2009 Pontiac Vibe: excessive oil consumption

Filed Feb 4, 2025 · Engine · ND

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Toyota 2.4L 2AZ-FE engine in my 2009 Pontiac Vibe GT suffers from excessive oil consumption due to a known piston ring defect. The rapid oil loss between changes puts the engine at risk of failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This issue poses a serious safety risk because: 1.Oil levels drop unpredictably, increasing the risk of sudden engine failure while driving, which could lead to accidents. 2.No dashboard warning appears when oil is low, making it difficult to detect before damage occurs. 3.Toyota acknowledged this defect under Warranty Enhancement ZE7, but Pontiac Vibe owners were excluded, despite having the same Toyota-manufactured engine. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Independent mechanics have confirmed the excessive oil consumption, consistent with the known Toyota 2AZ-FE defect. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? •Toyota acknowledged the issue in their vehicles but refused assistance for the Pontiac Vibe GT. •GM has not inspected the vehicle, even though they marketed and sold it. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? •No warning lights indicate low oil levels. •Symptoms include rapid oil loss, increased engine noise, and potential knocking if oil is not constantly monitored. Summary for the federal safety agency The Pontiac Vibe GT uses the Toyota 2AZ-FE engine, which Toyota admitted has a piston ring defect. Toyota extended warranties for their vehicles but excluded Pontiac Vibe owners, leaving us with a known defective engine. This creates a safety risk that should be investigated.

Filed Nov 29, 2023 · Engine · ND

TSB 0158-14 IS a Toyota engine that was also used in General Motors Pontiac vibe in 2009 and 2010 The tsb has to do with oil consumption and a tsb was made for Toyota. Not for Pontiac as a result my Pontiac is now consuming oil every 1000kms As they both used the 2Az-FE 2.4 engine

Filed Apr 6, 2020 · Engine · 80,000 miles · TN

I bought a 2009 pontiac vibe with a 2.4l engine a little over a year ago with around 80k miles. I noticed right away that it was using about a quart of oil around every 1k miles. It now has a little over 90k miles and uses about 1.25 quarts of oil per 1k miles. I found that toyota admitted to a problem with the 2az-fe engines that are in their matrix and camrys, as well as the pontiac vibe, and have offered the ze7 warranty enhancement program to replace the pistons and rings in these products to correct the excessive oil consumption issue. I contacted gm service to see if they were going to offer the same program for these engines since they purchased these defective engines from toyota. They responded by saying that there were no open service programs open for this car. I asked them why gm wouldn't admit to the problem as toyota did, and offer a program similar to the toyota program to resolve the issues with this engine. They responded again by saying that there were no open service issues for this vehicle. I think it's very irresponsible of gm to not acknowledge a problem with these engines and offer the same support for them as did toyota who supplied the engines to gm. I grew up as part of a gm family, but won't plan to buy any future gm products due to their lack of support for their customers with an obvious product quality issue as is found here. If toyota acknowledges a problem with these engines and provides support to their customers, why doesn't gm offer similar support since toyota supplied the identical engines to them? Doesn't make for good customer public relations and doesn't provide any incentive to buy future gm vehicles.

Filed Feb 27, 2020 · Engine · 101,200 miles · PA

Due to a manufacturing defect with the engine, the vehicle burns over a quart of oil every 1000 miles. This means it requires a waiver to pass inspection. The 2009 toyota matrix, which shares the same engine, had a recall issued. The vehicle was in motion on a highway. The check engine light and ABS warning illuminated, distracting the driver. There was no collision, but a near miss.

Filed Jan 29, 2020 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MO

This car has the 2.4l toyota 2az-fe engine, which has a known defect in the piston rings, leading to excessive oil consumption. Those of us with pontiac vibes apparently have no recourse through either toyota or gm.

Filed Apr 18, 2019 · MI

I am having issue with excessive oil consumption for the last 6-9 months. Before I hit 3000 miles the oil has burned up and there is nothing on the dip stick. I took it to goodyear and they said to take it to the dealership. I took it to ed rinke in centerline mi, where I purchased my car and they were unable to find why it was happening. When I took it for my last oil change at goodyear in warren mi they said there might be a recall. I have found a forum were others were having the same issue and upon researching it appears to be an issue with some of the toyota's as well. I occasionally notice a burning smell when I am driving but it's not all the time. I also sometimes experience my car catching when it's shifting or shaking when idling. I'm not sure if these issues are related, but when I take it for service they cannot seem to find what is causing the issues. I took it in this past sunday for my latest oil change but this has been ongoing since last year in april 2018 when I took it in to the dealer for the airbag recall.

Filed Sep 15, 2018 · Engine · 95,000 miles · CA

Pontiac vibe with toyota corolla 2zrfe 1.8 liter engine consuming 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. Seafoam / lucas oil solution has been attempted with no positive results. Since neither toyota nor gm will help us, I wonder how long the catalytic converter can last burning the excess oil.

Filed Apr 5, 2018 · Engine · 80,000 miles · NY

Starting about 80,000 mile my car started consuming oil of greater than 1 quart every 1000 miles. Now at 160,000 miles it consumes 1 quart every 500 miles. I have the 2.4 l 4 cylinder engine that came fairly standard with this model year. I have seen this complaint alot on web pages. My rav 4 2006 with the same engine had the same consumption problem. Toyota did an extended warranty on this problem for the rav 4 and I think gm should do the same for my vehicle. Toyota has an advisor out for the sister car the matrix for the same model year.

Filed Mar 13, 2018 · Engine · 80,808 miles · WI

Exsesive oil consumption. Motor can sieze during operation resulting in steering and braking failure.

Filed Dec 27, 2017 · Engine · MN

Tl-contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe ----toyota 2az engine put in toyota--- had engine replaced --- consuming to much oil -- oil consumption design defect in engine ---bought vehicle used from gm --- contact called gm and gm stated they won't replace engine a second time ....0 recalls associated with this VIN.... Cb

Filed May 9, 2017 · Engine · 90,000 miles · MS

Excessive oil consumption

Filed Mar 6, 2017 · Engine · 86,500 miles · MD

Excessive oil consumption, defective piston rings. The 2009 pointiac vibe gt shares the same engine as the 2009 toyota matrix. The engines were manufactured in the same plant. Toyota has issued a warranty enhancement program ' ze7, to fix the premature wear of the defective piston rings. Gm has not issued as similar fix (as of march 2017). Pontiac owners are responsible for cost of the repair.