A recall was done on the door module controls but after the repair, the airbag warning light lit up. The headlights blow one at a time with in 2 months. One tale light and the third tale light bar on the window also failed. I don't know if it is installation issues or the module caused an electrical overload. No one is willing to admit error.
Pontiac Vibe headlights problems
18 of the 1,867 owner complaints about the Pontiac Vibe describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 23,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
By model year
- 20044
- 200314
Often reported together
What owners say
Electrical system for console is failing. The illumination for the gear shift, temperature control, temperature setting, and fan speed have been faulty since day one. Now they do not illuminate at all and overhead light must be turned on to see what gear the vehicle is in.
Whenever the car is parked outside overnight, and the air temperature drops below about 30 degrees f, the headlights turn on with the headlight switch in the off position. This leads to a dead battery and an inability to start the car the following morning. From my research on this problem, this seems to be a problem with both the 2003 pontiac vibe and its sister car, the 2003 toyota matrix. Toyota has a tsb on the problem for the matrix (el003-03), gm does not have one for the vibe.
An overly sensitive ambient light sensor turns on the headlights and dims the instrument cluster display on a bright sunshine day if the shadow from the a-pillar falls across the sensor. The dimming of the instrument cluster display leads to an inability to read the instruments on a bright sunshine day, thus creating a potential safety hazard. From my research on this problem, this seems to be a problem with both the 2003 pontiac vibe and its sister car, the 2003 toyota matrix. Toyota has a tsb addressing the problem (el007-02), gm does not have one for the vibe.
Every several months both headlights (right and left) burn out at the same time. This has effected only the low beams so far. When the bulbs are replaced, they work fine for several months.
I have a 2004 pontiac vibe , the head lamps and brake lamps have stopped working and the fuses are fine the rear center brake light still works and the brights of the head lamps still work. I was wondering if there have been any other incidents? And the radio display has stopped working also , I have also heard about that from other pontiac owners.
Tl*-the contact owns a 2003 pontiac vibe. While traveling at night the contact noticed that the headlights of his vehicle became progressively dimmer. On further inspection he realized that the plastic cover on the headlight was becoming clouded. The dealer stated that the failure was in the lens it's self and tired to buff the lens clear to no success. The dealer stated that they would sell him new lens at a cost of $100.00 apiece. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 133,981. Updated 4/25/08
Have had to replace headlamp bulbs (either right or left) 3 times within the last year. I have bought the more expensive ones thinking that the cheaper bulbs were the problem and it is still doing it. Have had 2003 vibe since november 2002 and have 125,000 miles on it. First set of headlamps lasted 2 years.
I own a 2003 pontiac vibe gt. There is a constant problem with the visibility of the instrument panel, during sunny times wearing sunglasses and during morning and evening hours when the light sensor turns on the headlights and dims the panel lights. I should not have to struggle to read readily available information such as speed! I can't avoid driving my car in certain lightning conditions.
I have owned my vehicle 20 months, in that time, the headlights have failed 7 times at 3-4 month intervals beginning about 3 months after purchase, usually alternating between right and left. This was not life threatening but it could have been dangerous had it occurred while driving at night. *sc
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Pontiac Vibe headlights
Which Pontiac Vibe years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (14 complaints) and 2004 (4 complaints).
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