2003 Pontiac Vibe lights complaints

Filed Jul 11, 2006 · Body, Lights · TX

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.

Filed Jun 1, 2006 · Body, Lights · IL

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:

Filed Jan 18, 2006 · Body, Lights · 17,700 miles · NJ

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 -

Filed Feb 9, 2004 · Lights · IA

Automatic headlight sensor is too sensitive.

Filed Feb 3, 2004 · Lights · MN

Chronic problem of overly sensitive "automatic" headlights turn on during daylight hours making instrument panel lights unreadable.

Filed Jan 31, 2003 · Lights · MI

Automatic headlights turn on in daylight - can't see dash. In the morning and evening when the sun is low and in your eyes, I wear sunglasses like most drivers. The automatic lights come on and dim the dash making it impossible to see. You can fiddle with the dash intensity and read it again, but it is annoying to do this all the time. The radio stays dim and is unadjustable by the dash intensity lights, making it impossible to see. You have to move your head to funny angles or remove your sunglasses to see the radio. I feel fiddling with the dash lights and/or removing your sunglasses to operate the radio are distractions to the driver and increase risk of accident. The dash lighting on the vibes is critical as it is because the dash lights must stay on all the time. This is because they are in a tunnel and you can not see them, even in bright light, without the dash lights on. Couple in the fact that pontiac uses red backlighting for the dashboard and the dash gages are already at a sight disadvantage. Throw in a touchy light sensor that turns on your headlights (and dims the dash) and it is not a good situation. The sensor is too sensitive and I noticed complaints on forums such as genvibe.com and matrix-vibe.net that make mention of the same problem. Sensor should be disactivated or replaced with less sensitive type. I have a 2000 pontiac montanna with automatic lights and it works flawless. Only comes on at dusk. Never comes on with a low sun (dawn, dusk) shinning in your eyes. Please note that my light sensor in my vibe is in the upper left corner of dash and it is not blocked in any manner. This location seems stupid for a light sensor also, as shadows from the a-pillar make it come in of the sun is blocked from the a-pillar. Keith nelson

Filed Jan 21, 2003 · Lights · 900 miles · CA

2003 pontiac vibe. Vehicle has a sensor that turns on the interior lights and taillights. These lights are not illuminated until 15-20 seconds elapse. I noted my wife driving away with headlights but no tail lights after she started the car after sunset. The tail lights came on as she was two blocks down the street. I believe this is a very danger design flaw that should be corrected immediately. Thanks

Filed Sep 19, 2002 · Lights · TX

Automatic headlight sensor is mounted on left side dash. Shadows caused by left side roof pillar and/or texas inspection and registration stickers cast shadows over sensor at certain times of the day and orientation of the sun causing headlights to turn on with resultant dimming of dash lights and instruments to an un-readable level. The effect is quite shocking and leads the driver to initially believe that the car has lost all electrical power. Dealer has indicated no known fix has been identified. A similar sensor on my buick rendevous is located in the center of the dash where shadows don't present such a problem.