AI Damage2008 Pontiac Vibe: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Pontiac Vibe filed 63 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 63
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 76% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 3% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 3% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 3% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 2% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 2% of all complaints
- Air bags: 48 complaints (76% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 4 complaints (6% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (5% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (3% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 2 complaints (3% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 63 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 48 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While pulling into a driveway the vehicle accelerated on its own continuing forward with brake applied even leaving skid marks until running into a stone column. Would have crashed into the house instead the column if hadn't steered hard to the right.
The air bags failed to deploy. Prior to the crash, the vehicle was taken to the dealer on four occasions regarding the abs. When the vehicle was retrieved, the contact heard a squeaky noise and took the vehicle back to the dealer. New brakes pads were placed on the vehicle at that time.
The driver's side seat belt failed to restrain the contact, causing her to strike and injure her head against the dashboard. The passenger received injuries to her legs. The insurance company investigation discovered that the driver's side seat belt bolt failed, which caused the seat belt to fail.
The contact stated that her air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to wuerflein chevrolet buick gmc ([address], albert lea, [ZIP]) to be repaired under the recall.
Power steering would randomly quit while driving. Needed to replace power steering control module.
I have not had an accident, however when the streets are wet, my engine light goes on and the power steering goes off. This has happened twice this week and have had to leave the road because I could not steer. I took the car to ron norris dealership in titusville, florida and was told there was nothing they could do.
Repeated twice before the check engine light came on. Stopped car, shut the car off, checked gas cap was fastened securely. Restarted car. The check engine light remained illuminated. Turned around and proceeded the one mile home.
Consumer writes in regards to safety recall concerning engine stalling while driving the consumer stated he took the vehicle to a repair facility thinking the vehicle would be repaired. However, they informed him, the vehicle needed a new part and they would call him once the part arrived.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,699 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Vibe has 144 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 63, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, vehicle speed control, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 63. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (10%), warning lights, check engine (6%), stalls while driving (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Pontiac Vibe from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.