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.
2009 Pontiac VibeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 528 owner complaints about the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 9 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-689 the manufacturer reports only 46% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 7, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Pontiac Vibe has problems
528 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
352Air bags6 crash/fire/injury
58Vehicle speed control13 crash/fire/injury
35Steering
29Engine
18Electrical system
13Power train
13Service brakes, hydraulic
9Electronic stability control (ESC)
8Service brakes
5516 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 352 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 58 | 13 |
| Steering | 35 | 0 |
| Engine | 29 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 3 |
| Power train | 13 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 13 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 9 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 8 | 0 |
| 16 other systems | 55 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
9 recalls
2009 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 rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2021 Q3
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. If the sliding electrical contacts are not protected by lubricant, debris and moisture that get into the switch may cause a short circuit and the switch…
Show 5 more recalls
repaired · 2016 Q3
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated.
repaired · 2015 Q1
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. If the switch overheats, it may melt, possibly resulting in a fire.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR…
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY BECOME HARD TO DEPRESS, SLOW TO RETURN TO IDLE, OR, IN THE WORST CASE, MECHANICALLY STUCK IN A PARTIALLY DEPRESSED POSITION,…
no report yet
Power assist: vacuum
Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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?
93kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 53 air bags complaints. 60% were reported before 100,000 miles.
Only 37% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.
2under 30k miles32under 100k miles21100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 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
2009 Pontiac Vibe safety ratings
2009 Pontiac Vibe 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 4 stars (13.6% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Pontiac Vibe, and the recalls they led to.
- Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion AuditNo recall
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What Vibe owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
I been trying to get the recalls to be fix but both the dealers and GM haven’t been able to help due to parts discontinued, I been trying to get this issued resolve for a year or so. I need help please, they just keep saying that all recalls on this vehicle don’t have the parts for it and don’t…
Air bags failed to deploy and vehicle is not available for inspection. Vehicle was a total loss and is in the proces of becoming proprty of Copart.com for auction (I assume). I hit my head very hard from the T-bone type of collision and my side airbags did not deploy. I have a severe concussion and…
MY VEHICLE WAS TURNED IN FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL. WE RECEIVED A CALL SAYING IT WAS DONE. WE ARE STILL RECEIVING NOTICES FROM THE ESTABLISHMENT WE DROPPED THE CAR OFF TO GET IT COMPLETED AND PENDOT STATING THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. *TR
Own a 2009 Vibe?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.