2005 PONTIAC VIBE. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A RECALL FOR THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). COMPONENTS COULD FAIL PREMATURELY OR CAUSE ENGINE STALL OR FAILURE TO START. *KB CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED 120210 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE NOTICED ALSO STATED A FOLLOW-UP LETTER WOULD BE MAILED REGARDING PARTS DISTRIBUTION AND REP…
2005 Pontiac Vibe engine problems
moderate 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH AND THE CAR JUST STARTED TO SLOW DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I PULLED OVER SAFELY AND WAITED FOR TOW SERVICE BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT START. OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO START THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL THAT WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE FAILED, AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE VEHICLE. THE DIAGNOSTIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE RE-FLASHED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V387000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT HE WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECA…
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Pontiac Vibe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 39 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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