This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Pontiac Vibe airbags problems
moderate 115 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
115
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 65% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 115 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735,15040, 15041, 15043,15044, 15045, 15046, 15406,15438, 15442, 15815, 15816,15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811,17478, 18015, N192273760, N192278940, N212328760, N212328770, N212328780, N212328790, N212328800, N242437050, N242437060, N242437070.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, 15053, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811, 17478, 18015, N192273760 and N192278940.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15047, 15048, 15049, 15050, 15052, 15053, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 28811, 17478, 18015 and N192278940.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Completion Rate Improvement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls 14491, 14735, 15040, 15041, 15043, 15044, 15045, 15046, 15406, 15438, 15442, 15815, 15816, 15817, 15818, 15826, 17009, 17476, 17477, 28810, 17478 and 18015.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 Pontiac Vibes have logged 115 complaints tied to Takata airbag recalls, with the overwhelming issue being parts unavailability stretching months or years beyond recall notices. Multiple recalls have been issued for the same vehicle (campaign numbers 15V285000, 15V286000, 18V833000, 18V883000, and 19V627000). Owners report calling dealers and GM repeatedly since 2015 with no estimated repair date; dealers confirm parts remain on backorder with no firm availability window.
Owners describe the practical burden: recall notices explicitly warned against occupying the front passenger seat due to explosion risk, yet they cannot get the vehicle fixed for extended periods. One owner reported waiting over 90 days; another tracked a delay from July 2015 into 2016 or beyond. Some who brought vehicles in for recall work report the airbag situation worsened—unsecured airbag covers, warning lights illuminating after repair attempts, or communication module replacements ($900+) that did not resolve the underlying problem.
One owner documented an accident at 158,000 miles where airbags did not deploy after striking a guardrail, causing head and other injuries. Another reported a defective steering wheel airbag coil assembly that required $300+ in additional parts with no guarantee of resolution. A third experienced the airbag warning light illuminating continuously at 170,000 miles even after a recall remedy was applied. These are unverified allegations; owners express frustration that parts distribution constraints and lack of repair remedies have left safety-critical systems in limbo.
Same Pontiac Vibe airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Takata airbag recall—parts unavailability
Multiple Takata airbag recalls issued under NHTSA campaign numbers 15V285000, 15V286000, 18V833000, 18V883000, and 19V627000. Owners report recurring delays: dealers and GM unable to provide repair dates or parts availability timelines. Recall notices issued in 2015 remain unresolved as of 2020 in some cases.
When: Recalls issued July 2015–August 2019; complaints span 2015–2020
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Front passenger seat rendered unusable per recall directive; Unsecured or partially open airbag cover after dealership work; Multiple recall notices for same vehicle with worsening condition
Repairs/costs cited: Parts not available; dealers unable to schedule repair. Some owners report communication module replacement ($900+) and steering wheel airbag coil assembly replacement ($300+) did not resolve warning light issues. One recall remedy applied at Paddock Chevrolet followed by airbag warning light illumination.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM recalls 15V285000, 15V286000, 18V833000, 18V883000, 19V627000. Parts distribution disconnect identified in multiple case summaries. GM stated no remedy available and could not provide loaner vehicles. No estimated timeline provided by manufacturer.
Airbag non-deployment in accident
Owner reported airbag system failure to deploy during collision. At 158,000 miles, vehicle struck a guardrail at approximately 20 mph on a wet road; front of vehicle damaged, driver-side seat rail fractured. Airbags did not deploy. Owner sustained head injuries and bruises requiring medical attention.
When: 158,000 miles; accident occurred on wet road downhill
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during frontal collision with guardrail
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed and towed to insurance company. Police report filed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified of the failure.
Steering wheel airbag warning light—defective coil assembly
Owner brought vehicle to Buick dealership with airbag warning light illuminated. Dealer diagnosed defective steering wheel airbag coil assembly. Communication module (1.5/6583) replacement ($900+) did not resolve warning; additional steering wheel airbag coil assembly replacement ($300+) quoted with no guarantee of fix. Airbags were functioning prior to recall parts installation.
When: At or shortly after communication module installation
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated after communication module replacement; Steering wheel airbag coil assembly shorted out
Codes mentioned: 1.5/6583 (communication module)
Repairs/costs cited: Communication module: $900+. Steering wheel airbag coil assembly: $300+. Parts installed sequentially; dealer could not confirm if second part would resolve the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or warranty program mentioned.
Airbag warning light—continuous illumination after recall repair
Owner reported front airbag warning indicator illuminated continuously when ignition turned to on position. Vehicle taken to dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign 15V285000. Remedy failed; warning light persisted. Another owner reported airbag warning light illuminating at 156,000 miles after recall notification received; dealer confirmed parts unavailable.
When: At or shortly after recall remedy applied; recurring; 156,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front airbag warning indicator illuminated continuously upon ignition on; Failure recurring after recall remedy attempted
Repairs/costs cited: Recall remedy under 15V285000 applied but failed to resolve warning light.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 15V285000 (air bags). Remedy ineffective.
Unsecured airbag cover and repeated recall issues after dealer service
Owner took vehicle in for Takata recall service at dealership. After work, airbag lid over airbag was not secure and partially open. Owner received second recall notice for same Takata airbag months later. Multiple subsequent dealer visits failed to secure the airbag; mechanics informed owner the airbag poses safety risk. Owner fears airbag will explode upon hitting pothole or bump.
When: After initial recall service; recurring with subsequent recalls
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag lid not secure and partially open after dealership recall work; Airbag condition worsening with each recall service attempt; Concerns about airbag explosion risk upon road impact
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits; each time airbag condition deteriorated. Several independent mechanics consulted; all advised airbag renders vehicle unsafe to drive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple Takata recalls issued. No resolution achieved despite repeated dealer service attempts.
Synthesized from 115 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 14 most recent
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags) and the part was not available to schedule the recall repair appointment for an extended period of time. The dealer was contacted several times and was unable to determine when the part would become available. The contact was unable to determine when the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v286000 (air bags). The contact stated that dixie Buick GMC (located at 14565 s tamiami trail, fort myers, fl 33912, (239) 489-0600) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The part was not available for the repair. The contact…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v286000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts…
Recall notice received 10/2019, and no one has agreed to resolve the airbag issue
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts unavailable.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 19v627000 (air bags) and stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to repair the vehicle. Apple Chevrolet (8585 159th st, tinley park, il 60487) confirmed that parts were available to perform the recall repair on 02-26-19 and had another recall on…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15v285000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Pontiac Vibe?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Pontiac Vibe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 115 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 81,350 and 170,000 miles, with the median around 156,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 81,350; a quarter make it past 170,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Pontiac/Vibe.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.