GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

We have a 2009 awd 2.4 Vibe with 22K, bought new, maintained well, driven by two 60+ people. We've had no problems, until . . . five times recently the car locked up in a parking lot. I mean, no steering wheel movement allowed, no key turn, no shift to neutral, nothing. Of course it wouldn't turn over or start. None of the easy fixes I found on Vibe/Matrix forums helped. I called several GM/Toyota dealerships to talk to service managers and mechanics: None had encountered this problem on this car.However, after a one-week stay at the selling dealer, the techs found a broken internal part in the steering column: a Toyota-stamped metal part called an "ignition lock cylinder case." Upon this part's replacement, the car seems to be fine.I'm telling all you this because the information might help you should your Vibe mysteriously lock up! I hope it helps.Thanks! (Ed in northern Michigan)

thanks for sharing always helpful to have more info

Quote, originally posted by ejhara »We have a 2009 awd 2.4 Vibe with 22K, bought new, maintained well, driven by two 60+ people. We've had no problems, until . . . five times recently the car locked up in a parking lot. I mean, no steering wheel movement allowed, no key turn, no shift to neutral, nothing. Of course it wouldn't turn over or start. None of the easy fixes I found on Vibe/Matrix forums helped. I called several GM/Toyota dealerships to talk to service managers and mechanics: None had encountered this problem on this car.However, after a one-week stay at the selling dealer, the techs found a broken internal part in the steering column: a Toyota-stamped metal part called an "ignition lock cylinder case." Upon this part's replacement, the car seems to be fine.I'm telling all you this because the information might help you should your Vibe mysteriously lock up! I hope it helps.Thanks! (Ed in northern Michigan)thanks for the info! my '10 has done this one 3 or 4 times in the year i've owned it. there's something in the owner's manual i found about this, and iirc, the suggestion was to turn the wheel further in the direction it is angled (it has always happened when i left the wheel cocked when parking) and this solved the problem every time. but it it becomes a regular problem (no episodes since last winter) i'll know what to have the dealer look for.