AI Damage2010 Pontiac Vibe: common problems
Owners of the 2010 Pontiac Vibe filed 58 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 58
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 53% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 12% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 7% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Electronic stability control 5% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- Air bags: 31 complaints (53% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 7 complaints (12% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 4 complaints (7% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
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
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 58 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 | 31 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Airbags did not deploy at dashboard nor did seat belt lock upon impact. Vehicle underwent airbag inflator replacement may 24th 2018 per recall #17477 parts 77204 as listed on repair invoice.
I was restrained by the seat belt but I feel that the airbags should have deployed. The car was totaled and sold for scrap.
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 steering wheel rattles badly. This happens when driving and also when moving the steering wheel side to side while stationary. Also shudders when braking.
Vsc off stability indicator - traction control system tcs warning lights and check engine lights go on indicate system failure in the rain or after a extended spell of very humid weather. While dash lights are on there is no antilock or stability. This has been an ongoing problem for the 3 years I have owned the car.
I bought a 2010 pontiac vibe and 3 months later the front end of the car started shaking real bad so I called up koehne auto to tell them and they wouldn't as much as tale it for a test drive to see what I was talking about.
Unpredictable behavior, including erratic shifting, an engine that won't start, illumination of the check-engine light, or stalling while in motion while city driving usually occurring between 7-12 miles of travel. Same issue the 2004-2008 recall was issued for.
There is a persistent rattle coming from directly behind the steering wheel. Especially noticeable at speeds <35 mph and/or driving over bumpy pavement. When the rattle is occurring, the steering column feels like it oscillating very quickly.
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 4,955 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 14% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Vibe has 144 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 58, 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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Pontiac Vibe?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, vehicle speed control, service brakes. Total complaints: 58. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (7%), knocking, grinding or other noise (5%), airbag warning light (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2010 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 2010 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 2010 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.