Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||||
| 290102 | 01/29/2002 | 629728 | Subject regarding automatic light control operation. *tt | 04/05/2002 | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||||
| 611 | 11/01/2004 | 10016257 | Automatic headlamp-owners may comment that the automatic headlamp system does not turn the headlamps on when the vehicle is started during low light conditions. *sc | 09/06/2005 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||
| 01/06/2006 | 34000 | 1 | |
| Whenever the car is parked outside overnight, and the air temperature drops below about 30 degrees f, the headlights turn on with the headlight switch in the off position. this leads to a dead battery and an inability to start the car the following morning. from my research on this problem, this seems to be a problem with both the 2003 pontiac vibe and its sister car, the 2003 toyota matrix. toyota has a tsb on the problem for the matrix (el003-03), gm does not have one for the vibe. *tr | |||
| 01/29/2009 | 140000 | 1 | |
| Every several months both headlights (right and left) burn out at the same time. this has effected only the low beams so far. when the bulbs are replaced, they work fine for several months. *tr | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||
| 10/12/2004 | 50000 | 2 | 10/29/2002 |
| Tl*-the contact owns a 2003 pontiac vibe. while traveling at night the contact noticed that the headlights of his vehicle became progressively dimmer. on further inspection he realized that the plastic cover on the headlight was becoming clouded. the dealer stated that the failure was in the lens it's self and tired to buff the lens clear to no success. the dealer stated that they would sell him new lens at a cost of $100.00 apiece. the failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 133,981. updated 4/25/08 *cn | |||
| 12/04/2006 | 1 | 11/12/2002 | |
| Have had to replace headlamp bulbs (either right or left) 3 times within the last year. i have bought the more expensive ones thinking that the cheaper bulbs were the problem and it is still doing it. have had 2003 vibe since november 2002 and have 125,000 miles on it. first set of headlamps lasted 2 years. *nm | |||
| 02/01/2004 | 0 | 03/29/2003 | |
| Automatic headlight sensor is too sensitive. | |||
| 02/03/2004 | 0 | 1 | 11/20/2002 |
| Chronic problem of overly sensitive automatic headlights turn on during daylight hours making instrument panel lights unreadable.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2003 | 12/22/2002 | ||
| Automatic headlights turn on in daylight - can't see dash. in the morning and evening when the sun is low and in your eyes, i wear sunglasses like most drivers. the automatic lights come on and dim the dash making it impossible to see. you can fiddle with the dash intensity and read it again, but it is annoying to do this all the time. the radio stays dim and is unadjustable by the dash intensity lights, making it impossible to see. you have to move your head to funny angles or remove your sunglasses to see the radio. i feel fiddling with the dash lights and/or removing your sunglasses to operate the radio are distractions to the driver and increase risk of accident. the dash lighting on the vibes is critical as it is because the dash lights must stay on all the time. this is because they are in a tunnel and you can not see them, even in bright light, without the dash lights on. couple in the fact that pontiac uses red backlighting for the dashboard and the dash gages are already at a sight disadvantage. throw in a touchy light sensor that turns on your headlights (and dims the dash) and it is not a good situation. the sensor is too sensitive and i noticed complaints on forums such as genvibe.com and matrix-vibe.net that make mention of the same problem. sensor should be disactivated or replaced with less sensitive type. i have a 2000 pontiac montanna with automatic lights and it works flawless. only comes on at dusk. never comes on with a low sun (dawn, dusk) shinning in your eyes. please note that my light sensor in my vibe is in the upper left corner of dash and it is not blocked in any manner. this location seems stupid for a light sensor also, as shadows from the a-pillar make it come in of the sun is blocked from the a-pillar. keith nelson | |||
| 06/01/2002 | |||
| Automatic headlight sensor is mounted on left side dash. shadows caused by left side roof pillar and/or texas inspection and registration stickers cast shadows over sensor at certain times of the day and orientation of the sun causing headlights to turn on with resultant dimming of dash lights and instruments to an un-readable level. the effect is quite shocking and leads the driver to initially believe that the car has lost all electrical power. dealer has indicated no known fix has been identified. a similar sensor on my buick rendevous is located in the center of the dash where shadows don't present such a problem.*ak | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS | |||
| 01/20/2003 | 900 | 01/11/2003 | |
| 2003 pontiac vibe. vehicle has a sensor that turns on the interior lights and taillights. these lights are not illuminated until 15-20 seconds elapse. i noted my wife driving away with headlights but no tail lights after she started the car after sunset. the tail lights came on as she was two blocks down the street. i believe this is a very danger design flaw that should be corrected immediately. thanks | |||