VehicleVerdict

2003 Pontiac Vibe transmission problems

The 2003 Pontiac Vibe has 50 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

50

Transmission complaints

15%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Vibe transmission complaints by model year50 complaints2003: 50 complaints2004: 12 complaints2005: 35 complaints2006: 12 complaints2007: 12 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 12 complaints2010: 3 complaints
Vibe transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

02V074002TransmissionMarch 11, 2002 · 2,701 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN TWO-WHEEL DRIVE (2WD) PASSENGER VEHICLES, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE BOLTS THAT JOIN THE REAR BRAKE AND HUB ASSEMBLY TO THE REAR AXLE CARRIER TO BE LOOSE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Consequence

IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN THIS CONDITION, ONE OR MORE OF THE FOUR BOLTS COULD COME LOOSE, CAUSING AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR AXLE AREA. IN THE EVENT THAT ALL FOUR BOLTS LOOSEN COMPLETELY, SEPARATION OF THE REAR BRAKE AND HUB ASSEMBLY FROM THE REAR AXLE CARRIER COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 12, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

What owners report

DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC VIBE THAT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS INTO A TREE. THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THAT TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED AGAIN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 4, 2005 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2003 Pontiac Vibe have?

NHTSA has 50 complaints about the 2003 Pontiac Vibe transmission — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Pontiac Vibe transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 02V074002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.