GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi Everyone,So this is only my second posting here. I've had my Vibe for a year now and I noticed that my stereo is starting to peel. Basically the black i guess you can say paint. I was wondering if anyone else is starting to have the same problem. I am also hoping that this is covered by warranty. Please give me any feedback possible. I love my vibe but this is unacceptable after owning it for a year. 2005 Lava Red Vibemoonroof (stock)rims (stock)tintedexhaust tip (stock)

I've been through THREE Vibe radios in the past two years. The first two did start to fade or peel as you say but the third has yet to fade. I'm gonna have to replace it soon anyways because it's encountering the same problem as the other two but that's a whole separate story in itself.ANyways, it should be covered by the warentee. When and if they replace it make sure they do not take apart the dashboard or the a pillars. For some reason when I had my first replaced they had to order it so I tok the car home and the dashboard was not secured and it was leaning. When I got out of class the A-Pillar molding was hanging in my face...they DO NOT have to mess with the dashboard or the a-pillars to get the radio out!Good luck!

Quote, originally posted by 2Hot2Handel »Hi Everyone,So this is only my second posting here. I've had my Vibe for a year now and I noticed that my stereo is starting to peel. Basically the black i guess you can say paint. I was wondering if anyone else is starting to have the same problem. I am also hoping that this is covered by warranty. Please give me any feedback possible. I love my vibe but this is unacceptable after owning it for a year. 2005 Lava Red Vibemoonroof (stock)rims (stock)tintedexhaust tip (stock)Yeah, that's not cool. Seems to be one of those "some are just bad, most OK" kinda things. My radio is fine, I've had a few 2003 radios through here (another story) that all looked fine. But some units seem to have the paint come off the buttons and something like paint come off the face like yours.Take it to the dealer and tell them you want the radio replaced under warranty. What you said is exactly right: it's not acceptable in a 1yr old car. (Tell him that too )

What were your radio problems?

I had the same problem with my first radio. You can see what it looked like here: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=9537What sucks though, GM replaced it with a brand spankin' new unit, completely free of any sort of blemishes. But the thing was one of those affected by the "grinding noise when brakes applied" TSB. So they replaced it again....But the replacement I got had the finish peeling off. That radio worked, for a while, so I didn't bother pursuing repalcement although I should have. All told I think I had 5 or so of these radios before I finally traded the car. Just be warned, if GM replaces it, they will probably use a refurbished unit - which may or may not have cosmetic issues. Who knows if it will be better or worse than the original.

Quote, originally posted by ColonelPanic »Just be warned, if GM replaces it, they will probably use a refurbished unit - which may or may not have cosmetic issues. Who knows if it will be better or worse than the original. CP, your optimism continues to inspire me. ("Really, the glass is too big.")

Quote, originally posted by GMJAP »CP, your optimism continues to inspire me. ("Really, the glass is too big.")Yes, I am an inspiration to us all! Either that or I serve as a warning to others, i.e. "here's what to NOT be like!" I just did not want one to get their hopes up that they could turn their radio in for a cosmetic blemish and get it replaced with a new one, it may happen, or it may not... If you're picky about appearances, it would be a bummer to find that the refurb unit which may be perfectly fine operationally has a less than perfect finish. I know it was with mine.

First radio when the car was not level it would make a grinding noise. Second radio, half my cds would skip.. This radio, some of my cds skip.

Appears to me the finish is coming off from where people are touching it. That DOES NOT make it right but since just about all interior trim pieces are painted now adays, I am not surprised. My Vibe radio is fine but then again we may not touch the face of the radio. In my Z24 I accidentally scratched one of the preset numbers on the button. And on my PT I scratched the word DISK. I did both just day dreaming with my hand on the shifter and finger tapping or scratching the face more like it while driving. My point is if the dlr fixes it beware because it may happen again depending on how it is touched...

mine started to peel 7-8 months after i got the car. it was horible. used to have huge gaps and used to not just peel, but chip off...

Quote, originally posted by MiVibe-ToolGuy »My point is if the dlr fixes it beware because it may happen again depending on how it is touched... Good call! I'm paranoid about it happening since it happened to mine, so this formula seems to work fine: Clean ONLY with a very soft cloth and clean water, no chemicals. Never let armor all or the like near it. Don't touch the radio with dirty or greasy hands. And touch the radio only when necessary, and maybe just in one small area to prevent damage over a wider area. lol! If you're easy enough on it, you won't have to worry about cleaning, all I do with mine now is run the dash duster thingy over it to get the dust off of it since that's the only dirt that ever collects on it.