2003 Pontiac Vibe: transmission slipping

Filed Aug 27, 2010 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac vibe. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH when the transmission began to slip out of gear. The vehicle was able to continue driving at a low speed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the transmission would need replacing. The contact was awaiting repairs. The failure and current mileage was 75,000. Updated 12/01/10. *lj updated 12/13/10

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Transmission · 26,000 miles · GA

Bought car with 500 miles, could easily slip manual clutch and result in 'burning smell'. Could easily slip clutch anytime after purchase. Around 24k miles clutch has hard time holding in gear, very easy to slip clutch. At 26k miles, clutch no longer holds uphill in high gear. On way to honeymoon the clutch slipped at speed with cruise control causing the car to jump to red-line on the tachometer for several seconds before I manually cleared the cruise control. Many other people have reported the clutch on this car (2003 pontiac vibe gt) to be highly problematic with a short life-span. Gm would not cover the clutch and called it 'user wear and tear', even though many other people have this issue, and those same people have had cars whose clutches have lasted 100k+ (including myself). Dealer charged $600 to replace clutch (labor), and wanted another $800 in parts, which were found for around $150 elsewhere. Gm knows the clutch in the vehicle is defective yet does nothing about it, and it continues to be a problem on newer models, as well.

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · MI

My clutch has been acting up with a strong burning odor since june 2004 around 32,000 miles. It now has 53,000 miles and it constantley slipping. On june 26th 2004 genvibe.com had a meet at joseph pontiac in fenton, mi. Jeff strausser, the vibe brand quality manager, came to the meet along with 7 other gm nummi engineers. I have photos to prove it, there posted at genvibe.com! Jeff strausser admitted at the meet gm knew there is a problem with the clutch failing in the vibe gt models and he was in contact with toyota trying to resolve the issue. He also told me when my clutch goes out he would take care of it. I informed jeff strauser my warranty was running out, he stopped me and said don't worry about we knows there's a problem, I'll take care of it. Jeff strauser has been recently promoted to another model, and now gm refuses to admit to any issues, or to cover it the repair. But they'll fix it for $1,400.00. Many people are having the same issue or have had it replaced, many more people will have this same issue until they change there flawed designed parts. Why should the consumers have to pay to fix there defects. This is a safety issue and if something happens to anyone in my vibe gt, we'll let a jury heard about it.

Filed Apr 27, 2005 · Transmission · 29,000 miles · NY

Clutch began slipping in fall 2004. I purchased vehicle in december 2002 with 325 miles on it. Sold to me as new with full bumper to bumper warranty, that of course excluded brake pads and clutch liner. I driver with almost 30 years experience of manual transmission. This is my 4th vehicle with manual transmission. Took vehicle to dealer after being advised in march 2005 that vehicle couldn't pass ny state inspection due to clutch problem. Inspector would not even hook it up to machine. Of course dealer service said they never heard a noise or any vehicle needing clutch replacement at 30000 miles. They would not absorb cost, and I had to replace to the tune of $1300.00 after their generous discount of 10%. After I complained about original quoted price of nearly $1500.00. I say this, without sarcasm, they were very nice, just wouldn't allow warranty coverage. It should be noted that when I first purchased this vehicle it was after having a different one overnight that I drove off the lot with less than 15 miles on odometer that exhibited problems shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Dealer tried to say it just needed an adjustment, but I refused to keep the car, and had service manager at that time check vehicle. He admitted that it was a defective transmission problem, and the dealership replaced the vehicle when I refused repair. That service manager is no longer with that dealership, so I had no way to collaborate this information without going back to sales. I am halfway through a four year lease. Did not drive much between november and february 2003 as I have another vehicle.

Filed Mar 11, 2005 · Transmission · 12,000 miles · NJ

I'm filing a complaint about insufficiently engineered clutches in pontiac vibe gts/toyota matrix xrs. My girlfriend (who's name the car is under) and I have a 2003 pontiac vibe gt that we purchased new. We're both experienced stick drivers, and have driven the car conservatively, but by 10,000 miles the clutch started slipping. Our dealer claimed that it wasn't possible that it was slipping. It started lightly, but the clutch was completely gone by 12,000 miles. Now in the shop for replacement, we've been inconvenienced by days of having only one car (no loaner car if they think it's your fault), and also have been informed that this repair will not be a warranty repair because it's our inability to drive a manual transmission properly that has resulted in the premature wear. I have many years with standard transmissions, and have never known an abused clutch to go as fast as this one did.

Filed Feb 6, 2004 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · GA

Clutch slipping and is nearing failure. Vehicle only has 15000 miles. Appears many are experiencing premature clutch failure with the 6 speed transmission.