2005 Pontiac Vibe: complete transmission failure

7 of the 301 complaints about the 2005 Pontiac Vibe describe complete transmission failure.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
typical mileage: 90,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 21 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Complete transmission failure by model year

2009
1
2007
1
2006
1
2005
7
2004
2
2003
8

What owners say

Filed Aug 27, 2019 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 pontiac vibe. Upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove to an independent mechanic and was informed that a torque converter sensor inside the transmission failed. There were no recalls related to the failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · IL

No warning lights - no problems with car - middle of intersection - very loud noise and car froze. Towed to dealer - quoted $4800.00 to replace transmission. No other alternative available according to dealer. Called gm who agreed transmission should not fail with a well maintained - low mileage vibe but since there is no recall there is nothing they can do other than "support the dealer's decisions." I expected this car to last for several more years. The trade in price is not much more than this repair price. Driver was on their way to the highway and if this would have happened a few miles beyond where it did there could have been fatal consequences. With the current ignition recall issue that gm handled so poorly I am concerned that there could be an issue here that they just don't want to look at.

Filed Oct 5, 2011 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · MI

The 5-speed manual transmission failed at approximately 103000 miles. Likely cause was failure of an output shaft bearing. Symptoms of failure began at approximately 90000 miles, which included a vibration in the shifter handle and slight buzzing noise. The noise progressively got louder and more frequent until I had it replaced at 103000 miles. Had I not noticed the cause of the noise, the bearing may have failed while driving, which may have caused the transmission to lock up.

Filed Jul 15, 2011 · Transmission · 159,365 miles · CA

Transmission failure on a 2005 gm pontiac vibe.

Filed Apr 19, 2011 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · NY

In november 2008 my pontiac vibe (automatic transmission) started to shift harshly (literally slamming into gear), the check engine light came on and my mechanic pulled the code p2716 indicating a solenoid/transmission problem. The car was off warranty, but before I had any work done I called both the local pontiac dealer and gm (11/4/2008-documented). Each said the same thing. There was no known problem and no recall. So I took the car to a transmission specialist and paid over $3200 for a new transmission. The car still shifted harshly and the transmission specialist did some research and found a toyota tech bulletin from 2006 that described the exact problem in the toyota matrix (sister car to the vibe-nummi plant). I asked pontiac about this and they still denied that there was a problem. This was also the time of the economic collapse and gm looked like it would go extinct. Now, in sept. 2010, I get the recall notice admitting to the exact problem that toyota described in 2006. I was told to wait for the second letter before going to the dealer to check it out. The second letter came in feb 2011 advising me to go to the pontiac dealer to get the PCM checked. I did that but I already had the correct PCM from the initial failure in 2008. The failure of the now recalled PCM caused extremely harsh shifting which caused transmission damage (metal filings etc. In the transmission-documented) which LED to a complete transmission repair job costing me $3275.45 as well as the replacement of the PCM. My transmission was ruined because of a known faulty part (PCM) that is just now under recall. The right thing for pontiac/gm to do is pay for my transmission repair caused by their faulty part.

Filed Jan 6, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 97,000 miles · NE

2005 pontiac vibe PCM failure. Engine light came on, and the transmission began shifting very hard. Engine code p2716. I have read numerous reports where people are told by dealerships to replace the transmission, and after doing so the symptoms still occur. After finally replacing the PCM, the issues were resolved. That means $4000 in wasted repairs. I have contacted gm with case 71-902887626. The car only shifts poorly when the engine light is on, so it seems logical that the issue is electrically related. (PCM) so far gm has denied that the PCM in this car is affected by the "current" recall. A monkey can put two and two together in this situation. I writing this for other vibe owners who get the run around with gm and their dealership.

Filed Apr 6, 2009 · Transmission · 33,096 miles · TX

2005 pontiac vibe automatic transmission 4-cyl 1.8l at 33k miles, had intermittent check engine light + tough shifting for 1 week, took to 2 repair shops and told it needs a new transmission + torque cylinder. Specifically, the code was "pressure control solenoid" and the transmission fluid was black. Car has been well-cared for, mostly city driving, no mountains or cold winters (but located in houston with heat + humidity). There should be no reason for a car this new with this low mileage to have a serious transmission defect. Engine + transmission are toyota made in the us. Internet searches reveal this may be a known defect of the toyota matrix and pontiac vibe, yet no recalls or service calls have been issued by gm.