Makes›Pontiac›Vibe›2008

2008 Pontiac Vibe

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
29 combined · 26 city / 33 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 29 MPG combined — 29% better than the average 2008 small station wagon (22.5 MPG).
  • Few owner complaints45 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 179 for similar models.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Pontiac Vibe is a small station wagon offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 29 MPG combined (26 city / 33 highway), 29% better than the 2008 small station wagon average of 22.5 MPG, for an estimated $2,300 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Vibe — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Vibe →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Vibe1.8L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 33 / 29+29%$2,300306
Vibe1.8L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 31 / 27+20%$2,500329
Save $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.5 MPG2008 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 small station wagons

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Pontiac Vibe (this car)29 MPGNot rated4
2008 Honda Fit31 MPGNot rated7
2008 Scion xB24 MPGNot rated6
2008 Dodge Caliber26 MPGNot rated0
2008 Toyota Matrix29 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Aug 28, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V627000 · 229,460 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 3, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V127000 · 147,242 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Mar 2, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V128000 · 71,163 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 26, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V387000 · 161,754 vehicles

Problem
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2008 PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) FOR THE SUBJECT MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE 1ZZ-FE (LV6) ENGINE AND TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A CRACK MAY DEVELOP AT CERTAIN SOLDER POINTS OR ON VARISTORS ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
Risk
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. AN ENGINE SHUTOFF WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE PRODUCTION NUMBER OF THE ECM AND REPLACE THE ECM IF NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GM AT 1-800-620-7668.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Pontiac Vibe is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

45Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
125,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags43
Steering1
Engine1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
16/04: 516/05: 316/06: 716/07: 416/08: 416/09: 116/11: 117/06: 217/08: 119/03: 119/11: 319/12: 120/01: 120/03: 220/04: 120/05: 320/06: 220/07: 220/09: 116/0416/0716/1119/0320/0120/0520/09max 7

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Pontiac Vibe buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 43 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  4. Engine — 1 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 125,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Pontiac Vibe. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Vibe years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2010 Vibe28172 inNot rated737
2009 Vibe28172 inNot rated8403
2007 Vibe29172 inNot rated5117
2006 Vibe29172 inNot rated5126
2005 Vibe29172 inNot rated5184

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Pontiac. How we calculate this →