Pontiac Vibe jerking problems

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Engine · MN

There were two incidents. 1. I was pulling into a parking spot at a Walmart driving very slowly, to almost reach the parking sign when the vehicle revved and lurched forward. I had to put my full pressure on the brake pedal, and eventually shifted to neutral and the revving subsided. I turned the car off and looked at the floor mat, which was in its usual position, and did not seem to be interfering with the pedal. Since this had not happened before, I rationalize that perhaps my foot had been on both the brake and accelerator. But I did not notice that my foot had slipped at all, and it was definitely on the brake when the revving occurred. 2. Today, my wife called me to tell me she had experienced the same revving while she was parking.

Filed Nov 29, 2017 · Airbags · VA

Takata recall: we have been advised that the passenger airbag is dangerous, and that "in the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, striking the vehicle occupants, and result in serious injury or death." you can imagine that we took immediate action after receiving our airbag recall notice in march, 2017, calling every dealer that we could find, trying to get this problem fixed. Now we have been advised that takata is going bankrupt, leaving us in the lurch. I continue to call dealers and they continue to tell me that there is "no remedy" yet. Since we do not have a fleet of cars, we depend on using this car to drive. We feel that gm and takata are putting our family at risk for a horrible outcome. Of course, we try not to use the front passenger seat but sometimes we have no choice. Please please help us by making this replacement part available. It is incredibly uncaring for gm to put aside this issue and simply let people drive in this unsafe condition. Please advise me on what I can do to help get my car fixed!!! Sincerely, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · 51,000 miles · OH

Sometimes when accelerating, it's slow to move, then a sudden jerk happens if I put pressure on the gas pedal. This happens when driving at lower speeds, I can be entering my garage or accelerating after a stop light or sign. Can be scary when it jerks during acceleration. The steering column is beginning to rattle and shake at about 45 miles sometime at lower speeds as well,a very rough ride on smooth pavement,feels like it's falling apart. The third issue has to do with the airbag indicator light staying on in both drivers and passenger sides while driving. When I went to dealer for an appointment it didn't happen but getting a diagnostic tomorrow for that. Bought the car used last year with about 37,000 miles,always serviced at the dealer where I purchased it. I now have a little over 53,000 miles on it at this time,just local diving.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Engine · 102,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 pontiac vibe. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle jerked violently as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but recurred on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the alternator was replaced but the failure was not rectified. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v387000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2011 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe gt. The contact stated when the key was placed in the ignition the key would not turn and the vehicle would not start. The vehicle would not start until the steering wheel was jerked back and forth. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000 and the current mileage was 57,070. Updated 10/4/11 *cn updated 10/26/11

Filed Jun 6, 2011 · Brakes, Steering · 23,000 miles · MO · crash · 2 injuries

Tl*the contact owns a 2010 pontiac vibe. While driving approximately 40 MPH and accelerating around a curb the vehicle jerked to the right violently. The contact was able to control the vehicle, it was taken to the dealer where the technicians were unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The contact stated the failure occurred a second time while driving approximately 70 MPH on the highway. The anti lock brakes locked and the vehicle would slide while the brakes were applied. The contact stated the vehicle flipped over while driving down a hill. The air bags did not deploy. The contact and the passenger sustained bumps, bruises, and scratches and were transported to the hospital by ambulance where they were released with no major injuries. A police report was filed. The contact stated there were visible skid marks on the road where the vehicle was sliding. The vehicle was towed to a an impound tow lot. The contact also stated prior to the crash while depressing the brake pedal he had experienced the steering wheel turning and locking at high speeds and while the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 23,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2011 · Engine · 86,928 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 pontiac vibe. The contact stated that whenever the vehicle was shifted into any gear, she heard a loud noise and the engine jerked. The contact received a notice for recall 10v387000 (engine and engine cooling) but the dealer refused to honor it. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and stayed on. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that she would have to pay a diagnostic fee. The failure mileage was 86,928.

Filed Feb 8, 2011 · Acceleration, Transmission · 40,000 miles · OR

Feb 3, 2011 was the first occurrence. I put the car in reverse then pulled forward, turning the wheel to the right to give myself room to back up and turn my car so I could pull out onto a busy street going forward rather than backing out into traffic. I was going very slowly and applied the brakes when the car suddenly accelerated very fast. It ran up an 18" rock wall, pushing the brake did nothing, I turned the wheel to the right to avoid a tree while still trying to brake. The brake finally held. A tire was destroyed, it was replaced and taken to my mechanic who found no further damage and no reason for the acceleration. After leaving the mechanic I noticed that it seemed a bit jerky. Two days later I turned the car on while sitting in a parking lot with my foot on the brake, I was still in park so the car did not move, but it did accelerate. It seemed ok after that, monday when I returned to town I discussed it with my mechanic and noticed a report on bloomberg about the issue with toyota acceleration problems and that the problem was also with 2009 and 2010 pontiac vibes.. I checked this site and found 2 complaints about my same issue with the 2008 pontiac vibe.

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Engine · 99,500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 pontiac vibe. The contact stated that as he started the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. When shifting gears, the vehicle would shift hard and would jerk abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the engine control module was replaced. The contact inquired with the manufacturer in regards to the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v387000 (engine and engine cooling) but was advised by the manufacturer that her VIN was not included in the campaign. The failure mileage was 99,500.

Filed Aug 30, 2010 · Acceleration · KY · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 pontiac vibe. The contact started the ignition; and when the accelerator pedal was engaged, the vehicle lurched forward without warning. The failure would occur sporadic. In addition, the failure occurred in the reverse position causing the vehicle to crash into the proceeding vehicle. The front bumper was damaged, and there was no personal injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on six different occasions for the same failure. The vehicle was repaired under two recalls associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v018000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal); and 10v024000 (vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal). The remedy did not correct the problem and the acceleration failure continued after the recall repairs were performed. The dealer and manufacturer were unable to provide any resolutions. The failure mileage was unknown .