This service bulletin provides information on Takata Air Bag Courtesy Transportation Reimbursement Program - Applicable to GM Recalls listed in bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Pontiac Vibe airbags problems
moderate 347 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
347
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 347 airbags complaints filed for the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Pontiac Vibe we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 347.
Airbags accounts for 66% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
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 Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The overwhelming complaint here is the Takata passenger-side airbag recall (NHTSA 17V006/GM N162017009), issued January 2017. Owners received notices months later and have been stuck waiting—many for over a year, some over two years—for replacement parts that remain unavailable. The core problem: Takata inflators can degrade in humid conditions, risking rupture and metal fragmentation that could injure or kill occupants.
GM's solution has been to tell owners not to put anyone in the front passenger seat. Owners with children in car seats report this makes the vehicle unusable for normal family transport. Several tried asking dealers to simply disconnect the airbag as a stopgap; dealers refused due to liability. GM offered inaccurate information about temporary fixes. Dealers consistently claim parts are backordered nationwide, offer no timeline, and sometimes contradict themselves about availability. One owner had repair completed but airbag warning light stayed on; dealer never called back to address it.
Takata filed for bankruptcy, compounding the parts shortage. Owners note other manufacturers (Toyota) completed similar repairs years earlier. One owner reports prior driver-side airbag recall took three years to fix. The situation has forced families to rent additional vehicles, altered driving habits to avoid using the car, and crushed resale value—all while paying insurance and registration on a car they cannot safely use.
Same Pontiac Vibe airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Passenger-Side Airbag Inflator Degradation & Rupture Risk
Front passenger airbag inflators prone to propellant degradation after prolonged exposure to high humidity and temperature fluctuations, potentially causing rupture during deployment with metal fragmentation hazard
When: Recall issued January 10, 2017 (NHTSA 17V006; GM N162017009); owners received notices March 2017 onward
Symptoms owners cite: No actual failures reported in most narratives—risk is prospective; One reported passenger-side airbag deployment at 153k miles; passenger sustained minor burns/injuries (narrative #38); One reported airbag warning light after recall service, never resolved (narrative #8)
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Recall 17V006000, NHTSA Recall 17V006, GM Recall N162017009
Repairs/costs cited: Front passenger airbag inflator replacement required. Parts were unavailable as of complaint dates (2017–2018). One owner reported recall service completed but airbag warning light remained on; independent scan confirmed airbag system fault; dealer unresponsive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 17V006/N162017009: Replace front passenger airbag inflator at no charge. Remedy marked 'NOT YET AVAILABLE' for extended period. GM advised no one sit in front passenger seat until repair completed. Takata filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy during recall period. GM offered loaner vehicles to some owners but others report denial or miscommunication about availability.
Driver-Side Airbag Spiral Cable Failure (Steering Column-Related)
Damaged spiral electrical cable to driver-side airbag when turning steering wheel causes airbag deactivation and warning light illumination
When: One complaint references prior driver-side recall notification ~2012–2013; issue took ~3 years to resolve when parts finally arrived in 2016
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated; Driver-side airbag deactivates
Codes mentioned: Airbag warning light, Toyota spiral cable recall (mentioned for comparison; owner confused this with Pontiac recall)
Repairs/costs cited: Prior recall repair eventually completed by local dealer in 2016 after 3-year delay; owner reports Toyota had improved part available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Parts became available in 2016 after ~3-year delay from original 2012–2013 notification. One GM customer service rep denied any recall existed for this on the 2009 Vibe.
Airbag Non-Deployment During Collision
Airbags failed to deploy or deployed inconsistently in crash events, contrary to design intent
When: Two crashes reported: one at low speed ~3,000 miles (narrative #48, appears pre-Takata era); one at 50–55 mph at ~153,000 miles (narrative #38)
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during slide on black ice/fence collision (narrative #27); Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during deer strike; passenger-side airbag deployed (narrative #38)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was repaired after crashes; specific parts and costs not stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle was covered under NHTSA Campaign 17V006000 (airbags). No specific remedy or warranty program mentioned in narratives.
Synthesized from 347 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 13 most recent
Takata recall of passenger air bag, july 2016. Not remedied as yet. Michael alb erts
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). 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 parts not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Pontiac vibe. While driving between 50-55 MPH, the contact struck a deer. The driver's air bag failed to deploy, but the front passenger air bag deployed. The contact was not injured in the crash. The front seat passenger sustained minor burns and injuries from the air bag deployment, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was able to…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac vibe. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (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…
Takata recall: received recall 150826 (15826) (NHTSA: 16v340) in july 2016. It is now end of december and no resolution has been advised. Warned not to occupy front passenger seat which is unreasonable since the car is used for family trips and will often have passenger(s). So far no evidence of malfunction has occurred but the potential is frightening. Response time is unsatisfactory and…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac vibe. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v340000 (air bags). The contact stated that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 01/31/2017*ct updated 03/07/17.*jb
Takata recall. I contacted gm dealerships. None of the dealerships are able to fix the inflator.
Dealer has been telling me for almost a year the parts are not available, the vehicle does not sound safe to drive.
Takata recall, waiting almost a year for the parts to be available, the car is dangerous to drive.
"takata recall" - I received a recall notice six months ago related to my vibe. The recall specifically states until the repair is performed the front passenger search should not be occupied. As of today, the parts are still not available and the only thing the people at Pontiac can say is "gm does not recommend that anyone sit in the front passenger seat." I believe I've been patient enough…
Had airbags trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Pontiac Vibe?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 347 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 50 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 66,000 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 93,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 66,000; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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/2009/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.