Kicking the Dead: Pontiac recalls 10k 2009-2010 Vibes over cold-weather braking
2010 Pontiac Vibe GT - Click above for high-res image gallery
General Motors is recalling 10,119 units of the Pontiac Vibe due to cold weather-related brake problems. The vehicles subject to the recall are all fitted with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant, and were sold or are currently registered in one of about two dozen snow belt states.
According to the recall campaign, very low ambient temperatures may cause brake vacuum components to freeze. The vehicles will still brake, but stopping distances will be increased, possibly leading to a crash. Dealers have been instructed to modify the brake vacuum line free of charge to correct the problem. While the recall specifically names vehicles originally sold or registered in certain states, the repair campaign will also be applied to vehicles sold in all other states.
For more information, Vibe owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, visit GM's Owner Center, or call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236. Full press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2010 Pontiac Vibe
[Source: NHTSA]
Make: PONTIAC
Model: VIBE
Model Year: 2009
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Mfr's Report Date: AUG 27, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V392000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 10119
Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8L ENGINE AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALASKA, COLORADO, IDAHO, ILLINOIS IOWA, KANSAS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. WHEN DRIVING UNDER CERTAIN UNIQUE CONDITIONS IN EXTREMELY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD SUCTION PORT FOR THE BRAKE VACUUM CAN BECOME LOCKED DUE TO THE FREEZING OF CONDENSATION RESULTING FROM POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION.
Consequence:
THIS COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE VACUUM LINE FREE OF CHARGE. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 23, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
DiRF 11:03AM (10/13/2009)
Could the Matrix and Corolla suffer from the same problem?
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mapoftazifosho 11:06AM (10/13/2009)
IIRC, yes. I vaguely remember there being a recall on the Matrix and Corolla, but in cold climates only, which prompted a bit of flack from the readers on here. Toyota should fix them everywhere. What if I live in LA and I decide to take my VIBE to mammoth for the weekend...
PiCASSO 11:12AM (10/13/2009)
Mechanically, these are identical cars with Toyota engineered powertrains. I would assume that we should see an identical recall for the Matrix and Corolla.
James 11:36AM (10/13/2009)
"Could the Matrix and Corolla suffer from the same problem?
Bad "Vibes" from the (dead) Pontiac...
Slizzo 4:15PM (10/13/2009)
They do, and they've already been recalled (at least, Toyota recalled the Matrix for this issue).
the4thheat 11:06PM (10/13/2009)
They do and Toyota did the recall 2 months ago...before temperatures starting getting low again.
KeatMP 11:04AM (10/13/2009)
Wouldn't the Matrix have the same recall?
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Slizzo 4:15PM (10/13/2009)
It does. Happened last month? Previous month?
Bobmarley 11:16AM (10/13/2009)
I like the title
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Kaveh 11:25AM (10/13/2009)
The last Pontiac went out with a bang.
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v6sonoma 11:55AM (10/13/2009)
This is not a Pontiac is a Toyota in sheeps Cladding.
Kaveh 12:13PM (10/13/2009)
We all know its a Toyota with GM skin like so many other cars they have built for them(Geo Prizm). To bad about the G8, was a fan of Holden.
nrb 12:18PM (10/13/2009)
"This is not a Pontiac is a Toyota in sheeps Cladding."
No, it's a joint effort between GM and Toyota. Both brought something to the table.
Kaveh 6:52PM (10/13/2009)
Well this was cool "Both are built at the NUMMI plant, a joint GM-Toyota facility in Fremont, California". In the 90's I was always around that area in Fremont, didn't even know they built cars there.
v6sonoma 1:46AM (10/14/2009)
True it was a joint venture in the plant. GM designed the styling and looks of the car and Toyota designed the power train and hardware.
daleam 11:30AM (10/13/2009)
Toyota also had a cold weather braking issue and Toyota also only recalled cars in cold weather states. It was a huge mistake then as it is now. They should recall ALL affected cars as there is no guarantee that a car in a warm weather state will remain in the warm weather state. What happens if the owner has to move from San Diego to New York?
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MM 11:49AM (10/13/2009)
Toyota won't recall the Matrix or the Corolla for quite sometime. They can't admit to another safety SNAFU after the whole gas pedal floor mat thing. That would make them look like a crappy American car company.
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Slizzo 4:16PM (10/13/2009)
Toyota recalled the Matrix a month or so ago for this issue already. It was posted here on Autoblog no less.
Epsilon-Not 11:52AM (10/13/2009)
Man, this is really going to hurt Pontiac's reputation- who's going to buy a new Pontiac in the future after this kind of news?
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Doug 12:15PM (10/13/2009)
I'm sure Avis will be very upset.
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