GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

My sons 5 speed has failed at 39000 miles.Is this a common problem? Screwed again. He was returning to college and the car jumped out of 5th gear on the interstate and began making noise. We towed it in but the trans appears to have failed. The car still moves but make awful noises.

Welcome, although I really hate to see someone have to make their first post with such an issue. You're not the only one who has had a 5-speed tranny that has had to be replaced... Some even multiple times...I feel for ya. I've had a buttload of problems with my Vibe, but none thus far that have actually left me stranded (but it's only a matter of time.) I can imagine how horrible it is to end up with your car letting you down so...

Quote, originally posted by FLABARBARA »My sons 5 speed has failed at 39000 miles.It is really a shame that it happened just after the expiration of the manufacturer's warranty.

Perhaps, just maybe something could be goodwilled w/ GM? It would be worth a shot, the worst that could happen is they would say no!

Isn't the powertrain warranty good for 5 years/100,000kms ? It is here in Canada as far as I know. Still I'm glad i got the extended warranty that covers everything for 5 years/100,000 kms They also gave me a coverage on the tires for 3 years. If I get a flat or anything like that they will put a brand new tire on.Best of luck with the tranny. Sorry to hear about that.

Nope, the powertrain warranty for the most part is strictly a GM Canada thing. Down here, they give us 3 year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper, that's it. Some stuff *does* have a longer powertrain warranty, i.e. the Cobalt has a 3/36 bumper-to-bumper and a 5/60 powertrain (at least it did for '05) but for the rest, generally 3/36 is it.

Quote, originally posted by djpositivek »Isn't the powertrain warranty good for 5 years/100,000kms ? It is here in Canada as far as I know. Still I'm glad i got the extended warranty that covers everything for 5 years/100,000 kms They also gave me a coverage on the tires for 3 years. If I get a flat or anything like that they will put a brand new tire on.Best of luck with the tranny. Sorry to hear about that.just for us lucky canadians... well I live in the states now but canadian warranty is good across north america. Hopefully my 5spd holds out... however if it doesn't, maybe I won't be owning the car when that happens. Nothing against the Vibe but when the time is right, I'm selling it.My advice, see if as mentioned, GM will do some form of goodwill warranty... If you have proof of maintaining the vehicle, it could go easier for you so have all repair reciepts handy, going back as far as you can. Don't try and get them to cover the full thing, but maybe at least help with some of it. It you seem to selfish off the bat... well not a good idea. Basicly tell them what you have and let them tell you what they are willing to do, or not do... and go from there. Your 3000miles out of warranty so your not WAY out. Hopefully you have gone to a GM dealership for service... that helps as well as they would see you as a loyal GM customer.

I believe the Matrix has a 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty which is typical of Toyota. That ought to be typical of all auto makers as any engine or tranny that goes out before that time is perse defective. It happens so seldom that $50 a car ought to cover the expense and in many cases the manufacturer makes a goodwill allowance anyway. I had a 1998 Voyager Van that I gave my son - the gasket blew at about 65,000 miles. The dealer got DC to cover part of the cost so he got it fixed for about $200 instead of $1,000. Of course that particular engine had a history of gasket problems which helped his case. But - they didn't have to do it! A firend iof mine had a Saturn with an AT issue at 39,000 miles. They told her "so sorry, too bad" and Saturn is supposed to be a customer friendly brand so I don't hold out much hope for getting GM to fix a Pontiac.