The 2004 Pontiac Vibe has 6 recalls, all involving the airbag system, with the most serious being a defective passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, potentially causing serious injury or death.
Several related recalls address the broader airbag system: the supplemental restraint system circuits can short internally, causing unexpected airbag or seatbelt pretensioner deployment without a crash. One of the Takata inflator recalls specifically covers vehicles that were ever registered in high-humidity regions such as Florida, the Gulf Coast, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, where moisture exposure worsens the rupture risk. There is also a separate concern for vehicles whose passenger airbag was previously replaced under an earlier recall: the replacement unit may not unfold correctly during inflation in high temperatures, meaning the bag may not protect the occupant in a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The replacement front passenger air bag may not unfold correctly during inflation in high temperature conditions, potentially failing to inflate properly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the passenger air bag module at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during a crash due to propellant breakdown over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or the entire air bag assembly with a new one, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger side front air bag inflator may develop excessive internal pressure, causing it to rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag with a corrected unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator can rupture during a crash when the air bag deploys, potentially causing injury.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Electrical noise can damage the air bag control module, causing front air bags, side air bags, and seatbelt pretensioners to deploy unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the air bag control module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The airbag control module circuits can short internally, causing excessive heat and abnormal current flow that may trigger unintended deployment of front airbags and seat belt pretensioners.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the airbag control module with a new one at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
