2003 Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe 2003

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2003 Pontiac Vibe repairs by problem area

Engine (40%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (11%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (4%)

Other (6%)

Chart based on 136 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Pontiac Vibe.

2003 Pontiac Vibe repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (11%)

$100 - $499 (45%)

< $100 (37%)

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

Chart based on 123 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Pontiac Vibe

Engine not specified

Pontiac Vibe in Colorado, United States
Jan 2009 - Mar 2010
Pontiac Vibe in Minnesota, United States
Dec 2013 - Dec 2013
Dec 2013

132000 mi
catalactic converter was replaced 
Pontiac Vibe in Kentucky, United States
Dec 2014 - Dec 2014
Dec 2014

247000 mi

US $180
Overheating. Radiator clamp loose. Replaced. 
Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada
Apr 2011 - Sep 2013
Mar 2012

104160 mi

C $30
warning light 
Sep 2012

110980 mi

C $350
Noise from Manifold & Drive clean test 

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2003 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

180-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
Jul 2010 - Aug 2016
Mar 2014

170000 mi

US $400
Replaced starter and serpentine belt 
Jul 2014

175000 mi

US $730
Replace shocks, struts, control arms on front end 
Pontiac Vibe in Washington, United States
Aug 2016 - Sep 2016
Sep 2016

130000 mi

US $100
Replaced bad ignition coil. Bad coil caused car to buck and stall. 
Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
- Jul 2011
Jul 2011

US $500
Replaced complete calipers, rotors, pads every 50000 miles 
Pontiac Vibe in Texas, United States
Jun 2014 - Jun 2022
Dec 2015

224000 mi

US $30
Check engine light for evap emission system. I replaced the cannister with a used one and it is working fine 
Jan 2016

US $15
Car was wondering on the road, and once i jacked it up, the bad outer tie rod end was obvious. 
Jul 2016

232300 mi

US $200
Alternator went out, and took the battery with it. 
Jan 2017

238000 mi

US $125
Misfire code, so the plugs were replaced and one new coil pack. After driving a week, a plug backed out resulting in thread damage and it needed a new plug and coil. 
May 2017

243000 mi
Alternator that was previously replaced went out. Not charging the battery. 
Pontiac Vibe in Connecticut, United States
Dec 2012 - Jul 2022
May 2013

164500 mi

US $200
Replaced both O2 sensors. 
Sep 2014

178000 mi

US $9
Broken automatic control valve wire. Replace oxygen sensor. 
Pontiac Vibe in North Carolina, United States
May 2016 - Jun 2018
Aug 2016

104000 mi

US $1207
clutch, pressure plate, and release bearing replaced 
Oct 2016

107000 mi

US $185
Replaced battery; would turn over but not start. 
Aug 2017

127000 mi

US $860
Accessory drive belt tensioner broke while changing belt; tensioner mounting bolt seized in place. 
Pontiac Vibe in North Carolina, United States
Jan 2012 - Sep 2013
Apr 2013

157300 mi

US $150
Fuel began leaking from the fuelrail, which I had replaced. 
Sep 2013

159000 mi

US $120
Had to replace the starter 
Pontiac Vibe in California, United States
Oct 2008 - Mar 2011
Mar 2011

178000 mi

US $349
replaced starter 
Pontiac Vibe in Texas, United States
May 2008 - Jun 2011
Aug 2008

53000 mi

US $50
Door opening handle broke. 
Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
Nov 2009 - Oct 2011
Sep 2010

117000 mi

US $350
Brake calipers seized after never having been changed. Squeal from front brakes was disguising the grinding of the back brakes. Replaced calipers, drums, rotors & pads. 
Oct 2011

143000 mi

US $60
O2 sensor after catalytic converter tripped check engine light. Not broken, but not optimal. 

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2003 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Pontiac Vibe in Connecticut, United States
Dec 2012 - May 2015
May 2014

202300 mi

US $300
Exhaust system replaced to pass emissions. Catalytic Converter was integrated into system, did not want to get into cutting and welding. Replaced exhaust sensors as well 
Apr 2015

221000 mi

US $965
Compressor failed 
Pontiac Vibe in Texas, United States
Sep 2010 - May 2014
May 2014

112000 mi

US $950
Power steering pump replaced Oil pan gasket repaired 
Pontiac Vibe in Massachusetts, United States
Aug 2011 - Jul 2022
Oct 2011

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. 
Nov 2013

110000 mi

US $1000
Clutch had to be replaced 
Jul 2014

116200 mi

US $60
Car wouldn't start. Turned out to be a blown fuse. 
Mar 2016

129000 mi

US $200
front passenger door mechanism had to be replaced as power lock stopped working 
Apr 2017

141000 mi

US $156
replace valve cover gasket 
Dec 2017

146500 mi

US $625
replace leaking front axle seal replace timing chain tensioner 
Pontiac Vibe in West Virginia, United States
- May 2009
Jan 2009

64800 mi

US $350
replace right front wheel bearing 
Mar 2009

67100 mi

US $500
replace left front and left rear wheel bearing 
May 2009

69000 mi

US $420
replace both front struts, boots and strut bearings -- only left side had failed 
Pontiac Vibe in Ohio, United States
Jan 2009 - Aug 2010
May 2010

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. 
Aug 2010

137000 mi

US $1500
Transmission failed. 3rd thru 5th gear synchros failed. Countershaft needle bearings failed A/C compressor failure. 
Pontiac Vibe in British Columbia, Canada
Nov 2003 - May 2010
Mar 2003

186 mi
Warranty work to fix driver's window rattle. Very poorly set into door casing and refuses to stay snug...far too much play. Dealer fix was only temporary and problem remains to this day. Driver can re-snug window manually and repeat when problem recurs 
Feb 2009

53320 mi
Interior heater fan was not blowing any air. Fan motor could be heard running, but no air (or barely any) was getting through dash vents. By the time got to dealer, fan was working fine again and problem has not recurred. Quoted $500 for new fan motor. 

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2003 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

130-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Pontiac Vibe in Iowa, United States
Jan 2018 - Jul 2023
Feb 2018

135000 mi

US $75
Repaired leaking gasket in exhaust. 
Oct 2020

140000 mi

US $1000
Replaced leaking radiator, flushed all coolant, flushed transmission 
Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
Sep 2014 - Feb 2021
Nov 2014

156400 mi

US $250
Wheel bearing replaced. Belt tensioner worn. Replaced belt and tensioner with new parts. 
Aug 2016

174000 mi

US $375
Replaced starter. 
Apr 2018

193000 mi
Cleaned out clogged gas tank filler vent 
Aug 2019

205000 mi

US $225
Left wheel bearing replaced 
Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
Aug 2014 - Feb 2017
Mar 2016

135000 mi

US $170
Universal joint on exhaust rusted away and needed to be replaced on an emergency basis. 
Jun 2016

143000 mi

US $150
Window regulator motor on the driver's side front broke with the window in the down position. Had to wait a couple of days for parts to come in. Repair took about 90 minutes and was easy to do at home with common tools. 
Nov 2016

151100 mi

US $600
Front bearings were worn out and needed replacement.  Also scheduled a new CAT but that hasn't been put on yet. 
Dec 2016

154000 mi
Needed a new CAT at about 153,000 miles. We would still have this car, but the electrical system was damaged in a car/deer accident and no wiring harnesses are available anywhere in the US. Odd parts are hard to find. 
Pontiac Vibe in British Columbia, Canada
Jul 2014 - Jun 2018
Feb 2015

130900 mi

C $200
serpentine belt was cracked, so it was replaced 
Aug 2016

139160 mi

C $1000
Air conditioner needed new compressor 
Pontiac Vibe in Wisconsin, United States
Dec 2017 - Mar 2018
Dec 2017

216600 mi

US $105
A non-metallic rattling noise was coming from the engine bay after a cold start when the car was put into either drive or reverse. It did not make the noise in neutral. Replaced the serpentine belt tensioner and it no longer rattles. 
Feb 2018

220000 mi

US $12
The upstream end of the resonator rusted away from the U-bolt clamp that attaches it to the downstream end of the catalytic converter. Stepped hard on the gas to pass a car and the two sections of the exhaust became disconnected. A very loud exhaust noise ensued until it was fixed. An exhaust reducer fitting and two U-bolt clamps were used to reconnect the exhaust sections back together. The two bars that the rubber exhaust hangers attach to had to be bent slightly because the reducer fitting caused the resonator to be positioned a few inches towards the rear of the vehicle. 
Pontiac Vibe in Missouri, United States
Sep 2015 - Sep 2018
Nov 2017

243000 mi

US $200
Replaced front brake pads and rotors 
Pontiac Vibe in Alabama, United States
Dec 2014 - Mar 2015
Jan 2015

US $300
Leaking Oil Pan Gasket.  
Feb 2015

149300 mi

US $40
Clicking when air set to recirculate. Replaced Air Inlet Door Actuator 
Pontiac Vibe in Missouri, United States
Jul 2016 - Jun 2021
Aug 2016

183484 mi

US $30
4 new spark plugs 
Oct 2016

190732 mi

US $120
New front brakes and rotors 
Oct 2017

221000 mi

US $100
Leaking radiator was replaced with a new one. 
May 2018

234000 mi

US $350
A/C Compressor failed. Replaced with a used unit. 
Pontiac Vibe in Kansas, United States
Jan 2014 - Oct 2017
Aug 2017

210000 mi

US $50
Ac quit working. Turns out to be the compressor clutch plus a leaky water pump. May be the end. 
Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
Dec 2015 - Sep 2017
Sep 2017

172000 mi

US $50
repair hole in the exhaust pipe replaced muffler and tail pipe. 
Pontiac Vibe in Utah, United States
Feb 2016 - Jan 2022
Apr 2016

112 mi

US $60
Down stream O2 sensor was replaced. Common repair for these cars. 
Nov 2017

132000 mi

US $45
Servo motor for ventilation flapper. Common repair on these cars, this one appears that they used car dealer I bought it from disconnected the defective motor so that it would make the flapping noise when test driven. 
Feb 2018

135000 mi
Check Engine Light On - Cleaned Mass Air Flow Sensor. Very common for the Corolla platform. 
Sep 2021

185000 mi

US $120
Replaced front CV axle. 
Pontiac Vibe in Ohio, United States
Aug 2014 - Jun 2018
Sep 2017

172000 mi

US $500
Groaning sound wheel bearings replaced 
Pontiac Vibe in Wisconsin, United States
Sep 2015 - Jan 2022
Nov 2017

224000 mi

US $108
Replace idle tensioner 
Mar 2018

230000 mi

US $20
Exhaust pipe clamp rusted away. Replaced clamp. 
Aug 2018

237000 mi

US $100
replaced original starter at 237,000 
May 2021

289000 mi

US $100
Wheel bearing going bad, bought used front knuckle with bearing and replaced whole unit. 
Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada
Oct 2012 - Nov 2012
Nov 2012

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. 
Pontiac Vibe in New York, United States
Mar 2009 - Mar 2010
Apr 2009

199000 mi

US $200
Took car in for window pin replacement recall. Got it back and it was worse than when it went in. Ended up replacing window track rollers and lubing window mechanism on all four windows. Replaced starter engine cranking over slowly. 
Pontiac Vibe in Texas, United States
May 2009 - Mar 2010
Jun 2009

63000 mi

US $180
replace alternator 
Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada
Jul 2011 - Mar 2014
Mar 2014

209560 mi

C $60
replace blower fan plastic fan had separated, melted from shaft 
Pontiac Vibe in Missouri, United States
Nov 2007 - Jun 2009
Apr 2009

95000 mi
Steady check engine light for last year and a half, ran great, good mileage, not critical. I work at a GM dealer, had it scanned at work, #2 O2 sensor, replaced - light out for emission inspection.  Light back on a week later, evap. problem, won't fix now. 
Pontiac Vibe in Florida, United States
Aug 2007 - Jun 2018
Dec 2008

40000 mi

US $54
Car wouldn't start. Called tow and he cleaned the foam leaking out of battery. Two days later it wouldn't start again & I had it towed & they fixed the battery cable end and I had the oil changed. This is the first problem I've ever had since purchase 
Jul 2010

43000 mi

US $500
used AC compressor and 2 lbs of freon 
Oct 2014

56200 mi

US $100
Sunroof leak, drain hose. 
Feb 2016

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. 
Mar 2018

67000 mi
Noise in Cabin filter hard to describe the sound because it was not loud but loud enough to hear something was coming from the front. Garage made some adjustment to the blower behind the glove compartment. Took them five minutes, no charge. Bob's Tires on Seminole Blvd are the best most trustworthy people! 
Pontiac Vibe in Indiana, United States
Mar 2007 - Feb 2018
Jun 2008

64000 mi

US $300
Rattle in front suspension diagnosed as worn stabilizer bar mounts. Replaced. Rattle cured. 
Aug 2012

105500 mi
A/C cooling was greatly diminished. Dealer checked for leaks, none found, added refrigerant. 
Dec 2012

108000 mi

US $280
Starter failed, and was replaced. 
May 2013

110000 mi

US $80
A/C refrigerant had all escaped since the August, 2012 repair for the same problem. No leak was found then. A dye was added this time, to help diagnose where the leak might be. 
Jun 2013

111000 mi

US $880
AC condenser was leaking refrigerant and beyond repair, so condenser and seals were replaced. 
Pontiac Vibe in South Carolina, United States
Jan 2008 - Mar 2010
Feb 2008

90000 mi

US $450
Blower fan motor needed replacing. 
Pontiac Vibe in Ohio, United States
Mar 2006 - Feb 2009
Jun 2006

20000 mi

US $25
Replaced rear view mirror unit that includes map lights as one of the light switches would not work properly. Bought part on eBay for $25 - replaced it myself. Part at dealer about $65. 
Nov 2008

32000 mi

US $212
Replaced defective HVAC Fresh Air Inlet Actuator. 
Pontiac Vibe in Pennsylvania, United States
Sep 2013 - Sep 2013
Sep 2013

181000 mi

US $600
Catalytic conv replaced 
Pontiac Vibe in North Carolina, United States
Aug 2010 - Jun 2018
Sep 2011

115000 mi
Fuse in AC clutch blew. Found fix online. Took several hours to take clutch away and apart, jumper the fuse, and put everything back. No AC recharge was done. 
Jan 2012

117200 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. 
Oct 2016

171200 mi

US $100
Failed to start. Starter had to be replaced. 
Dec 2017

181000 mi

US $70
Replaced leaking CV axle 
Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2011 - Jun 2016
Jun 2013

105400 mi

C $12
replaced intake manifold gasket. known problem with these cars (rough idle specially in the winter). replaced intake manifold gasket. known problem with these cars (rough idle specially in the winter). 
Pontiac Vibe in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2013 - Jun 2018
Sep 2013

60760 mi

C $1000
strut boots, worn shocks and strcuts. 
Nov 2013

62000 mi

C $145
Faulty timing chain tensioner. Replaced. 
Jan 2015

78800 mi

C $80
Door handle snapped off in -30 degree weather. Handle replaced. 
Jun 2015

71300 mi
Noise when lowering window 
Sep 2015

74400 mi

C $340
Exhaust leaks 
Pontiac Vibe in Texas, United States
Aug 2008 - Jun 2015
Oct 2011

121300 mi

US $250
Starter failed, would not turn engine over. Replaced starter to correct condition. 
Feb 2015

169400 mi

US $20
Code P0171 - when cold and accelerating - Found intake gasket dry and brittle. Replaced intake gasket with new design. 
Jun 2015

178000 mi

US $20
Valve cover gasket leaking. Replaced valve cover gasket. 
Pontiac Vibe in Florida, United States
Jan 2012 - Sep 2013
Apr 2012

151700 mi
Ran Sea Foam in the oil, drained, added .25qt more than the factory specs, seems like there is a FSB on that extra oil. I did check it recently and it seems to be using about .5qts per 1000 miles, which I can live with at 152K miles. 
Jul 2012

155700 mi

US $25
accessory belt front bearing 
Pontiac Vibe in Connecticut, United States
Jan 2012 - Jul 2022
Nov 2012

61600 mi

US $700
Break hose damaged, front break stuck. New calipers, rotors, pads, hose, fluid. 
Jun 2017

78000 mi

US $130
A/C blowing warm air. Compressor Clutch not engaging, clutch coil showing open circuit. Entire clutch assembly was replaced. Clutch now engages but the A/C is still blowing warm air, partial success. 
Aug 2017

81000 mi

US $200
Blend door actuator was failing. This is normally replaced, but in this case it was taken apart and the cog wheel readjusted so undamaged area and cogs were now in contact with the gear. Condenser replaced, oil added, valve in high side A/C port replaced, A/C system evacuated and recharged. 
Mar 2018

83000 mi

US $225
Front right caliper failed. Replaced with rebuilt unit, replaced front rotors and front pads. 
Apr 2018

83000 mi

US $100
Replaced front right brake hose. Replaced the rubber that goes around the rear left door opening on the frame itself (not the door) 
Jun 2018

85000 mi

US $10
Stereo backlight burned out. Time and radio frequency could not be read. Removed stereo, disassembled head unit, de-soldered burned out bulbs, soldered new bulbs in. 
Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
Nov 2010 - Sep 2013
Dec 2010

85000 mi

US $10
Gross oil leak at timing chain tensioner o-ring. Remove and repair with RTV. 
Jun 2011

87000 mi

US $20
Previous repair of cracked exhaust intermediate pipe had rusted out. The original problem occurred about 3 years ago. 

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2003 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

123-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

Pontiac Vibe in Ohio, United States
Jul 2012 - Sep 2016
Aug 2014

158000 mi

US $80
Drivers-side door, outer seal for window. Replaced due to tearing / deterioration of the original. 
Pontiac Vibe in Illinois, United States
Nov 2009 - Mar 2010
Dec 2009

103000 mi

US $150
right rear wheel bearing went out. absolute nightmare to find a new one.  
Pontiac Vibe in Quebec, Canada
May 2013 - Jun 2013
Jun 2013

86800 mi

C $450
catalytic blocked. Changes for a used one. 
Pontiac Vibe in Michigan, United States
Oct 2009 - Oct 2011
Jan 2011

US $425
Radiator replaced. 

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2003 Pontiac Vibe Repair Histories

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 2003 Pontiac Vibe problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.