The 2006 Pontiac Vibe has 5 recalls, 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.
All four airbag recalls center on the same passenger-side frontal airbag inflator. The core defect involves an inflator that can explode rather than deploy cleanly, sending sharp metal fragments toward the driver and passengers. One filing specifically affects vehicles that were originally sold or registered in high-humidity regions, including Florida, Gulf Coast states, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories, where moisture accelerates the risk. A separate recall addresses vehicles where the passenger airbag was already replaced under a prior recall: the replacement inflator may not unfold correctly during deployment in high heat, leaving the airbag underinflated in a crash and reducing the protection it is meant to provide.
On the mechanical side, the engine control module on 2-wheel-drive Vibe models equipped with the 1ZZ-FE engine can develop cracks in the circuit board solder points or on internal components. Depending on what fails and how far the damage spreads, the consequences range from warning lights and rough running to more significant engine behavior changes, any of which can affect the vehicle's driveability.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag may not unfold properly during inflation in high temperature conditions, potentially failing to inflate as designed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly 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
The engine control module may have manufacturing defects that cause cracks to develop in solder joints or on circuit board components, affecting 2005-2008 Pontiac Vibes with the 1ZZ-FE engine and two-wheel drive.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the engine control module's production number and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
