Pontiac Vibe engine failure problems

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 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 Aug 15, 2016 · Engine · 128,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Engine · 134,000 miles · CA · crash

Without warning oil consumption went from normal to over 1 quart per 1000 miles. This is a known defect whichtoyota notified its customers of, gm choose not to notify. This excessive consumption, not leaking resulted in a seized engine. Gm is not accepting any responsibility and I believe they owe me either a full repair, or pre-event market value. While they originally offered to cover 2/3 of the repair they have backed away from that offer offering a $2500 customer loyalty on a purchase, both are unsatisfactory to me, as they were made aware of the problem and chose not to notify owners. Car with passenger was in the hoa lane when engine failed causing a 7 lane transition without power. Car was towed, no crash due to the experience of the driver.

Filed Oct 3, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 123,000 miles · CO

Bought vehicle from dearer carfax clear. Driving 55 MPH on road, car engine/transmission seized up and I lost control of vehicle. Tried to put in 1st gear (6 speed manual) clutch would not engage, vehicle died. Battery ok, fluids ok, no prior issues with vehicle, had towed to dealer. Told engine/transmission seized up. Transmission bearings defective, defective main shaft bearing, defective cluster shaft bearing. The vehicle made a grinding noise shortly before seizing up and stopping on the road at a high speed.

Filed Sep 26, 2014 · Steering · 96,400 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,400.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Transmission · 199,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac vibe. While approaching a stop light, the front end of the vehicle made a loud noise. After accelerating, the vehicle seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 199,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2011 · Engine · 91,255 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway during moderate traffic my 2005 pontiac vibe completely stalled and would not restart. After barely making it to the side of the road I called a tow truck to tow me to the dealership. I had went online while waiting for the tow and found that there was a recall for the engine control module that caused the same symptoms as I had. The dealership confirmed the VIN and ordered the recall item. The next day they called me and informed me that they had installed the new control module and the car would still not start and they would need to dig further to find the cause. After digging more into it they called the next day (day 3) and told me that the exhaust camshaft was broken and recommended a new engine due to the amount of sludge and unknown factors with the current engine. The estimate of repair was $6100. I called my mechanic and he said that he could look and see if the camshaft could be replaced or if the engine did indeed need replaced. I had it towed to my mechanic (day 4) when I picked up the car at the dealership I was given a broken bolt that the mechanic said had been the problem. He said it had gotten lodged in a way that caused the camshaft to break., something he had never seen before. When I got it to my mechanic he said the same thing, "that bolt should never have broken and caused the camshaft to jam. I've never seen anything like this." when I ask what could have caused the bolt to break he said "manufacturer's defect. That's it, nothing else would cause a bolt in that position to ever break". He acquired a refurbished engine with about 30k miles on it and replace the entire engine (the cam/bolt had damaged the valves) for about $2600 and it runs fantastic. I was very lucky that when the engine stalled I could get through traffic and make it to the side without getting hit or causing more of a traffic jam.

Filed Dec 4, 2010 · Engine · 46,000 miles · KY

My 2006 pontiac vibe began shifting harshly and the check engine light came on. This occurred beginning before thanksgiving. I received a recall notice on the vehicle earlier in november, stating these were 2 of the signs of the defective part. I called the 800 number on the recall notice and the pontiac representative told me the repair work had not begun on the recall, the representative also told me my car was not one being recalled. I asked why I received the recall notice and she told me all vibe owners got the notice and I would receive another notice when the parts were available. I called a local pontiac dealership and was informed this condition was not unsafe or detrimental to the vehicle. My vehicle has not stalled, nor has the engine died. I have not driven the car of the past week - I own an extra car. I just got off the phone with the pontiac 800 number again and after getting the same "be patient" response, I asked to speak with a supervisor - this time I was informed my car was still under powertrain warranty and should take it to the closest pontiac dealership. My complaint is, 1) why did the first pontiac rep. Give me the stall and delay answer before thanksgiving and I received the same answer today 12-4-10 until I spoke with a supervisor? 2) why aren't the parts available for an immediate fix if the company knows it's a defective part? I also own a 2008 pontiac vibe with the same recall notice that I have not experienced any problems to date. I would have taken the car in for repair before thanksgiving if I were given the correct information.

Filed Feb 2, 2010 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · MI

A slight noise was detected in the vehicle. The noise worsened over the course of a 800-mile trip. The nose was a rhythmic sound that was detectable when the transmission was in gear. The car was towed to a transmission repair shop for diagnosis and repair. The mechanics were familiar with similar problems on this model year car with this transmission. Upon inspection, they found a cluster shaft bearing was destroyed. We were lucky and had stopped driving the car soon enough that there was no collateral damage in the transmission. Had we continued to drive the car, it is likely the bearing would have been totally destroyed sending balls and fragments into the transmission. Ultimately, this could have caused extensive damage to internal components of the transmission which, in a worst case situation, could have caused the transmission to seize. Had the transmission seized while traveling at highway speeds, a crash would have been likely. Once the damaged cluster shaft bearing was found in our transmission, it was replaced with a new part. The transmission was reassembled and returned to service.