GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Toyota is recalling Corollas etc. for " a possible defect in the steering system may cause “knocking or rattling and possibly a reduction in steering response.”
I have this rattle that I think may have to do with the steering - no noise at moderate/higher speeds on smooth road - a lot of noise at slower speed on a slightly uneven road.
I noticed it before the 3 year warranty was up - should have complained - but it has gotten much more pronounced. Bought new Jan. 2009, Only 20,000 miles at present.

Same here .... at least on Junior's Vibe which now has 43000 miles on it. Very noticable and sometimes annoying. My Vibe, at only 13000 miles is still perfect BUT it's just a matter of time before it acts up like all the others. One member here has already changed out his steering column several times (works at a dealership). Supposedly it is of no threat to the drive-ability of the car BUT it certainly doesn't sound good when driving it

Holy crap! I bet this is what the rattle is! Is it like a hallow fast rattle? Thats the best way I can describe it. It only happens on really rough roads. My Vibe has 99,900 miles on it now; its progressively been getting worse.

What years are affected?? Frosty's out of commission for the time being.

I was always suspect about the possibility of a serious issue with the steering system on the Vibe. I had learned to live with the noise, but I was still bothered by it.

09vGT wrote: My Vibe has 99,900 miles on it

I want to see your "100,000 mile" snapshot in the next couple days

tpollauf wrote: I want to see your "100,000 mile" snapshot in the next couple days

You will be! That is.. unless I forget. I should reach it by Saturday since I'm driving home 60+ miles.

Can someone please post the recall on the Corolla component that is shared by the second gen Vibe?

Please?

I just begged the genvibe masses for information in the Handling-Suspension thread as well. Hopefully our GM tech will chime in and update us with some good news soon even though these pages seem to get quieter and quieter as the months roll on.

Caretaker wrote:I just begged the genvibe masses for information in the Handling-Suspension thread as well. Hopefully our GM tech will chime in and update us with some good news soon even though these pages seem to get quieter and quieter as the months roll on.

google "toyota recall steering corolla canada" for a start. I have not bothered - I know the US Vibe recall is coming eventually. I can wait.
The thing is that many of these recalls are a parts supplier issue. It is really not a Toyota fault.

Would this cause a rattling noise coming from the passenger side dash area? That's what I've been dealing with for over a year now.

always empty out your entire glove compartment when trying to diagnose a noise from that side. If when empty, the noise continues, it could be a host of suspension related things such as a strut top bushing, the strut itself, ball joint, or the rack and pinion shaft. The current issue with the 2nd generation vibe steering is definitely the steering column with the noise emanating from the driver's side only.

TownDrunk wrote:Would this cause a rattling noise coming from the passenger side dash area? That's what I've been dealing with for over a year now.

Does anyone know what this rattling noise is? I have it too and it sounds like it is coming from the passenger side dash/glovebox area.
it is nothing in the glovebox as i cleared that out. it appears to be a rattling knocking noise coming from behind passenger dash area. It is really annoying me. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

I had my Vibe in at the dealer for a rattle in steering column area - they think it is trim related. I don't agree.
Too bad none of the articles I was able to find had any decent info.

Anyone have any thoughts in regards to the rattling/vibration noise? It comes from the front passenger area, usually when I hit 2500 rpms or 65mph. I'm beginning to think it might be the airbag? It's been making the noise for about a year now. I have a couple thousand miles left on my warranty, so I want to get it in to the dealer before it expires. However, it would be nice if I could point them in the right direction, as they can usually never "replicate" the sound

My rattle is bellow 25MPH and happens on a rough surface - but it has to be just right.

I'm curious to see what happens with this - i've posted a few items on here in regards to noise from steering columns - i've had to put 4 in my car alone under warranty for rattle noise over rough roads & at slower speeds - its not a safety related item, just a noise issue - i've put 20+ columns in 2009-2010 Vibes for the same issue of rattle noise - the Chevy Cobalts & Pontiac Pursuit/G5 have the same problem with rattle noise - The noise is related to the column mounted assist motor (in my opinion, this is what i've determined through many replacements) - (the new Rack mounted assist motor columns don't seem to make this noise) - I've given up on trying to fix it, it hasn't gotten any worse, its just there - the replacement columns i've put are the same ones coming out, so the issue isn't being addressed yet - maybe this new recall will (hopefully it comes to our platform), wait & see...

XRVibe10 wrote:I'm curious to see what happens with this - i've posted a few items on here in regards to noise from steering columns - i've had to put 4 in my car alone under warranty for rattle noise over rough roads & at slower speeds - its not a safety related item, just a noise issue - i've put 20+ columns in 2009-2010 Vibes for the same issue of rattle noise - the Chevy Cobalts & Pontiac Pursuit/G5 have the same problem with rattle noise - The noise is related to the column mounted assist motor (in my opinion, this is what i've determined through many replacements) - (the new Rack mounted assist motor columns don't seem to make this noise) - I've given up on trying to fix it, it hasn't gotten any worse, its just there - the replacement columns i've put are the same ones coming out, so the issue isn't being addressed yet - maybe this new recall will (hopefully it comes to our platform), wait & see...

After one miss diagnosis by the dealer believing it was my vibes steering rack, and then knowing the real issue through conversations with folks here on GenVibe is the reason I decided not to pursue replacing the steering column knowing the rattle could and probably would come back. The other reason is, I assumed it would not be a safety related issue and therefore would be safe to drive the vehicle without any concern. But if some of the corollas are having possible steering response issues, maybe I should have been concerned.

Autofan242 wrote:

TownDrunk wrote:Would this cause a rattling noise coming from the passenger side dash area? That's what I've been dealing with for over a year now.

Does anyone know what this rattling noise is? I have it too and it sounds like it is coming from the passenger side dash/glovebox area.
it is nothing in the glovebox as i cleared that out. it appears to be a rattling knocking noise coming from behind passenger dash area. It is really annoying me. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

It could be just the seatbelt buckle tapping against the passenger door panel. That's the only loud noise that I hear every once in a while.

XRVibe10 wrote:I'm curious to see what happens with this - i've posted a few items on here in regards to noise from steering columns - i've had to put 4 in my car alone under warranty for rattle noise over rough roads & at slower speeds - its not a safety related item, just a noise issue - i've put 20+ columns in 2009-2010 Vibes for the same issue of rattle noise - the Chevy Cobalts & Pontiac Pursuit/G5 have the same problem with rattle noise - The noise is related to the column mounted assist motor (in my opinion, this is what i've determined through many replacements) - (the new Rack mounted assist motor columns don't seem to make this noise) - I've given up on trying to fix it, it hasn't gotten any worse, its just there - the replacement columns i've put are the same ones coming out, so the issue isn't being addressed yet - maybe this new recall will (hopefully it comes to our platform), wait & see...

So I take it this is related to the electric power steering - that replaced the old hydraulic system.

A few links that probably has already been posted, but might help in the hunt of info.

viewtopic.php?t=35034" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://wardsauto.com/ar/jtekt_under_radar_090630" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.aa1car.com/library/steering_ ... ectric.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/0 ... -steering/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.toyotapart.com/Steering_Off_ ... 014010.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.toyotapart.com/STEERING_INTE ... 243-09.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.angelfire.com/co/ladyjarrett ... 8-006B.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/10 ... ng-problem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.yourcobalt.com/forums/recall ... ative.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2006/che ... oblem.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2009/pon ... oblem.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ParknVibe wrote:

Autofan242 wrote:

TownDrunk wrote:Would this cause a rattling noise coming from the passenger side dash area? That's what I've been dealing with for over a year now.

Does anyone know what this rattling noise is? I have it too and it sounds like it is coming from the passenger side dash/glovebox area.
it is nothing in the glovebox as i cleared that out. it appears to be a rattling knocking noise coming from behind passenger dash area. It is really annoying me. Any info would be helpful. Thanks.

It could be just the seatbelt buckle tapping against the passenger door panel. That's the only loud noise that I hear every once in a while.

The passenger seat back will rattle too depending on the angle it is set at when going over bumpy stuff.

10vibe wrote:A few links that probably has already been posted, but might help in the hunt of info.

Very helpful & informative links. After reading most of them and hearing that it is likely the electric motor part of the column, I wonder how long before this escalates to a Pontiac TSB, OR an actual recall. Not holding my breath just yet

Turns out my '09 seems to have the same rattle (now at 65,000 miles) but I haven't really noticed as I tend to run the stereo any time I'm in the car... LOL

I think I'm gonna just save up all the recalls and do them all at once... still haven't gone in for the mats or pedal issues even though they send me a postcard about once every 3 months. My dealer is about 35 miles from where I work and I just haven't wanted to take the time to travel that far.

I used to be a big believer in Japanese autos... had an '86 Nissan pickup that I drove for over 10 years... had a lot of adventures and loved it... never let me down. Now the Japanese vehicles seem to be plagued by recalls and several serious issues that usually end up treated to extended warranties. Only problem for me is I usually buy used cars, and those extended warranties are usually up by the time I get one.

Case in point... I like the Nissan trucks like the Frontier and Xterra. My shopping budget leaves me in the early to mid 2000's. The sweet spot around 2004 or 05 is plagued by both a radiator that leaks and takes out the automatic trannies to the tune of $7k, or the plastic timing chain guides in the 4.0 engines wear out and cause all kind of racket to the tune of $1200 service job to replace with the updated parts... No Nissans for me.

Now my Toyota/Pontiac seems to be a recall magnet... LOL

PS> I know all manufacturers have plenty of recalls, I just grew up in a time when the Japanese cars kicked the snot out of the rest of the world and the last few years have really burst my bubble... *grin

I wonder if part of the problem is that years ago the auto manufacturers made the auto parts. Now, save for the basic engine, transmission and body all the parts seem to be made by outside suppliers.

tpollauf wrote:

10vibe wrote:A few links that probably has already been posted, but might help in the hunt of info.

Very helpful & informative links. After reading most of them and hearing that it is likely the electric motor part of the column, I wonder how long before this escalates to a Pontiac TSB, OR an actual recall. Not holding my breath just yet

Glad it was helpful. Good question. When I get time I will try to find more info on it.

jake75 wrote:I wonder if part of the problem is that years ago the auto manufacturers made the auto parts. Now, save for the basic engine, transmission and body all the parts seem to be made by outside suppliers.

This is a trend that is affecting many companies. When there is a problem, it usually affects more than one manufacturer since they use some of the same parts, sometimes with only cosmetic, outer cases or mounting differences. A window switch that catches fire might nail a Chevy, Honda, and a Toyota. There have been a bad batch of water-pumps too that might go across several manufacturers. These column mounted EPS's have been put in a lot of different cars.