Might be leaving the Vibe family...

[Toasted7]

I'll start with the pictures first...That was my car on 5/5/09... I had to tow it to the dealership because it wouldn't even start. I acted up on me just a few days before that, it died on me when I was backing out of my driveway. It started back up, but I got a CEL. I pulled back into my driveway and then it died on me again... this time it wouldn't even start back up. An hour or so later I was able to get it to start, still with the CEL. I decided to drive it to AutoZone and have them check the CEL... it died on me 3 times on the way there and I almost got into an accident because of it. I hate to imagine what would have happened to me and/or my car if it had died on me on the highway. I was on all side streets on the way to AutoZone and I still almost got into a wreck. I was able to get the car back home after they read the codes: P0607 and P0113, but it wasn't going anywhere after that because I couldn't get it to start... again. I towed it to the dealership first thing the next morning. When I got to the dealership, I tried to start the car just to get it off the trailer and it started with NO CEL, I couldn't believe it! The dealership looked at me like I was crazy because I had just told them it wouldn't start. I told them they were keeping it until the problem came back, I wouldn't not take it back until then. They called me a few hours after I dropped off the car and said that they had to replace the PCM. This is the 4th time they have replaced this same part in less than 4 years! I no longer feel comfortable driving this car. Anyone that knows me, knows how much I like my car (this is my second Vibe for what it is worth) and I hate to get rid of it, but I think the time is just around the corner that it will be gone. Once it gets out of warranty, it will be a nightmare to get this part and it will not be cheap either. On that note... I am looking for other options for cars now... although deep down inside I would much rather keep my Vibe.

[bull77]

that sucks trade-in for a 09?

[djkeev]

Hi,There's something causing this part to fail. We all don't have this issue at all.While it's still under warranty I'd ask pretty sternly that they need to find the cause of the failures and also to make a note in your file about this issue and how they can't find the cause of the problem while the car is still under warranty.If these were that trouble prone this forum and everyone dealing with Matrix or Vibes would be full of discussions dealing with this.You've got a bad connection, bad sensor bad wire, bad something causing this.Just my 2 xDon't abandon the car because of one issue, though it is a fairly major issue.Maybe even pursue whatever Lemon Law your State may have. This IS excessive!Dave

[jake75]

I am no auto repair expert, but it seems to me that there must be something else that it causing all of these PCM's to fail. Years ago when the standard warranty was 12 months I had a Buick that blew ignition modules on a regular basis. The dealer was of no help. I wrote GM but they responded with a form letter that told me to go to my dealer as they were the best source of assistance. I took it to an shop that specialized in electrical problems. They said it might be defective the spark plug wires - changed those out - no more problems. I'm not saying that your plug wires are the cause here - just an example of how the apparent problem (e.g. bad pcm's) may not be the root cause.

[ramenboy...]

joel that sucks!hate to a vibe fall... anyways, your first vibe, was fine, wasn't it? have you thought of taking it to the local toyota dealer and letting them know what the deal is? obviously, like the guys have said here, there's got to be something like a short causing the pcm to fail so quickly...good luck.

[jimincalif]

4th failure of something that stops the car. Does your state have a lemon law that might apply?

[vibedrivermatt]

hmmm your PCM's a very critical part that's not supposed to fail soo easily, Id have to agree with other guys could be something with wrong with the wiring somewhere and not the part by itself that's causing the problem I would bring it to a different GM dealer and tell them whats going on. Id also call a toyota dealer and ask them if they can fix vibes (I dunno if vibes can be serviced by toyota)..also think jake's advice on going to a specialist is a novel approach. It seems like you've had a couple knuckleheads trying to fix you car and keep getting it wrong. Im glad to you didn't get into an accident because of this. Unfortunately I don't know what those codes mean. Good luck getting it back to normal.

[AKLGT]

I'm with Toasted on this, if I had a car who was unreliable with parts constantly failing (my 98 Grand Am - first car), I'd be trading it in too. Maybe a new Vibe, or an 08 one since I know how much he likes them. then again, those G8's are sure nice!

[ou.grizzly]

Quote, originally posted by jimincalif »4th failure of something that stops the car. Does your state have a lemon law that might apply?^^^^^^This... Toasted; def look into the lemon law.

[Toasted7]

I just want to thank everyone for all their advice... I know you guys are all a big help!I'm going to look into the possible lemon law and see what I can find out there.As far as getting another Vibe or even another Pontiac, I'm not even sure about that either. With Pontiac going belly up... that worries me for service and parts down the road too.The dealership told me that they have had issues with the PCMs losing their programming and failing and they swear it is a problem specific to the PCM and not another problem that is causing it to go bad. Every time I have had this part replaced, I have asked if there is any other problem(s) that could be causing this... every time I get the same answer. My confidence level is declining fast for multiple reasons, that's why I'm really leaning towards getting rid of the Vibe. As far as my first Vibe goes ramenboy... it was great. The only problem with it was I leased it. I liked my '03 Vibe so much that I bought my '05... and this is the thanks I get for being a loyal buyer... kinda sucks.I will keep everyone posted on my findings from here on out.

[ou.grizzly]

Any updates? Are you still a Vibe owner?

[Baltovibe]

Quote, originally posted by ou.grizzly »Any updates? Are you still a Vibe owner?Probably not. He has not posted here since last August.

[vibolista]

Quote, originally posted by Toasted7 »I will keep everyone posted on my findings from here on out.Doesn't look like Toasted7 is keeping everyone posted on his findings from there on out, like he said he was going to do.Wonder what he eventually did about his Vibe, or what he bought?

[Kincaid]

The world is littered with promises of future posts and dead end threads. I see he last posted in August '09, so I assume he has moved on. I'd like to know what he's driving now.

[nepvibe04]

i'm geting rid of my vibe also, it's all the little things that matter, hopefully the camaro treats me better

[vibolista]

Quote, originally posted by nepvibe04 »i'm geting rid of my vibe also, it's all the little things that matter, hopefully the camaro treats me betterWhat caused you to decide to give up the Vibe?

[Toasted7]

Believe it or not, I'm still driving the Vibe. I have pretty much lost all interest in doing anything with it since this started and that's why I haven't posted anything in a while. I checked into the lemon law a bit and found that all my repairs did not happen within the timeframe allowed. I guess it all has to happen within a certain amount of time in order to qualify.I've been looking at Scion xB's for a while now, just have to get all my finances in line and then I will probably go ahead with it. Plus I had to wait till it got warmer so I could get my Vibe back to stock before I trade it in.

[Kincaid]

Is the Vibe still acting up? (Though even if not, I can certainly understand how it feels when machinery betrays you. It's hard for me to ever trust it again).

[vibolista]

Sorry to hear you're still going to get rid of your Vibe. Hope your next car turns out better. Quite unusual for a Vibe to let someone down. ... But stay in touch with us in genvibe and let us know how it goes.

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by Toasted7 »Believe it or not, I'm still driving the Vibe. I have pretty much lost all interest in doing anything with it since this started and that's why I haven't posted anything in a while. I checked into the lemon law a bit and found that all my repairs did not happen within the timeframe allowed. I guess it all has to happen within a certain amount of time in order to qualify.I've been looking at Scion xB's for a while now, just have to get all my finances in line and then I will probably go ahead with it. Plus I had to wait till it got warmer so I could get my Vibe back to stock before I trade it in.Just went to ehe Cols Auto Show - the Scion xB would be on my short list if I had a need to replace my Vibe. The Nissan Cube is also of interest. Still not into Kia - though their boxy Kia Soul, as well as the Rondo hatchback have a nice design.Heading upscale the Mazda 7 at msrp $22,300 with AT impressed me for the price. Also the Nissan Rogue. The Elantra Touring also deserves a look for the money but it is more of a typical traditional station wagon. If I had a good day at the track maybe I'd even consider a Honda CRV. The Rav4 is would also be a contender if not for that awful rear mounted spare.Going downscale for better mileage I liked the Scion xD as well as the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa hatchback. But since I don't drive many miles mileage is not that much of an issue. I don't think I'd want something smaller than the Vibe.

[vibolista]

Jake, you left out the Mazda 5 that can be bought with a manual, and if you wait till the next model comes out later this year... a more frugal engine as well. It's a bit like the Vibe, with more room and a Mazda 3 underneath! There are a couple of interesting cars showing up this summer as well. The Ford Fiesta and the Mazda 2. Smaller hatches that should be a lot of fun to drive. Toasted7 should at least try out a '09-'10 Vibe, just for yucks and giggles. You'd never know, unless you tested one, right?

[jake75]

Quote, originally posted by vibolista »Jake, you left out the Mazda 5 that can be bought with a manual, and if you wait till the next model comes out later this year... a more frugal engine as well. It's a bit like the Vibe, with more room and a Mazda 3 underneath! There are a couple of interesting cars showing up this summer as well. The Ford Fiesta and the Mazda 2. Smaller hatches that should be a lot of fun to drive. Toasted7 should at least try out a '09-'10 Vibe, just for yucks and giggles. You'd never know, unless you tested one, right? I saw the Ford Fiesta and the Mazda 2 - both roped off therefore not allowing close inspection - at the auto show. I hear there is some state law that won't let you any closer to a pre-production vehicle. In my opinion neither were going to challenge either the Fit or the xD.I did forget to mention the Mazda 5 - but it is only $100 under the price of the Mazda 7 - only advantage is that the Mazda 5 has a third row of seats - but that last row is suitable only for small children and height challenged adults (is that politically correct enough). I think the 09-10 Vibes are now an endangered species - at least new ones.

[Toasted7]

The Vibe hasn't acted up on me for a while now, but with its track record I can't trust it for the long haul. My original intentions when I bought my Vibe were to add all the mods that I liked and then proceed to drive the car into the ground (ie. drive it till I couldn't drive it anymore) and I was looking forward to at least a few years with a car payment. With all the aforementioned problems... that's just not going to happen.As for testing out a '09/'10, I did that and I liked it, but decided against it. I guess I just have a bad taste in my mouth for Vibes after these issues.After all is said and done, I will still be around and post every now and then. I've been around nearly since the beginning, since I have had a '03 and '05 Vibe. I may even post pics of the new ride (if that's allowed) when the time comes.

[nepvibe04]

geting rid of the vibe cause it sits in the winter, dont like driving it on the back roads during winter. so figured might as well get a summer car to play around in.

[northvibe]

better post pics, they made me post pics of my new non vibes...although I never did post escape pics.

[Kincaid]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »I did forget to mention the Mazda 5 - but it is only $100 under the price of the Mazda 7 - only advantage is that the Mazda 5 has a third row of seats - but that last row is suitable only for small children and height challenged adults (is that politically correct enough).Not sure if you need an auto, but the Mazda 5 with a stick can be had for less than $17k. It was top on my list but when I was able to get the Vibe for barely over $14k, I went with it.