repaired · 2022 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
2006 Pontiac VibeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 177 owner complaints about the 2006 Pontiac Vibe, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 19V-627 the manufacturer reports only 33% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 5, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Cutlass, CC0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Pontiac Vibe has problems
177 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
119Air bags3 crash/fire/injury
20Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
12Power train
11Electrical system
10Engine
6Vehicle speed control
4Visibility
2Visibility/wiper
2Fuel/propulsion system
117 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 119 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 1 |
| Power train | 12 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 |
| Engine | 10 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 3 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 11 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2006 Pontiac Vibe recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
repaired · 2021 Q3
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle…
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Pontiac.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
128kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 24 air bags complaints. 33% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 39% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
1under 30k miles8under 100k miles16100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other Vibe year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Vibe median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'14
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Pontiac Vibe safety ratings
2006 Pontiac Vibe 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (14.0% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2006 Pontiac Vibe, and the recalls they led to.
- Engine StallLed to recall 10V-384
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Vibe owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE CHEVROLET (8585 W 159TH ST, TINLEY PARK, IL 60487, [PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG WAS…
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V883000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT YET…
I'VE BEEN WAITING ALMOST A YEAR FOR GM, TOYOTA, AND TAKATA TO COME UP WITH A FIX TO THEIR AIRBAG PROBLEM, NHTSA # 19V627. HOW MUCH LONGER DO WE HAVE TO WAIT? GM'S THOUGHTS? "RECALL STATUS: INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE"
Own a 2006 Vibe?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.