2009 Pontiac Vibe

The Pontiac Vibe is basically a Toyota Corolla that has been re-worked by GM. It shares the Toyota platform and drivetrain. This is very good for you since Toyota hasn’t built a bad car since, uh, ever I think. The vibe is available in a number of configurations including 2WD, AWD, automatic trans or standard, it has that tall body, but it’s not boxy so it’s not only easy on the eyes but it’s very flexible inside. But you know all that. How is it as far as reliability is concerned? Well, the engine and transmission likely will last forever but you may not want to own it that long.

Most folks like their Vibe just fine since it’s going to give them 30+ MPG while running like a top for years to come but hate the “GM-ness” that’s been installed. The interior is a rattle-box and has some ergonomic flaws is the feedback I get from owners. The interior is mostly a low-grade plastic and this leads to rattles, lots of them over time. I’ll also be the first to tell you if you have a tech take a dashboard apart to fix that rattle that’s making you insane, there’s a fair chance he’ll create another one in the process. Yes I know, rattles may not seem like a big deal but it can drive some folks (myself included) nuts.

There are a few bigger issues, but not many really. I’ve seen a car or three already need a transmission re-build due to bearing failure. This is going to be $2000 or more depending on what other damage may have been caused inside the transmission as these bearings came apart. On some 2003-2005 models the automatic transmission can slip while shifting into 2nd gear, sometimes feeling like it goes into neutral. This would also require a transmission rebuild or replacement.

The other things I’ve seen often are not the fault of the car, and in fact these are not limited to the Vibe but I’ll mention them here since the Vibe is affected. If you hear a clicking noise coming from the top of the engine, remove the oil fill cap and have a look-see inside. There is a metal baffle just under the oil cap and these can (and often do) get bent during oil changes at those quick-lube places. The baffle comes into contact with the valve-train. The baffle needs to be bent back into place and sometimes this can be done without removing any parts (i.e. the cam cover). This bent baffle can also cause a check engine light since the knock sensor actually hears this tapping and thinks it’s a problem with the combustion process. A more costly problem can be caused by some aftermarket air filters that use an oil-wetted filtering element. The oil from the filter can be sucked into the intake tract and soil the Mass Airflow Sensor causing some pretty nasty drivability problems. Sometimes this can be corrected with just a can of cleaner available at any auto parts store, other times you may need to replace the sensor for a few hundred dollars.

So, what can you expect as far as normal wear items for the Pontiac Vibe? The A/C compressor is going to be over $800 to replace, not out of line I think. A dealership alternator is going to set you back about $500. Shocks all around, about $1700 OUCH! Brakes all around would be around $500. As always, these are estimated dealer prices and will vary by state, dealer, lunar alignment and whim.