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2006 Pontiac Vibe airbags problems
moderate
Owners of the 2006 Pontiac Vibe have filed 115 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 156,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Q1 81kmed 156kQ3 170kn=22
Complaints
115
Recalls
4
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Pontiac Vibe, by model year
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle
model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for these recalls are J0A (Zone A Toyota), J0B (Zone B Toyota), J0C (Zone C Toyota), JLI (Zone A Lexus), JLJ (Zone B Lexus), and JLK (Zone C Lexus). Note: This recall includes vehicles that have had their air bag previously replaced under an earlier air bag campaign.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall
An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March 18, 2003, to August 25, 2004
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-285 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag. The recall began on July 13, 2015. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Pontiac owners may call 1-800-762-2737. NOTE: This recall supersedes recall 14V-312 in its entirety.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, along the Gulf Coast, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15V-043 and 15V-286 are under a Do Not Drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the passenger side front air bag, free of charge. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota began the recall on July 13, 2015. Pontiac Vibe owners may contact GM at 1-800-762-2737. GM began the recall on June 29, 2015. NOTE: This recacll supersedes recall 14V-655 in its entirety. For vehicles located in the U.S. states not listed above, please see Toyota recall 15V-285 which covers all other U.S. states.
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.
Service Bulletin18-NA-094Apr 2024
This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
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.
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.
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
airbags
· filed 12/30/2015
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…
airbags
· filed 12/28/2015
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.
airbags
· filed 12/23/2015
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…
airbags
· filed 12/20/2019
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…
airbags
· filed 12/18/2015
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…
airbags
· filed 12/17/2015
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…
airbags
· filed 12/16/2020
Recall notice received 10/2019, and no one has agreed to resolve the airbag issue
airbags
· filed 12/14/2015
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.
airbags
· filed 12/09/2019
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…
airbags
· filed 12/09/2015
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?
Yes — 4 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.