I own a 2003 pontiac vibe gt. There is a constant problem with the visibility of the instrument panel, during sunny times wearing sunglasses and during morning and evening hours when the light sensor turns on the headlights and dims the panel lights. I should not have to struggle to read readily available information such as speed! I can't avoid driving my car in certain lightning conditions.
2003 Pontiac Vibe body complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 24 of 24, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a pontiac vibe, purchased new in 2003. Shortly after purchase I noticed how difficult it was to read the red lighted instrument panel on sunny days. The speedometer numbers and odometer readings are sometimes washed out on sunny days. I recently took a four thousand mile trip through the southwest, and was very concerned over my inability at times to read how fast I was going on the speedometer, and how far I was from my destination due to the difficulty reading the odometer. Trying to read this information going at speeds up to 75 miles an hour was very nerve-wracking and dangerous. The service personnel at my local pontiac dealer said there is nothing they can do to increase the lighting on the instrument panel, adding, nobody else has complained about this. I have seen, however on one website, several complaints about this troublesome dashboard design. I am currently stuck with the vehicle and am still making payments on it. It is a nice car, but pontiac need to redesign this instrument panel before someone is seriously injured or killed. It is the most unusual, and unsatisfactory instrumentation I have seen on a car, and I have been driving for over 56 years. By the way, I pass my illinois driver's license vision test without the need of glasses. Thanks for reading this. Sincerely:
Dt*: the consumer stated the dashboard lights were not bright enough during bright sunny days. The gauges were digital and unable to be read. The dealership and manufacturer determined there was no repair available since this is how the vehicle was manufactured. *jb updated 2/28/2006 -
Instrument panel chrome plating impairs visibility when sun reflects off it.
The windows didn't "wipe" clean of the rain drops when the consumer rolled them down. *ph the rubber window guards at the bottom of the window did not wipe the window when the window was rolled down. This condition caused poor visibility out of all four windows. The vehicle is still covered under it's 36000 mile two year warranty but the dealer refused to provide any assistance.
While driving sun glares on the dashboard, causing poor visibility of the speedometer and other controls on the dashboard. Dealer found no problem.
Instrument panel is unreadable in daylight while wearing sunglasses.
Dash lighting is very hard to see during bright sunny days. *ph
They made the 2003 vibe with see through plastic molding, you cant see it unless you are up close, any small thing that hits it it damages the plastic and it looks like the car is chipped severely...gm will not honor the bumber to bumper warranty for that she said thats what its there to do...how can it protect the paint if it cant protect its self....any help would be appreciated.. Ron hernandez
2003 pontiac viber. While driving on the intersatate today at 70 MPH no over hanging objects, no cars insight, sunroof explodes, showering glass on us, and startling us with loud nosie. Has anyone else experienced this.*ak thanks
While driving, the consumer noticed the sun shine reflected on the dashboard, which resulted in poor visibility. *ak in bright sunlight the dashboard instrument, including the speedometer, engine monitor gauges, and the radio were not visible due to the design and red illumination. *scc
The glare from the sun causes poor visibility of the numbers on the instrument panel.
Vehicle is only 7 months old and has already begun to rust on and around the ''vibe'' emblems.
I noticed my vehicle does not handle well at all in snowy weather. In 4 inches of snow I got stuck three times and finally just had to stay home. I took my vehicle to my dealer and asked about this and it was stated to me that other people had been complaining about the same issue. I am very dissatisfied by this, if I had known the vehicle handles so poorly I would have never purchased it.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Pontiac Vibe?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history