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ProblemsByVinFile / 2010-PONTIAC-VIBENHTSA data synced 1 hour ago
2010 · Pontiac
Pontiac Vibe problems
1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 58 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
Reliability score
7.0 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2010 Vibe?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2010 Pontiac Vibe? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
airbags — 31 owner reports
· tends to show around 83,621 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
cruise control — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 27,424 mi · ~$600 to fix
brakes — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 48,000 mi · ~$450 to fix
steering — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 48,500 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 83,621 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2010 Vibe· airbags
Takata recall we received a recall notice in july of this year, stating that parts for our vehicle were not available. The recall also stated it was not safe for a passenger to ride in the passenger side front seat. We called our local dealer in december of this year, and…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 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…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 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…
2010 Pontiac vibe struck vehicle that crossed into right of way of Pontiac vibe at 25 to 30 miles per hour. Airbags did not deploy at dashboard nor did seat belt lock upon impact. Vehicle underwent airbag inflator replacement may 24th 2018 per recall #17477 parts 77204 as…
Had a problem with your 2010 Pontiac Vibe?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Pontiac vibe passenger vehicles
A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: General motors will notify customers when a recall remedy is available for recall 10038: floor mat interference and accelerator pedal. Gm requests that customers take out any removable (carpeted, all-weather, or other) driver's floor mat and not replace it with any other floor mat, and place it in the trunk until the floor mat interference and accelerator pedal recall remedy is ready and implemented. In the event that owners choose not to take out their removable floor mat, general motors strongly recommends that owners use only floor mats designed specifically for the model and model year of their vehicle, and that it is properly installed and secured. Do not use a mat that is flipped over with the bottom-side up, and do not stack one floor mat over another. In addition, check the operation of the accelerator, brake, and clutch (if applicable) pedals to assure that the floor mat does not interfere with them. Owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with 1
This could lead to an increase in vehicle stopping distance and a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will modify the brake vacuum line free of charge. A special advisory letter will be sent to owners of vehicles registered in all other states in the same time frame. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before october 23, 2009. Owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
General motors is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 Pontiac vibe vehicles
The accelerator pedal may become hard to depress, slow to return to idle, or, in the worst case, mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a reinforcement bar in the accelerator pedal which will allow the pedal to operate smoothly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin early february and be completed in late april 2010. Owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 or at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Under investigation
1 open at NHTSA
EAAir Bags › Frontal · opened September 2021
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 58 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Pontiac Vibe is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2010 Pontiac Vibe?
The 2010 Pontiac Vibe is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2010 Pontiac Vibe?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 31 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,621 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2010 Pontiac Vibe a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 58 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 83,621 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2010 Pontiac Vibe?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 31 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 83,621 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 83,621 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Pontiac Vibe has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2010 Pontiac Vibe?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 58 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 hour ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Pontiac/Vibe.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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