PONTIAC VIBE · model year

2004 PONTIAC VIBE

314 NHTSA complaints, 21 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004PONTIACVIBE carries 314 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 21 crashes, 1 fire, 37 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 VIBE is air bags with 103 filings, followed by visibility:power window devices and controls (28) and visibility:glass, side/rear (25). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 17 investigation files overlapping the 2004 VIBE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

314
Complaints
21
Crashes
1
Fires
37
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

314 filings

Crashes Reported

21 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS103
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS28
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR25
VISIBILITY18
STRUCTURE:BODY11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
TIRES7
POWER TRAIN7
STRUCTURE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
VISIBILITY/WIPER6
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES4
ENGINE4

Recalls (7)

13V02900030/01/2013

AIR BAGS

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short may create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can dam

15V04300028/01/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004, 2003-2004 Avalon vehicles manufactured June 5,

20V03900023/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The replacement air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation in high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not infl

15V28600013/05/2015

AIR BAGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf

15V28500013/05/2015

AIR BAGS

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004. On June 16, 2015, T

18V88300012/12/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modul

08V16200010/04/2008

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 662,178 MY 2003-2004 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSING THE DOOR GLASS TO SEPARATE FROM THE WINDOW REGULATOR. DUE TO THE COMPONENTS BECOMING LOOSE AND PO

Recent Complaints

20240819AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint.

20240130AIR BAGS

As there is a NHTSA recall notice on the 2004 Toyota Matrix for a Takata air bag risk of explosion with shrapnel, should there also be a similar notice on the 2004 Pontiac Vibe, which is practically the same vehicle and was manufactured at the same plant in CA?

20231005AIR BAGS

The contact’s father owns a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. The contact stated that after her father started the vehicle, the air bag inadvertently deployed without warning. As a result, the contact’s father sustained a mild concussion, and burns to the left and right arms that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 100,000

20230913TIRES

p 185/75r15 (?) copy of email sent to Kost Tires Pa, BBB, State Attorney General's office: Sirs, Please forward to your corporate office. Two months ago, I replaced my entire front end (hubs, bearings, lower ball joints and outer ties rod ends) because the excessive noise these tires generated sounded a lot like bad bearings. The bearings themselves turned out to be fine. This tire blew out on me at 65-70 mph yesterday and almost killed me - the other front tire was almost just as bad. This manufacturer's quality control department should be notified asap, or steps should be taken to recall any of this brand that you've sold in order to limit your company's liability in case of an accidental death as a result of inadequate or insufficient safety standards. Again, this is after 4K miles on a "Kendra" tire rated for 60K - manufactured in Malaysia, Thailand or Vietnam (?). Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(

20230629AIR BAGS

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V285000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

20200203AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V883000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BAKER CADILLAC OF CHARLESTON DEALER, LOCATED AT 1621 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407) AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20200123AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS) THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE JOHN HIESTER CHEVROLET DEALER (919-552-4942, LOCATED AT 3100 N MAIN ST, FUQUAY-VARINA, NC 27526) WHERE THE RECALLS WERE REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG 'WAS HIGH PRESSURED' AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

20191211CrashAIR BAGS

THIS VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS WERE NOT PROPERLY DEPLOYED IN THE FATAL ACCIDENT TOTALLING THE CAR, AND MY INJURIES WERE MORE PRONOUNCED.

Mileage: 135,000

20191114AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) AND 15V043000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

20190927VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING WITH THE REAR DEFROSTER ACTIVATED, THE REAR HATCH WINDOW SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUPIENT BUICK/GMC (7100 WAYZATA BLVD, GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 55426) WHERE IT WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 9-5481767211. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

Mileage: 210,000

20190625AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V883000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. LINDSAY BUICK GMC (250 W SHIRLEY AVE, WARRENTON, VA 20186, (540) 987-2082) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190529AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO UPDATE INFO AT GM 'UPDATE YOUR INFO ' PAGE ON WEBSITE FAIL, CLAIMING PIN AND NAME ENTERED PROPERLY 'DOES NOT EXIST'. ATTEMPTS TO REPORT ARE PER THE INSTRUCTIONS ON MAILER FROM GM. I CALLED GM, TOLD ME TO GO TO WEBSITE. CALLED DEALER, TOLD ME TO CALL GM. ENDLESS DYSFUNCTIONAL LOOP. I SOLD THE SUBJECT VEHICLE TO WOBURN TOYOTA IN WOBURN, MA 3 YEARS AGO. OBVIOUSLY GM FAILS TO UPDATE OWNERSHIP SEARCHES, FAILS TO OPERATE REPORTING MECHANISMS PROPERLY (SUBJECT WEBSITE AND PHONE SERVICE).

20190503AIR BAGS

TOOK MY CAR TO KENNY ROSS IN NORTH HUNTINGDON, PENNSYLVANIA 5 YEARS AGO TO HAVE THE RECALLS DONE THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS NEVER CALLED SAYING THE PARTS WHERE IN CALLED SEVERAL TIMES SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO KENNY ROSS CHEVY DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY 4/30/2019 THEY SAID THEY WOULD ORDER THE PARTS AGAIN. THEY CALLED A FEW DAYS LATER SAYING THEY COULDN'T FIX THE SAFETY RECALL ON MY CAR CAUSE OF IT BEING AN OLDER CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS WRONG IT IS A SAFETY RECALL THAT THEY REFUSE TO FIX CAUSE IT'S OLDER THE CAR IS STILL IN GOOD CONDITION LOWER MILES AND THEY WON'T FIX IT I DON'T THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO RIDE ALL OVER THE STATE TO FIND A DEALERSHIP TO FIX IT THEY CARRY THE GM NAME THE ARE SUPPOSEDLY A CERTIFIED SERVICE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX A SAFETY RECALL THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 5 YEARS I THINK THEY NEED TO BE SHUT DOWN AND NOT CARRY THE GM NAME TOTALLY RIDICULOUS.

Mileage: 81,000

20190221AIR BAGS

I AM A 100% DISABLE SERVICE-CONNECTED VIETNAM VETERAN WITH A SER-CONNECTED NERVOUS CONDITION, AND GMC INCLUDING THE CEO HAS CAUSE NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS DURING MY DEMAND FOR THEM TO ANSWER MY QUESTIONS! GMC HAS BEEN, WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE INTENTIONALLY & CRIMINALLY WITH-HOLDING DEMANDED INFORMATION THAT I REQUEST BY 10S + 10S EMAILS REQUESTED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY LIVES, TO REPLY TO THE QUESTION DOES MY CAR NOW HAVE A DRIVER OR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG THAT CONTAIN AMMONIUM NITRATE WITH OR WITHOUT A DRYING AGENT! IN AN EMAIL I RECEIVED FROM EXECREFERRAL@GM.COM GENERAL MOTORS RECEIVED THE LETTER YOU SENT OUR CEO DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2019, AS WELL AS THE EMAILS YOU HAVE SENT THIS WEEK. I AM RESPONDING ON HER BEHALF. --IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU CLAIM TO HAVE SUSTAINED EMOTIONAL DISTRESS PRESENTING YOUR VEHICLE FOR AIRBAG-RELATED SERVICE AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS. ACCORDING TO YOUR LETTER, YOU HAD A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE AT BONES TOYOTA, FOLLOWED BY A

20190220AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I HAVE A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE THAT WAS PART OF TWO TAKATA RECALLS, ONE WHICH WAS DONE BEFORE I PURCHASED THE CAR. RECENTLY AFTER THE GM DEALERSHIP WORKED ON IT AND REPLACED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON THE VEHICLE, THE RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE TACHOMETER STARTED GLOWING AND HAS GLOWED SINCE. I HAVE ANOTHER 2005 VIBE THAT HAS A SIMILAR ISSUE THAT I JUST REPORTED. GM AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS LIGHT WAS TRIGGERED AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP. WHY WOULDN'T THIS BE COVERED AND FIXED IF DURING THE RECALL? INSTEAD GM AND THEIR DEALERSHIP SAY THAT IT ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY AND THEIR WOULD BE A DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE OF $99 PLUS A COST TO FIX THE ISSUE. SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT WAS CAUSED BY THE RECALL WORK.

Mileage: 156,026

20190218UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY GMC FACTORY INSTALLED IGNITION SWITCH KEY COMES OUT WHILE DRIVING! MY GMC FACTORY INSTALLED IGNITION SWITCH KEY DOES NOT OPEN THE DOOR OR HATCH THAT COULD PLACE MY FAMILY IN A DANGEROUS DEADLY SITUATION IN HAVE NEEDED TO GET IN MY CAR TO ESCAPE!

Mileage: 35

20190213POWER TRAIN

PREMATURE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, TRANSMISSION STOPPER WORKING AROUND 80K, MULTIPLE REPORTS OF ISSUES FOUND FROM THE SAME VEHICLE MODELS.

Mileage: 80,500

20190123AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG. I TOOK MY 2004 PONTIAC VIBE TO CAPITOL CHEV IN AUSTIN, TX TO HAVE THE AIRBAGS REPLACED IAC WITH THE RECALL. WHEN I GOT IT BACK, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADJUSTOR AND HE SAID IT CAME IN THAT WAY. WELL, I CONTACT GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE CAR HAS VERY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR THE AIRBAGS HAVE EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS TILL NOW. I ADVISED THEM I CAN PROVE IT AS THE CAR WAS SERVICED A MONTH PRIOR BY FIRESTONE. WELL THEY SAID THEY WILL CHARGE ME $75.00 TO DO A CHECK AND I SAID NO. FINALLY THEY DECIDED TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN. WELL, THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ADJUSTOR SAID THE AIRBAG AND MODULE IS NOT CONNECTING TO THE CAR COMPUTER TO REPORT IT READY, ARMED, AND ON STAND BY. THEY FOUND SOME CORROSION ON SEVERAL PLUGS BUT THAT DID NOT CLEAR UP THE PROBLEM. WELL NOW THEY WANT 750.00 TO TEST THE WHOLE SYSTEM TO DETERMINE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM DID NOT START UNTIL I TOOK IT IN FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. I

Mileage: 188,000

20181102STRUCTURE:BODY

ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OFF. I HAVE TO USE A PAIR OF PLIERS TO OPEN THE DOOR. IVE NOTICED ALMOST EVERY PONTIAC VIBE HAS DOOR HANDLES BROKEN OFF. TO ME THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IF I WERE TO BE IN A WRECK AND BECOME UNCONSCIOUS OR TRAPPED. THERE'S NO WAY FOR ANYONE TO GET INTO THE CAR TO HELP ME.

Mileage: 195,000

20180815CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 PONTIAC VIBE. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

Mileage: 89,000

Compare 2004PONTIACVIBE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 PONTIAC VIBE have?
The 2004 PONTIAC VIBE has 314 NHTSA complaints, 21 crashes, 1 fires, 37 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 PONTIAC VIBE?
Yes, the 2004 PONTIAC VIBE has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 PONTIAC VIBE?
The most-complained component for the 2004 PONTIAC VIBE is AIR BAGS with 103 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS and VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR.
Is the 2004 PONTIAC VIBE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.