CarModelProblems.com

2006 Pontiac Vibe Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 7.9× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
177Complaints
5Recalls
6Crashes
0Fires
4Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (67.2% of complaints) — is covered by 4 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 7.9× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags119 · 67.2%RecalledRecall 18V883000 · Recall 19V627000 · Recall 15V285000 · Recall 15V286000
Engine And Engine Cooling14 · 7.9%RecalledRecall 10V387000
Electrical System10 · 5.6%not available
Engine10 · 5.6%RecalledRecall 10V387000
Power Train6 · 3.4%not available
Vehicle Speed Control5 · 2.8%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS119 · 67.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14 · 7.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10 · 5.6%
ENGINE10 · 5.6%
POWER TRAIN6 · 3.4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5 · 2.8%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)5 · 2.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE3 · 1.7%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS3 · 1.7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM2 · 1.1%

Percentages are the share of the 177 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V883000 · 2018 · reported 12/12/2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V627000 · 2019 · reported 08/28/2019

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 15V285000 · 2015 · reported 05/13/2015

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags

NHTSA campaign 15V286000 · 2015 · reported 05/13/2015

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 10V387000 · 2010 · reported 08/26/2010

THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WARNINGS AND CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT. THE ENGINE WARNING LAMP COULD BE ILLUMINATED, HARSH SHIFTING COULD RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY NOT START, OR THE ENGINE COULD SHUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED…”NHTSA complaint 10956541 — filed 02/23/2017 · AIR BAGS
“TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V285000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART…”NHTSA complaint 10899473 — filed 08/30/2016 · AIR BAGS
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 PONTIAC VIBE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V286000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10882616 — filed 07/05/2016 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

20201011320121620145220201664201815382020212023112025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Pontiac Vibe?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 119 of 177 NHTSA complaints (67.2%), followed by engine and engine cooling (14), electrical system (10), engine (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2006 Pontiac Vibe have?

177 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 4 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2006 Pontiac Vibe have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V883000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2006 Pontiac Vibe's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.