GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

The passenger window on my '04 Vibe developed the rattle/clunk that has been described many times before on this site. From the time I purchased my used '04 Vibe until recently, the window in question progressed from a light rattle to a loud clunk and pop when raising and lowering the window.I recently took the passenger door panel off to replace the door speakers and investigated the window mechanism while I was at it. It turns out the center pivot point of the scissors mechanism that raises the window is held together by a single bolt that was slowly coming unscrewed. This allowed the window to shift and bind in the tracks as it was unevenly lifted. If one lowers the window about half way, the bolt in question can be accessed from a slot in the door panel not far from the speaker (front door). Looking at the passenger door, the slot is roughly at 2 or 3 o'clock relative to the speaker opening.I have a theory as to why windows explode when this problem progresses. Eventually the center pivot bolt falls out and the window is no longer driven evenly. The window either shatters because it's driven on one end , binds on the other and simply can't handle the stress or the missing bolt allows the main driving arm of the mechanism to catch the glass and shatter it.In my case, as has been mentioned by other people on the board, tightening the aforementioned bolt completely eliminated abnormal noises and restored the window to "like new" operation. I didn't have any handy, but I highly recommend anyone tightening this bolt use mild Loc-Tite. GM's method of securing the bolt from the factory was obviously inadequate and will therefore likely reoccur if steps aren't taken to secure it better.Phreon

good investigative work! Quote, originally posted by phreon » GM's method of securing the bolt from the factory was obviously inadequate and will therefore likely reoccur if steps aren't taken to secure it better.ummm that would be Toyota not GM.

Yeah, I had this problem on my drivers side window, but didn't know it would get to the point of them exploding, I just didn't liek the noise. I took it in under warranty, and at the same time had them give me a new radio cause the screen was messed up in mine (another common problem). Haven't had a problem since.

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »good investigative work! ummm that would be Toyota not GM. I'll go with NUMMI on this

So then do Toyota badged vehicles such as the Tacoma leave the NUMMI plant with a paint job equally as crappy as the Vibe's? I consider this problem to be a side effect of the GM relationship; how many Matrixes (Matrices?) have had exploding window issues?In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll be up front and say I think many GM cars manufactured in the past 25 years or so are in general among the worse ever made and would not have even considered purchasing a Vibe were it not for the fact that it's largely a Toyota vehicle.I've been a fan of German and non-GM American cars for a long time (though I've owned my share of Chevys), but the Vibe duely impressed me such that I purchased one. Though I for a long time held that most Japanese cars were well engineered but ultimatedly bland, soul-less automotive appliances, I consider my Vibe to be the first Japanese car I've ever owned and am quite happy with it. It lack "oomph", but handles far better than I imagined it would.Phreon

Quote, originally posted by phreon »So then do Toyota badged vehicles such as the Tacoma leave the NUMMI plant with a paint job equally as crappy as the Vibe's? I consider this problem to be a side effect of the GM relationshipwelcomeas for the paint, yes. the reason is again TOYOTA. TOYOTA uses a solvent based paint which cures soft and is prone to chipping. GM on the other hand used water based paint on their vehicles which cures hard.

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »welcomeas for the paint, yes. the reason is again TOYOTA. TOYOTA uses a solvent based paint which cures soft and is prone to chipping. GM on the other hand used water based paint on their vehicles which cures hard.a quick look at toyotanation turned up this thread about Camry paint http://toyotanation.com/forum/t185214.html Likely more paint related threads over there, but I got lazy. Are the windows received by NUMMI as an assembly or are they built there from piece parts? EDIT / See JohnC's excellent link below

Luckily this is a pretty easy fix and so far 80k miles only my drivers door window has done this. Remember the how-to i posted?http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=24086

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »Are the windows received by NUMMI as an assembly or are they built there from piece parts? EDIT / See JohnC's excellent link belowregulators come as 1 peice and glass separate.

after reading about this problem i decided to check and see how my windows are, 3 of them will raise/lower at and angle. so yesterday i decided to take apart the doors and tighten the bolts. i took apart the rear drivers side door cause it's one that isn't used too much and if i break it, it won't matter too much. after reading the document johnc(thanks btw.) posted i went to work. once i got every thing taken off i lowered the window so i could see the bottom of the glass and the rail it's on. i don't have this white piece like in the picture. is it not supposed to be there? is it missing? i didn't see anything in the bottom of the window. i have an 04 with power windows if it matters. thanks.

Attached files

Quote, originally posted by phreon »So then do Toyota badged vehicles such as the Tacoma leave the NUMMI plant with a paint job equally as crappy as the Vibe's? I consider this problem to be a side effect of the GM relationshipI'm definitely siding with you being incorrect there.Had my G6 for almost 2 years, the paint still looks as good as day 1. It is far superior to the Vibe's any day!

Finally: NHTSA Investigates Vibe exploding windows!Quote »NHTSA Action Number : PE07049 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/AMake / Models : Model/Build Years: PONTIAC / VIBE 2003-2004Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Component :VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REARDate Investigation Opened : September 27, 2007Date Investigation Closed : OpenSummary:A TOTAL OF EIGHTEEN (18) CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND SOME EARLY WARNING DATA (EWR) HAVE BEEN RECEIVED ALLEGING THAT THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER POWER FRONT WINDOW MAY SHATTER DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THREE (3) COMPLAINANTS STATED THAT THE WINDOW HAS NOT YET EXPLODED OR SHATTERED, HOWEVER THESE CONSUMERS HEARD A POPPING/CLICKING NOISE WHILE OPERATING THE WINDOW AND ARE CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW MAY EVENTUALLY SHATTER. FIFTEEN (15) COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT THE WINDOW EXPLODED OR SHATTERED. TWELVE (12) OF THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE GLASS SHATTERED WHILE THE WINDOW WAS BEING RAISED OR LOWERED. NONE OF THE EWR REPORTS STATE THAT THE WINDOW SHATTERED. EIGHT (8) COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THAT PRIOR TO THE GLASS SHATTERING, THE OWNERS HEARD A POPPING/CLICKING NOISE AND/OR THE WINDOW STOPPED/STUCK WHILE THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO RAISE/LOWER THE WINDOW. THE EWR REPORTS INDICATE SIMILAR WARNINGS. THREE (3) COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE INJURIES TO THE HANDS, ARMS OR LEGS, SUSTAINED WHILE CLEANING THE GLASS DEBRIS OUT OF THE FRONT SEATS.Isn't it too bad that the NHTSA can't find people who can type in both lower AND uppercase???Link --> http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/c...s.cfm

Quote, originally posted by phreon »So then do Toyota badged vehicles such as the Tacoma leave the NUMMI plant with a paint job equally as crappy as the Vibe's? I consider this problem to be a side effect of the GM relationship; how many Matrixes (Matrices?) have had exploding window issues?Yes, I seem to recall reading even the Tacoma leaves NUMMI with bad paint. I've seen pics of it here before. Someone had a pic of what the inside of the cab looks like with trim removed, it was disturbing - they didn't even bother to paint most of it, leading to rust of course... Similar complaints about the durability of the paint as we have with the Vibe as well. But anyway, that can't be Toyota's fault, it must be since GM is involved with NUMMI that the Tacoma (and no dobut the Corolla) have paint problems. Seeing that NUMMI produces Corollas and Vibes on the same line and at the same time, I find it highly unlikely that the plant personnel are going around saying "oh, this is a Corolla, we'd better build it better than this crappy Vibe behind it which we cut corners on because GM is involved." From the pics I've seen of the inner workings of the plant, Corollas and Vibes are mixed in together during the production, it isn't like they build the Corolla on certain days, the Vibe on the rest. Those two share a line, the Tacoma gets its own. I'm inclined to believe that they both the Corolla and Vibe get built the same way - with the same processes, same attention to detail (or lack thereof.) Chances are the Corolla probably has all of these faults as well - crappy paint, crappy windows (at least one person here has said that the Corolla/Matrix/Vibe can all have this problem, maybe it's worth a look on NHTSA's site for complaints.) But overall, you probably don't hear the Toyota people complaining as much because they don't want word to get out that their beloved Toyota has problems too just like anything else, that would be a tragedy and kill their precious resale value or whatever. All of this reminds me of when I was complaining about the engine knock I had in the Vibe to a die-hard Toyota fan and he has the nerve to tell me that the only reasons I had problems with that engine was because it was in a Pontiac. Gee, like there was no chance at all that engine could have made it into a Corolla?

I know that this is old but I just read an article that the U.S. government is investigating the exploding window problem. I would expect that there may be a recall up soon. I'll just shut up as there is another post dictating the same information.

Just a question, so then if NHTSA has the investigation going when do they recall? LOL I have this issue and need it fixed BAD! I was a person who went on and complained about it. It has happend to me not once but TWICE with my 2003 vibe window on the drivers side.

anything more on a possible recall on the windows?

This is all I can find on it.NHTSA Action Number: N/AN/A NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: PE07049 N/A Make: PONTIAC Model: VIBE Manufacturer : GENERAL MOTORS CORP. Year : 2004 Component : VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR Date Investigation Opened : September 27, 2007 Date Investigation Closed : February 5, 2008 Summary: THE SUBJECT VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED BY NEW UNITED MOTOR MANUFACTURING, INC. (NUMMI) IN FREMONT, CALIFORNIA. NUMMI IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN GENERAL MOTORS AND TOYOTA. TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPONDING TO THIS NHTSA INVESTIGATION. TOYOTA REPORTS THAT ITS EVALUATION IS INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER; TOYOTA HAS IDENTIFIED TWO ISSUES THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SIDE WINDOW GLASS BREAKING. IN ITS JANUARY 11, 2008 LETTER TO ODI, TOYOTA STATED THAT "A MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS INCLUDED IN THIS RESPONSE ARE MOST LIKELY RELATED TO THE LOOSENING OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR BOLTS." THE SECOND ISSUE IS, "LESS PREDOMINANTLY, THE INTERFERENCE OF THE SIDE WINDOW GLASS WITH THE DOOR CHECK LINK...." ODI HAS RECEIVED 46 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER POWER FRONT WINDOW SHATTERED, AND/OR THE WINDOW MAKES A POPPING/CLICKING NOISE DURING OPERATION. A LOOSENING OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR BOLTS MAY PRODUCT A POPPING NOISE WHILE OPERATING THE WINDOW. THE POWER WINDOW SYSTEM IN THE VIBE IS ALSO USED IN THE TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. TOYOTA IDENTIFIED 203 COMPLAINTS FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE; AND, 254 COMPLAINTS FOR MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX ALLEGING THAT THE SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERED AND/OR MADE A POPPING/CLICKING NOISE DURING OPERATION. TOYOTA IS STILL MONITORING AND EVALUATING THIS ISSUE. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-004) TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE . NHTSA Action Number: N/A NHTSA Recall Campaign Number: EA08004 N/A Make: PONTIAC Model: VIBE Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION Year : 2004 Component : VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Date Investigation Opened : February 5, 2008 Date Investigation Closed : Open Summary: THE PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES ARE MANUFACTURED BY NEW UNITED MOTOR MANUFACTURING, INC. (NUMMI) IN FREMONT, CALIFORNIA. NUMMI IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN GENERAL MOTORS AND TOYOTA. TOYOTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPONDING TO THIS NHTSA INVESTIGATION. TOYOTA REPORTS THAT ITS EVALUATION IS INCOMPLETE AT THIS TIME, HOWEVER; TOYOTA HAS IDENTIFIED TWO ISSUES THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SIDE WINDOW GLASS BREAKING. IN ITS JANUARY 11, 2008 LETTER TO ODI, TOYOTA STATED THAT "A MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS INCLUDED IN THIS RESPONSE ARE MOST LIKELY RELATED TO THE LOOSENING OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR BOLTS." THE SECOND ISSUE IS, "LESS PREDOMINANTLY, INTERFERENCE OF THE SIDE WINDOW GLASS WITH THE DOOR CHECK LINK...." ODI HAS RECEIVED 46 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THAT THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER POWER FRONT WINDOW SHATTERED, AND/OR THE WINDOW MAKES A POPPING/CLICKING NOISE DURING OPERATION. A LOOSENING OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR BOLTS MAY PRODUCE A POPPING NOISE WHILE OPERATING THE WINDOW. THE POWER WINDOW SYSTEM IN THE PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES IS ALSO USED IN THE TOYOTA COROLLA AND THE TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX. TOYOTA IDENTIFIED 203 COMPLAINTS FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-2004 PONTIAC VIBE; AND, 254 COMPLAINTS FOR MY 2003-2004 TOYOTA COROLLA AND TOYOTA COROLLA MATRIX ALLEGING THAT THE SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERED AND/OR MADE A POPPING/CLICKING NOISE DURING OPERATION. TOYOTA IS STILL MONITORING AND EVALUATING THIS ISSUE. ODI OPENS THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.