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Safety and Reliability Ratings > 2003 > Pontiac > VIBE

2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT
Hatchback 4 DR
Front wheel drive


CARFAX has collected the industry's leading used car safety and reliability ratings into one, convenient report. With this report, you'll know the safety and reliability of your next used car. All information presented in this report is specific to the 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT. Please view the CARFAX Vehicle History Report for the detailed history of a specific used PONTIAC.

 

CARFAX Safety Section One  Safety:

This information will help you select a vehicle model that meets your expectations for safety and security.

CARFAX Safety Section Two  Reliability:

Use this information to check how reliable a vehicle model is before you buy.


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NHTSA Crash Test Results National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration
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Frontal Crash: Rating:   NHTSA Five Star Legend
Driver Rating 5 of 5  
Passenger Rating 5 of 5  
Side Crash: Rating:  
Front Seat Rating 5 of 5  
Rear Seat Rating 4 of 5  
Rollover Resistance: Rating:  
Rollover Resistance Rating 4 of 5  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides 3 different ratings - full-width frontal crash test , side impact crash test , and rollover resistance . The frontal crash test indicates how well the safety features and restraints will protect an occupant in a head-on collision. The side-impact test conveys the chance of a severe chest injury, while the rollover resistance rating estimates the risk of rolling over in a single vehicle crash. Go to NHTSA to learn more about these results.


IIHS Crash Test Results Highway Loss Data Institute
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IIHS Crash Test Results for the 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT are not available in CARFAX Safety & Reliability Ratings.




Low-Speed Damage Repair Highway Loss Data Institute
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Front Crash Description: Front Crash Cost:
Front into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Front into angle barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear Crash Description: Rear Crash Cost:
Rear into flat barrier   Not tested by IIHS
Rear into pole   Not tested by IIHS
Average Damage Per Test   Not tested by IIHS

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts four 5 mph crash tests to assess bumper performance. These results convey how well this 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT bumpers will protect the car body from damage in low-speed collisions. Low-speed damage repair costs are obtained from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.


Injury, Collision, & Theft Indicators Highway Loss Data Institute
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Index: Score: Rating:
Injury Index 103 Average
Collision Index 104 Average
Theft Index 39 Substantially better than average


These scores are stated in relative terms, with 100 being the average for all cars in each category. Scores greater than 100 represent higher risk in each category. For example, an injury indicator score of 122 means that a passenger in this model is 22% more likely to be injured in an accident. The injury, collision, and theft indicators for this 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT are provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute. Learn more about these results.



Safety Recalls
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NHTSA Safety Recalls:
Important: The following recalls were issued for the 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). To find out if a specific 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT still has open recalls that require repair, CARFAX recommends contacting an authorized dealership for more information.

Recall date: 03-04-2002
Units potentially affected: 2,701
NHTSA campaign number: 02V074002
Defective part or component: POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Description: On certain two-wheel drive (2WD) passenger vehicles, it is possible for the bolts that join the rear brake and hub assembly to the rear axle carrier to be loose due to insufficient tightening during the assembly process. If the vehicle is operated in this condition, one or more of the four bolts could come loose, causing an abnormal noise from the rear axle area. In the event that all four bolts loosen completely, separation of the rear brake and hub assembly from the rear axle carrier could occur, which could lead to a loss of vehicle control. Dealers will properly tighten the bolts. Owner notification began March 12, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.


This 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT safety recall information was provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Data Loss Institute and is derived from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration list of safety recalls. Please call the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236) to report safety defects or to obtain information on cars, trucks, child seats, and highway or traffic safety. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by the National Highway Traffic and Saftey Administration, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Looking at a Specific 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT?
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J.D. Power Ratings
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Ownership: Rating:
Initial Ratings (up to 1 year)  
Overall Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Mechanical Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Quality Rating 2 of 5
  Body and Interior Quality Rating 2.5 of 5
Overall Appeal Rating 2.5 of 5
  Performance Rating 2 of 5
  Comfort Rating 3 of 5
  Feature and Instrument Panel Rating 2.5 of 5
  Style Rating 3 of 5
Midterm Ratings (1-3 Years)  
  Mechanical Reliability No data from source
  Feature and Accessory Reliability No data from source
  Body and Interior Reliability No data from source
Long Term Ratings (3-5 Years)  
Overall Dependability Rating 3 of 5
  Mechanical Dependability Rating 4 of 5
  Feature and Accessory Dependability Rating 3.5 of 5
  Body and Interior Dependability Rating 2 of 5

J.D. Power and Associates uses selected highlights from the firm's quality and customer satisfaction syndicated studies to create the Power Ratings at the model-level. These ratings and awards are based on model rankings within each vehicle segment, whereas Power Circle Ratings compare all models across segments.

All information provided by J.D. Power and Associates is proprietary information owned by J.D. Power and Associates and is protected by U.S. and international copyright law and conventions. Reproduction of this information, in whole or in part, by any means is prohibited without the express written consent of J.D. Power and Associates, other than printing copies of the JDPA content by site visitors for their personal use. J.D. Power and Associates® is a registered trademark of J.D. Power and Associates.



Identifix Reliability Ratings
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Category: Comments: Rating:
Engine Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Transmission & Driveline Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Steering & Suspension Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Brakes Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Heating & Air Conditioning Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Starting & Charging Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Accessories Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs Minimal Problems
Identifix Legend


This 2003 PONTIAC VIBE reliability information was provided by Identifix. Identifix is the nation's largest technical support service for the aftermarket auto repair industry. CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by Identifix, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Intellichoice Cost of Ownership & Value Rating Intellichoice
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Cost of Ownership (2003 - 2007):
Category:    Vibe GT 4 Dr Wagon:
Depreciation $10,566
Financing $2,600
Insurance $6,540
State Fees $384
Fuel $4,001
Maintenance $2,113
Repairs $722
Total 5-Year Ownership Cost $26,926

Ownership costs are the costs to purchase and operate a vehicle over a period of time. Understanding these costs can save you money and help you make a wiser financial decision when it comes time to select a vehicle. Intellichoice is one of the leading providers of automotive information in the U.S.

Original Manufacturer Warranty
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Coverage: Years/Mileage:
Basic 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Drivetrain 3 years or 36,000 miles  
Emissions 2 years or 24,000 miles  
Corrosion 6 years or 100,000 miles  
Transferable Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered.  
Roadside Assistance Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  
Safety Belt & Inflatable Restraint No data from source  
Specific Components 8 years or 80,000 miles  
Notes: Manufacturer covers emissions components under basic warranty. Emissions coverage may vary by state. Refer to owners manual for specific details. Transferable: no cost, unlimited owners covered. Alignment and wheel balancing are considered maintenance after 7,500 miles. Basic warranty includes surface corrosion, batteries, adjustments, alternate transportation, roadside assistance, and tires. Roadside assistance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles.  

This 2003 PONTIAC VIBE GT warranty information has been provided by J&L Warranty Pros.


New Car Test Drive Review
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Category: Review:
Summary:

Slam poetry in motion.
By Larry Edsall, NewCarTestDrive.com

The Pontiac Vibe competes with the Ford Focus, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Volkswagen Golf, Mazda Protege5 and, of course, the Toyota Matrix, which doesn't offer as much standard equipment as Pontiac does.

The Vibe's strengths are its extensive list of standard equipment in all three of its versions, its innovative cargo system, its equally innovative standard electrical outlet and its Toyota build quality.

The Vibe AWD may have appeal in the snow belt. The Vibe GT deserves consideration as a pocket rocket for those who don't have deep pockets, but who want a rocket with big pockets for their friends and cargo.

Overview:

When Pontiac first revealed the Vibe, it did it with slam poets describing the vehicle's appeal. If you don't know what a slam poet is, you're probably not in the target market for the Vibe GT, although you still may be a customer for the entry-level model.

Innovative and interesting, the Vibe was built in response to research into what the youth market wants in a vehicle in the early years of the 21st Century. So this five-door hatchback has a roomy interior, a creative cargo-carrying system and even a standard 110-watt electrical outlet so occupants can plug in a laptop computer or video game unit. Speaking of those laptops, GM used the Internet to let potential customers name the Vibe's colors, which include Lava, Satellite and Envy.

For those who want a sport compact but don't want to do all the work themselves, Pontiac offers a Vibe GT model. There's also an all-wheel-drive version.

But regardless of the buyer's age or model chosen, the Vibe may offer the best of at least two automotive worlds: it was conceived by General Motors but is built with Toyota components and assembly standards. (Toyota did its own exterior styling for the Matrix, its version of the car for the North American market. However, for the Japanese market, Toyota simply sells right-hand-drive versions of the Pontiac-styled Vibe as the Toyota Voltz. See separate review of the Toyota Matrix at nctd.com.)

Read the complete 2003 Pontiac Vibe review

© 2002 NewCarTestDrive.com

CARFAX does not review, validate or edit the information and statements provided by NewCarTestDrive.com, which do not represent the opinion of CARFAX.



Awards
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View awardees recognized by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com, Polk Automotive, and J.D. Power and Associates.



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