80,000 mile my car started consuming oil of greater than 1 quart every 1000 miles. Now at 160,000 miles it consumes 1 quart every 500 miles. I have the 2.4 l 4 cylinder engine that came fairly standard with this model year. I have seen this complaint alot on web pages. My rav 4 2006 with the same engine had the same consumption problem. Toyota did an extended warranty on this problem for the rav 4 and I think GM should do the same for my vehicle. Toyota has an advisor out for the sister car the matrix for the same model year.”
NHTSA complaint #11083395, filed 2018-04, 80,000 miles“The check engine, stabilitrack, and vsc lights all came on at the same time. I have noticed several other postings on the internet about this problem. I have 55,000 miles on the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10874386, filed 2016-06, 55,000 miles“The engine stopped at freeway speed. This was the sixth time that this happened over a period of about a year. Once off the freeway and stopped, the car does restart. I have taken it to a dealer, but they did not do an official inspection since there were no codes and the car was running fine. This was just after the car had dies on the freeway in december. That was about the fourth occurrence. They suggested cleaning the battery terminals which were a little corroded. I did this and installed a new battery. The stalling has happened twice since. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565418, filed 2014-02, 109,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11007116Aug 6, 2024This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11007091Aug 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 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).
- 10199238May 3, 2021This service bulletin provides information on the cold start control system in DI engines to reduce cold start emissions and improve fuel economy.
- 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…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2009 Pontiac Vibe
352 complaintsVehicle speed control
58 complaintsSteering
35 complaintsBrakes
23 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
9 complaintsEngine cooling
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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