| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive Pontiac Vibe repairs by problem area
Engine (37%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (23%)
Brakes and Traction Control (7%)
Suspension and Steering (9%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 43 repairs.
Pontiac Vibe repair cost distribution
$2500+ (7%)
$1000 - $2499 (93%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 28 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
158-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 64020 mi C $250 |
replaced both left and right transaxle/differential seals that were slightly leaking/weeping. |
| 79360 mi C $1173 |
The centre or steady bearing had worn to the point of defective. The part is not repairable replaceable, therefore a new rear drive shaft was installed. A two piece shaft, u joints and centre bearing were installed with a one year warranty from a supplier in British Columbia. |
| 94240 mi C $850 |
replaced rear brake calliper, both front brake callipers, all rotors and brake pads. The callipers were not operating properly/partially seized. |
| 155000 mi US $1500 |
bearing in AWD clutchpack went bad and needed to be replaced. |
| 178000 mi US $200 |
replaced rotors, pads, fron and rear |
| 182000 mi US $250 |
emission system small leak, large leak, flow out of specification, O2 sensor out of spec. Did a smoke test, replaced cap, replaced purge valve, still failing emissions. |
| 83000 mi US $400 |
Normal brake repair for wear/tear. |
| 719000 mi US $1500 |
Differential |
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 176700 mi C $1280 |
Compressor |
| 177940 mi C $500 |
Water pump seized |
| 80000 mi US $500 |
Alternator and belt replacement |
| 90000 mi US $800 |
replaced pads |
| 105000 mi US $2000 |
Timing chain |
| 120000 mi US $350 |
Water pump |
| 160600 mi C $1200 |
cat converter needed to be replaced |
| 189100 mi C $550 |
water pump and serpentine belt |
| 192820 mi C $500 |
replaced front rotors and pads and serviced rear brakes |
| 198400 mi C $325 |
ignition coil replaced |
| 203980 mi C $400 |
evap solenoid |
| 87000 mi US $400 |
OEM toyota (Corolla) water pump failed. Began making noises in cold weather. Diagnosed by mechanic after taking off serpentine belt and spinning the spindle by hand to hear the failed bearings inside. |
| 89000 mi US $650 |
Alternator failed. Replaced with a rebuilt model |
| 95400 mi US $130 |
throttle body pids were recalibrated and plates were cleaned of carbon to try to eliminate a diving idle issue when coming to a complete stop. When bad, idle drops to 650 rpm instead of the normal 750 rpm. Cleaning solved some of the issue |
| 104000 mi US $270 |
Idle dives below ideal level when coming to hard stops at stop signs. Issue is intermittent. Decided to have redesigned Toyota intake manifold (orange) and new PCV installed, as well as any observed carbon removed. Issue not fully resolved |
| 112900 mi US $100 |
New drive/serpentine belt. OEM belt had a rubber sliver showing upon examination by owner. |
| 113000 mi US $2200 |
Timing Chain cover leak. Entire engine needed to be removed to install a new gasket. |
| 152000 mi US $325 |
Driver's side inner tie rod required replacing. |
| 186000 mi C $2500 |
Transmission fluid was changed by Jiffy Lube. They put the wrong fluid in and burned out the bearings and syncro gears resulting in a rebuild. |
| 51960 mi C $501 |
Car wouldn't start. Battery okay, but engine would not fire up. In the extreme cold, condensation had formed in the fuel system, and that plus old plugs were the cause. New plugs, injector cleaning and new fuel filter had the Vibe humming sweetly again. |
| 55800 mi C $640 |
Water pump was leaking. New pump installed and a new serpentine belt installed at the same time. |
| 58900 mi C $619 |
Ignition Coil failed Fuel Injector seals leaking. |
| 62620 mi C $408 |
Rear brakes seized. New rotors and pads required, plus freeing and lubrication of calipers. |
| 65720 mi C $320 |
Front rotors and pads needed to be replaced. |
| 81840 mi C $2800 |
The alternator stopped working. AC pipes leaking. They had to be replaced, as they had rotted away! The heatshield between the rear muffler and the trunk floor fell off when the retaining bolt holes rotted through. The ABS was applying itself without warning when travelling at speed. This was a potentially dangerous problem, which required immediate attention. Parking brake cable broke and needed to be replaced. |
| 90520 mi C $160 |
Ignition Coil failure |
| 91140 mi C $680 |
All brake rotors and pads were replaced. |
2008 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 31000 mi C $110 |
Cabin fan was noisy and replaced under warranty. |
| 113240 mi C $1250 |
Fuel pump failed while on highway without warning, resulting in engine stall and failure to start. Replaced fuel pump and flushed system. Limited parts availability required second day. |
| 123861 mi C $1200 |
Water pump leaking and new belt required. Dealer suggested replacing both before complete failure. Also maintenance work required to replace rotors and drums (but not pads) after 60,000KM plus transmission fluid flush. Water pump was leaking. Dealer suggested replacement before complete failure. Fuel pump failed. |
2007 Pontiac Vibe
Engine not specified
| 159500 mi US $1500 |
throw out baring or transmission bearing |
2007 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 103000 mi US $1760 |
Had struts/shocks replaced front and back; front end alignment and separate alignment for rear tires; new tires as well |
| 115000 mi US $175 |
Heat shield had broken loose and rattled--had it replaced. |
| 122500 mi US $455 |
Air Inlet Actuator in dash needed replacing |
| 131600 mi US $650 |
Engine cooling fan cracked and whole housing had to be replaced |
| 76000 mi US $1800 |
Engine light came on and car began shifting hard. Transmission damaged due to faulty $1,200 PCM which the dealer installed and replaced for free under warranty. Had to replace a damaged wiring harness. Transmission rebuild. |
2006 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 69000 mi US $100 |
Headlights only worked with "brights" on. Was told rear brakes needed to be cleaned, adjusted. |
| 95000 mi US $350 |
Radiator fan was wobbling and grating against the radiator intermittently (esp. when AC was on). They replaced the fan motor. That fixed it. |
| 103900 mi US $1200 |
New shocks and struts, front and rear. |
| 106000 mi US $300 |
Problem from Nov. returned. PCV valve replaced and other fuel service performed. Problem solved. |
| 117800 mi C $2000 |
Replaced several parts of the suspension. I drive gravel, so the excess wear is essentially my doing. |
2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
164-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 112000 mi US $2200 |
replace clutch, ac and brakes |
2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 86260 mi C $1500 |
Clutch |
2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
126-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 124000 mi C $1000 |
Brake caliper on driver's side had seized and therefore needed replacement. Mechanic advised replacing both calipers to ensure consistency with braking performance. |
2005 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
118-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 164000 mi US $1600 |
Wheel axle nuts un removable. Had to buy replacement. Several oil and grease leaks had to be fixed. |
2004 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
180-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 140000 mi US $1400 |
Replaced clutch and flywheel |
| 205200 mi US $420 |
Straightened bent pins in fuse box that caused radiator fan to stop functioning. Replaced blower motor for heat/ac which had stopped working. |
| 213500 mi US $256 |
Replaced front pads and rotors |
| 219000 mi US $400 |
Water pump gave out. Replaced it. |
| 154000 mi US $1500 |
Head gasket went bad. |
2004 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 150000 mi US $1100 |
Engine threw a rod after the big freeze in February 2021. The car has exhibited low oil pressure before, but that was possibly the oil pressure sensor that was previously replaced a couple of years prior. Freeze could have been a coincidence. Replaced it with a used JDM engine. |
| 179000 mi US $1200 |
Replaced engine gasket and oil pan gasket AC Condensor and Compressor had to be replaced. |
2004 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD
| 28000 mi US $882 |
Broken tailpipe at joint to muffler. |
| 27274 mi US $1100 |
The exhaust pipe sheared flush with the muffler clamp that holds the ball joint. This should be a $175 repair maximum on any car I've ever owned(as well as on the FWD Vibes). If you live where you need AWD prepare to pay $3K for exhausts by 100K |
2003 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
180-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 104000 mi US $1207 |
clutch, pressure plate, and release bearing replaced |
| 107000 mi US $185 |
Replaced battery; would turn over but not start. |
| 127000 mi US $860 |
Accessory drive belt tensioner broke while changing belt; tensioner mounting bolt seized in place. |
2003 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 134000 mi US $125 |
Accessory belt tensioner was making noise. Replaced belt tensioner, belt was changed at 108,000 miles. Part was $125 after taxes from Autozone. Repair took about three hours, mainly due to limited tools. |
| 137000 mi US $1500 |
Transmission failed. 3rd thru 5th gear synchros failed. Countershaft needle bearings failed A/C compressor failure. |
| 93000 mi US $982 |
Driver window regulator broken - replace glass. Power locks/windows elec. issues - replace cable & fix wiring. Driver exterior door handle broken - replace w/ new. Clogged AC drain - clear. |
| 110000 mi US $1000 |
Clutch had to be replaced |
| 129000 mi US $200 |
front passenger door mechanism had to be replaced as power lock stopped working |
| 141000 mi US $156 |
replace valve cover gasket |
| 146500 mi US $625 |
replace leaking front axle seal replace timing chain tensioner |
2003 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch
130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 60760 mi C $1000 |
strut boots, worn shocks and strcuts. |
| 62000 mi C $145 |
Faulty timing chain tensioner. Replaced. |
| 74400 mi C $340 |
Exhaust leaks |
| 130900 mi C $200 |
serpentine belt was cracked, so it was replaced |
| 139160 mi C $1000 |
Air conditioner needed new compressor |
| 153800 mi US $1000 |
Converter was replaced, causing MIL. Intake gasket worn out causing air leakage. Gasket was replaced. Controller failed reporting false problem with passenger airbag. |
| 171200 mi US $100 |
Failed to start. Starter had to be replaced. |
| 52400 mi US $500 |
used AC compressor and 2 lbs of freon |
| 56200 mi US $100 |
Sunroof leak, drain hose. |
| 61600 mi US $1490 |
I paid $1360 to have one door w/deep scratch painted, tailgate faded was painted, front bumper, rest was wet sand and buff Was poor job but redid and was mostly satisfied with final result Plus about $130 replace rear door handle came off. |
| 140000 mi US $1000 |
Replaced leaking radiator, flushed all coolant, flushed transmission |
See TrueDelta's information for all Hatchbacks
See TrueDelta's information for all Pontiac models.
