2009 Pontiac Vibe transmission problems

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Transmission · 248,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2009 Pontiac Vibe. While driving 20 MPH, the transmission was shifting rough before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle continued driving but at a reduced power. The vehicle stability control(VSC), traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and DTC: P0607 (Powertrain Control Module) was retrieved. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and advised the contact to report the failure with the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 248,000.

Filed Mar 8, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 88,000 miles · WA

Car shuts off completely while driving. Happens completely at random. After placing in park, removing key, re-inserting key, restarting, all is fine for a while. Probably faulty ECM.

Filed Apr 26, 2017 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · SD

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe. While driving 65 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2016 · Brakes, Transmission · 120,000 miles · CA

Repeated front brake repairs to stop heavy vibration when applying brakes. Vibration is extreme in the steering column and the stick shift, and sometimes throughout the car. Repairs were done 3 times in 18 months, and it keeps coming back within a month after repairs. I never brake hard to cause this. Transmission repeatedly pops out of 5th gear during acceleration, reportedly caused by defective or broken synchronizer. Had to replace transmission.

Filed Feb 21, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 89,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving 60 MPH. The instrument panel lights illuminated after the failure occurred. The contact was able to coast onto the road shoulder, restart the engine and resume normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 90,200.

Filed Jan 24, 2012 · Brakes, Transmission · 48,500 miles · AR

When coming to a stop, occasionally the vehicle will lunge forward. I have noticed this on many, many occasions since purchasing the car in july 11. When coming to a fast stop (such as when someone pulls out in front of you or someone suddenly stops in front of you -- ABS is not being used as these are not panic stops) the brakes will work as they should until the car is almost stopped and then the car will lunge forward and I suddenly need to apply more force to the brakes to make the car stop. I suspect that the computer in the car is using engine braking to assist in slowing down the car and when the car hits a certain speed (or some other variable) the engine braking is turned off which causes the amount of pressure that I need to apply to the brakes to suddenly increase which gives the impression that the car is lunging forward. Regardless of what is causing this issue to occur, it is a safety issue. I have grown used to this issue and now can compensate for it, but it is still distressing when it occurs. I have talked to other vibe/matrix owners and they all state that they have the same issue. I believe that this is a significant safety issue as it could easily lead to an accident.

Filed Aug 31, 2010 · Transmission · 14,908 miles · TX

On tues. Morning, aug. 31, 2010, at 6:51 a.m. (per receipt), I was stopped at the precinct line & hwy 183 starbucks drive-through window. My 2009 pontiac vive was in drive & my right foot was on the brake as it would be at a stop light. As my transaction proceeded, I heard a terrific, loud racing of an engine that sounded like a race car & then felt my car begin to move forward. I thought it was the car behind me doing something weird or being somehow out of control. I pushed harder on my brake to protect myself, but my vive started to surge forward. I then realized that this was the "toyota problem" happening to me & I, therefore, put the car in park & turned the engine off. As I put the vive in park, the engine raced wildly & I noticed the tachometer bouncing crazily up the scale. I exclaimed to the workers that my car was doing the "toyota thing." they just stared at me with wide eyes. I tried turning the car on again, this time with both of my feet on the brake; the engine raced wildly once again, & the tachometer bounced wildly. My feet remained extremely firm on the brake pedal. The brake pedal felt strangely weak, as though I was able to push it further to the floor than normal. I turned the vive off a second time & told the starbucks workers that I didn't know what to do, in that I was in their drive-through lane & I was afraid to turn the engine on to try to move away. I was panicked; they remained wide-eyed and speechless at the noise and spectacle. I decided to try a third time; this time the engine acted "normally" but sounded and acted weak. I was very scared as I drove away & was unsure of what the car would do next. I called my husband to meet me at work a few miles away to pick up the car that I no longer trust to drive. The starbucks manager and drive-through window barista who witnessed this event gave their names & phone numbers to us & are willing to confirm the event. Recall 10038 was performed 6 days prior to this occurrence.

Filed Aug 22, 2010 · Transmission · 9,500 miles · PA

I have a 2009 awd vibe which will, at times, upshift after braking causing the car to lurch forward for a second due to the upshift and upon taking my foot off the brake and then applying the brake again apparently does the same thing again. It only does this at about 30 to 40 miles an hour and mostly when going down a moderate hill I come upon no my way home from work. I have advised the dealer of my concerns but they seem to be unable to duplicate the problem and have no idea how to address it. The problem is concerning enough to me that I won't let anyone else drive the vehicle. I have not had the transmission reprogrammed as it doesn't seem to help from what I have read on other complaints. I have had all the other unintended acceleration issues addressed and it is not related to that problem.

Filed Jun 7, 2010 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe. The contact stated that on june 4, 2010, while at a traffic light, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into a wall. The contact sustained major injuries and was hospitalized. A police report was filed. The contact had previously been complaining about the transmission but the dealer refused to repair it. The contact called the manufacturer who referred her to back to the dealer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 50,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2010 · Transmission · NY

I have a 2009 pontiac vibe. I have noticed that the car double accelerates. When you press the accelerator it revs up and the car lurches forward. It doesn't matter how soft or hard you press. I took my car in after the recall and had the accelerator altered but I still notice the problem. I asked the dealer to check the brakes also and they said it is fine. I don't know if its an engine problem but I have always noticed it. Now that these issues have come to light I am validated that my concerns and others who have driven my car are real. I am afraid to have an incident which could potentially lead to injury or death. My five year old rides in the car on a daily basis with me. Please advise me on what to do. Thank you.