2008 Pontiac Vibe Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
17/100
#6 most-complained of 7 Vibe years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Pontiac Vibe has 63 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 17 out of 100 — #6 highest of 7 Vibe model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is airbags (48 complaints, 76% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes and 4 injuries.
- Complaints
- 63
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 28
- 25.5 city / 32 hwy
Top 2008 Pontiac Vibe problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags48 (76%)
- Engine8 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (5%)
- Seat Belts2 (3%)
- Steering2 (3%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
- Structure & Body1 (2%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)
2008 Pontiac Vibe recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V627000Aug 28, 2019Airbags229,460 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall. The air bag may not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac Vibe owners will be notified by GM. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1Q and K0Q. Pontiac owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is N192273760.
- NHTSA 16V127000Mar 3, 2016Airbags147,242 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured May 25, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which may produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. This recall addresses both the passenger side frontal air bags that were originally installed in the vehicles, as well as replacement air bags that may have been installed as replacement service parts. A replacement air bag may have been installed, as one example, if a vehicle had been in a crash necessitating the replacement of the passenger side frontal air bag.
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 23, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-285.
- NHTSA 16V128000Mar 2, 2016Airbags71,163 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 Lexus SC vehicles manufactured August 3, 2007, to July 30, 2010, 2008 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 21, 2007, 2008 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to December 18, 2007, and 2008 Pontiac Vibe vehicles manufactured June 1, 2007, to January 2, 2008 that were originally sold, or ever registered, in Florida, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. The affected vehicles have a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
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 occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: The recall began on March 25, 2016 for Toyota and Lexus vehicle owners. The recall began on June 8, 2016 for GM owners. The respective dealers will either replace the front passenger air bag inflator or the entire front passenger air bag assembly depending on the model. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. This recall expands recall 15V-286.
2008 Pontiac Vibe fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25.5 MPG
- Highway
- 32 MPG
- Combined
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Vibe years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Pontiac Vibe a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Pontiac Vibe ranks #6 of 7 among Vibe model years (Complaint Index 17/100, verdict: Best). It has 63 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?
- The most reported problem areas are airbags (48 complaints), engine (8 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 59,500 miles.
- Does the 2008 Pontiac Vibe have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe, most recently reported 2019, covering airbags and engine.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Pontiac Vibe?
- EPA rates the 2008 Pontiac Vibe at 28 MPG combined (25.5 city / 32 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,325. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.