2005 Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe 2005

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2005 Pontiac Vibe repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (9%)

Brakes and Traction Control (9%)

Suspension and Steering (14%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 117 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe.

2005 Pontiac Vibe engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (14%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (51%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 35 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Pontiac Vibe

Engine not specified

51000 mi I felt a kind of "roll" under the accelerator pedal sometimes but ignored this until using cruise control a couple months ago and the car speeded up and slowed down on me. I thought this would end up a costly "Toyota" mystery problem so got rid of it. 
123000 mi

US $75
replaced intake manifold gasket. 

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2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

164-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD

152000 mi

US $429
Check Engine light cleared for codes P0441, p0455, p0456 
150000 mi

US $125
Repair to emissions system: valve replaced. Check engine light came back on after repair for same codes. 
153000 mi

US $15
Replaced gas cap due to intermittent check engine light. 
140000 mi

US $100
Replaced starter motor. Easy job that took me a few hours to figure out. 
200000 mi

US $30
change out valve cover gasket. apparently not the source of leak (car leaves tiny 1.5" drops of oil on occasion). Owner (me) is obviously excessively fussy. Wouldn't have bothered except that I was 100,000 miles overdue for checking valve lash. Valve lash perfect, need not have bothered. 

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2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

79360 mi

C $20
Oil pressure sending unit was leaking. Replaced the sending unit myself inexpensively. 
170500 mi

C $1400
Clutch was slipping. 
86260 mi

C $1500
Clutch 
93000 mi

US $80
Exhaust broke in half at weld by rear axle Intake manifold gasket failed, causing rough idle and check engine light in below freezing temperatures when car was partially warmed up. 

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2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

119040 mi

C $40
Exhaust weld rusted at the catalyst converter. Replaced with an homemade pipe. 
164000 mi

US $9
Rough idle due to dirty MAF sensor. Bought can of appropriate cleaner, used as directed, and car is back to normal. 
82000 mi

US $325
Engine computer performance testing and replace mass air flow sensor 
81000 mi

US $600
Powertrain control module needed to be replaced. 
86000 mi

US $477
Evap canister vac pump 
131000 mi

US $10
leaking intake manifold gasket per Toyota TSB-EG045-07. Replaced intake gasket, throttle body gasket and replace serpentine belt 
19000 mi Engine has a "hot start" clatter when sitting for 15-25 min. Dealer could not duplicate because they didn't let it sit for the 15-25 Min. time reguired. 
64960 mi

C $8
Intake manifold gasket 
67980 mi

C $100
Water pump leaking and bearings were shot (very louding 'marbles in a can' noise) 
98000 mi

US $400
While driving I felt a small vibration emanating from the car every time I pressed on the accelerator. I took the car to my mechanic for diagnostic test and discovered 2 bad ignition coils.  And head gasket needed to be replaced. 
110000 mi

US $524
Engine light remained on while driving. My mechanic performed a diagnostic test and found out the catalytic converter was malfunctioning and needed to be replace. 
120000 mi

US $495
Engine running lean. Replaced spark plugs (first ever), replaced exhaust manifold gasket, cleaned fuel system. 
132000 mi

US $351
Noticed heater wasn't blowing hot air. Hubby ck'd and found radiator fluid leak. Took to local repair shop; found source of leak was radiator which they replaced. BAM! problem solved! Heating great again!!! 
62000 mi

US $500
Fuel pump went out. Replaced. 
89000 mi Timing chain makes noise. Either the chain or tensioner needs replacing. 
137100 mi

US $780
Leaking timing chain seal, replaced seal and tensioner 
115700 mi

US $150
Exhaust pipe rusted out right before the muffler connection. Replaced pipe between catalytic converter and muffler. 
78000 mi

US $49
Check Engine light - Diagnosed as loose fuel cap. Light reset and has not come back on. Paid $49 for diag and reset. 

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2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

118-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

69440 mi

C $90
Service engine light was on at times and reset by code reader. The codes displayed over two week period were P0134 - several times, P0138 once, P0130 once, P0133 twice. Replaced the upstream oxygen sensor on the manifold with Denso 234-4801 
75100 mi

C $120
The worn/broken gasket, rusted bolts and springs were replaced at the engine manifold and the start of exhaust pipe. 
88660 mi

C $51
Replaced thermostat and gasket. 
94240 mi

C $565
The exhaust manifold developed a crack and could not be repaired. Replaced the piece that includes both the exhaust manifold and catalytic convertor with a piece from a recycle site and new gaskets for both ends from the dealer. 
95000 mi

US $20
Oil Dipstick broke off just above where it is bolted on the engine from vibration 
256000 mi

US $25
Timing chain tensioner o-ring leak. Replaced with new tensioner and o-ring 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Pontiac models.

2005 Pontiac Vibe Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 Pontiac Vibe problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.