2009 Pontiac Vibe Pontiac Vibe 2009

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2009 Pontiac Vibe repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (13%)

Suspension and Steering (10%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (26%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (9%)

Other (4%)

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Chart based on 164 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe.

2009 Pontiac Vibe electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (15%)

$100 - $499 (40%)

< $100 (40%)

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Chart based on 40 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 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

18300 mi Radio quit working properly--they replaced immediately 
34000 mi Radio volume button stopped working--this is the second new radio for same problem 
2800 mi Speedometer not correct. Off by 4MPH at 65. At 65MPH you are going 56MPH. No repair done. Factory says that it is within tolerance...... 
101000 mi

US $490
Alternator replaced $225, car wouldn't start. New Battery $120 and Micro-v belt $30, Labor $81 
108722 mi Had new tires installed and the tire pressure sensor light stayed on... one is bad. Didn't replace. No repair/no cost. 
4000 mi The lighter didn't work - wouldn't stay in when pushed in. They repaired the part that is supposed to hold in the lighter when it's pushed. 
91100 mi

C $175
Original battery was getting very weak, so changed before getting stranded. Now turns over much faster and even idle speed is lower - was probably compensating for low voltage. 
130820 mi

C $150
Battery was testing poor after nearly 7 years. Changed proactively before failure. 
3000 mi Short in dome light/sun roof switch unit. 
152000 mi

US $75
Air bag sensor in the seat malfunctioned intermittently. Replaced the compete seat with one from a salvage yard. 
62000 mi

C $700
Alternator died. Replaced alternator and battery. 
58700 mi

US $65
Replaced one Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor. 
66000 mi

US $350
Electrical Charging System light came on while driving and headlights turned off. Took the battery to Auto Zone and said cells were dead. Turned out after replacing battery alternator was bad too. 

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2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

158-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual FWD

62000 mi

US $120
Needed new battery. Battery was replaced. 
110000 mi Replaced defective passenger side airbag. Recall item. 
35960 mi

C $750
AC switch 
88040 mi

C $140
Lights came on and went off on the dash a number of times. Dealer cleaned the throttle body and unblocked an A/C hose that was dripping on th O2 sensor 
122140 mi

C $340
tracking switch 

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2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

158-horsepower 2.4L I4 4-speed automatic AWD

66700 mi

C $30
Lighting at night seemed to be poor. replaced both headlights and slightly adjusted the aim of the headlights. 
77500 mi Warning lights on dash all seem to come on for no apparent reason. eg. Check engine, abs, all wheel drive. I briefly disconnected the battery to reboot the computer. No other related problems. Everything seemed to work even though those lights were on. Repair may last several months before it re-appears, and I have to repeat the repair procedure. 

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2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

115000 mi

US $100
Alternator replaced 
117500 mi

US $200
Starter replaced 
61000 mi

US $150
Radio volume knob has become disconnected. 
57000 mi

US $350
Front wiper blade motor failed. Replaced with new wiper blade motor 
115000 mi

US $800
Alternator and belt replaced. 
127000 mi

US $147
Alternator making whirring noise. Diagnosed by listening through fat end of large screwdriver at different points; loudest at alternator. Replaced with remanufactured part from Autozone. Nice and quiet now. 

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2009 Pontiac Vibe 4dr Hatch

132-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

115000 mi

US $150
Alternator failed, very easy to replace 
123000 mi

US $80
Starter replacement, 60% of the time the solenoid would stick and make a grinding noise. 
81840 mi

C $2800
The alternator stopped working. AC pipes leaking. They had to be replaced, as they had rotted away! 
41000 mi

US $916
Alternator went completely out on family vacation with no warning. Towed to only shop in town. Took 5 days to get alternator. After alternator was repaired by other shop they advised AC compressor clutch locked up. We chose to take to dealer who confirmed problem. Dealer replaced AC compressor. 
67400 mi After improperly diagnosing the problem as a timing gear actuator, I got the dealer to put in a new Denso starter under warranty. Problem solved. 
89000 mi

US $650
Alternator failed. Replaced with a rebuilt model 
80000 mi

US $500
Alternator and belt replacement 
149180 mi Vent control cable ripped .fell off shortened and put back on 
176700 mi

C $1280
Compressor 
111500 mi

US $155
Rebuilt alternator - self-replaced. 
130000 mi Replaced battery and alternator. 
26000 mi VOL knob "broke" so volume could not be adjusted, but ON/OFF "push-button" action was still working. The "radio manufacturer" demanded the radio be "reprogrammed" BEFORE they'd send a replacement, even though... 
91220 mi

C $420
replaced alternator but required a tow 

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2009 Pontiac Vibe 4-door

8-cylinder diesel automatic 4WD

98000 mi Replace battery 

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

2009 Pontiac Vibe Electrical 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 2009 Pontiac Vibe problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.