Ask the Car People.SM


Pontiac Vibe Transmission Troubles

141 messages,  Last post on Feb 25, 2013 at 1:54 PM

You are in the Pontiac Vibe Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Vibe, Transmission, Wagon


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 7 of 14

#61 of 141 Re: 2005 Pontiac Vibe P2716 code [06_vibe] by maxx4me

Jan 18, 2010 (3:54 am)

Replying to: 06_vibe (Jan 17, 2010 6:50 pm)
Just do a search on Powertrain Control Module on the internet and read to your heart's content:
A Powertrain Control Module, abbreviated PCM, is an automotive component, an electronic control unit (ECU), used on motor vehicles. It is generally a combined control unit, consisting of the engine control unit (also known as an ECU) and the transmission control unit. It commonly controls more than 5 factors in the car or truck.

#62 of 141 Re: 2005 Pontiac Vibe P2716 code [revrblue] by scrappyd

Sep 19, 2010 (8:06 pm)

Replying to: revrblue (Jul 14, 2009 6:38 am)
Same problem (P2716) and I couldn't convince a service mgr that the "universal" fluid they put in helped create the problem. $1,153 later I had to have PCN replaced, filter kit, AC actuator blew so it was causing clicking sounds - all after I paid for car. Bottom line- svs mgr said this is a known problem in the Vibes 2716 and the fix is to replace PCN. Bottom line it seems GMC should have recalled these vehicles because not only did engine light just go on, but the car was jerking so bad I almost got into a serious accident just trying to get to the garage.

#63 of 141 PCM vs Transmission Failure by vibe05tx

Oct 04, 2010 (7:39 pm)

I own a 2005 Vibe, automatic transmission, base model, purchased new. At 33,000 miles and just over the 36 month warranty, it began to shift roughly from 1st to 2nd gear, and the check engine light came on. This happened intermittently for not quite 2 weeks, so I took it to a nearby Firestone. They found the code P2716 and black transmission fluid, so told me to take it to a nearby transmission specialist. I drove it, jerking and hard-shifting, to the tranny place, where I was told that they needed to dismantle the transmission to diagnose the problem, as nothing else seemed to be wrong. Upon taking the tranny apart, he told me there were pieces of metal/grit inside, with black/burned fluid, and I needed a new or rebuilt transmission.
 
At this point, I had it towed--in pieces--to the dealership and requested assistance from GM. Dealership told me there was nothing they could do to help with the $$, as the tranny was in pieces and they couldn't tell what was wrong with it. They charged me $4500 for a new transmission. After putting it in, they told me the P2716 code was still on, but wanted me to take it home anyway--I refused. Finally, their computer expert showed up 3 days later and said the PCM was faulty; they replaced this part for free. I had to rent cars for 2 weeks to get to work, as the dealership refused to help with a loaner or renal reimbursement.
 
Was there ever anything wrong with the transmission? As in, if the PCM has failed, does that irreversibly damage the transmission? Now that there is a recall on the PCM, do I have any grounds to demand a refund? If you look at this forum, a service bulletin existed prior to my arrival at the dealership, but they did not mention this problem when I arrived, even though I showed them the papers with the P2716 code from Firestone. I called Pontiac today, and the rep I spoke to said "they haven't really told us anything about the Vibe recall".

#64 of 141 Re: PCM vs Transmission Failure [vibe05tx] by scrappyd

Oct 04, 2010 (7:51 pm)

Replying to: vibe05tx (Oct 04, 2010 7:39 pm)
RECALL NOTICE:
After spending over $1k early Sept 2010 and hearing from Pontiac and 2 other mechanic offices that there is NO RECALL NOTICE prior to my repairs
   I received a RECALL NOTICE on 9/29/2010 FROM PONTIAC ON 2005 - the PCM has been improperly manufactured. :
I am going to try and get some money back. For all who have not registered their car (I bought used but registered car onsite) contact Pontiac Customer Assistance at 1800 620 7668 . The address on their letter head is PO Box 909989 Milwaukee, WI 5320-9989
 
I hope they honor this and pay me back for labor and parts of the PCM. Pretty sad that the main pontiac dealer in Austin stated there was no recall unless it truely was coincidental.

#65 of 141 Re: PCM vs Transmission Failure [scrappyd] by rebecca15

Oct 09, 2010 (8:14 am)

Replying to: scrappyd (Oct 04, 2010 7:51 pm)
I live in Austin too and just bought a used 2005 Vibe. I had it 2 weeks and the check engine light comes on. I get two codes: P0455 and P0441. I've been doing some online research and found a bulletin item for these codes that says:
 
A check engine light may be experienced with dtcs p0171, p0441, p0455 and/or p2420 - inspect production part number on pcm.
 
I'm just wondering if you got the same codes and what you had to do to get it fixed. I'm going to try to call the number you listed, but since I bought used from a private dealership, I don't think I'll have any luck registering the car.

#66 of 141 Re: PCM vs Transmission Failure [rebecca15] by scrappyd

Oct 27, 2010 (9:32 am)

Replying to: rebecca15 (Oct 09, 2010 8:14 am)
Hey - I thought I'd get an email message if someone replied. I just got off the phone with Pontiac. Here is the BAD NEWS FOR ME. Even though I did get a recall notice they are now telling me it was only a prelim announcement and that they have NOT OFFICIALLY RELEASED A true recall. Which is probably why the local Pontiac Dealership told me there was NO recall notice when it broke down. So the short of the long explanation the guy explained to me is that it could be Nov or Dec before they actually announce a recall (probably due to profits and economics and such) - so I can't do anything but to suck up the over $1k it cost to get the darn thing fixed.
 
I didn't have your same codes but once the PCM was replaced the car seemed better than when it was actually working. I must caution though for my experience the car started stuttering and shifting was a stop and go to the point that on a drive you are at risk. I got alot of angry honks from people who must have thought me a a new driver or worse so if you experience this try to get to a dealership or authorized repair place since it could stall out completely. For me, my car died and for some reason sucked out my battery life so that had to be replaced too. So combine a tow, battery and new PCM with labor and it's expensive. Good luck
 
I can't believe Pontiac way of handling this instead of head on is to postpone this and say "this is just a pretend notice" even though the letter even uses the phrase "risk of crash" - it's all just a drill..... we won't help you ....yet ...or maybe at some point in the future...this is bad leadership on the company's part to allow this to happen.

#67 of 141 Re: 2005 Pontiac Vibe P2716 code [scrappyd] by scrappyd

Oct 27, 2010 (9:40 am)

Replying to: scrappyd (Sep 19, 2010 8:06 pm)
Revrblue: Not sure you are still following up on this but I just read your message. I had the same thing - P2716 code, and my actuator blew as well which was another $95 for part plus labor. See my other message I just posted on here - I called Pontiac about the recall notice they sent me. Basically they said it's a preliminary notice and not an actual full blown recall - hence no luck in getting a reimbursement - at least not now - and from the sounds and dates of some of these issues some of these people experienced issues over a year ago and Pontiac is no closer to helping their consumers get this resolved. Not good.

#68 of 141 Re: 2005 Pontiac Vibe P2716 code [scrappyd] by gmcustsvc

Oct 28, 2010 (11:45 am)

Scrappyd,
I would like to look into your situation further. Please e-mail me with your contact information, VIN, as well as involved dealer by clicking on “gmcustsvc” for the e-mail address. Please address it attention Christina. I look forward to hearing from you.
Christina
GM Customer Service

#69 of 141 Re: PCM vs Transmission Failure [vibe05tx] by lalswift

Oct 28, 2010 (5:07 pm)

Replying to: vibe05tx (Oct 04, 2010 7:39 pm)
This is the exact thing that happened to us! Two years ago! The first thing I did was call Pontiac and they said they had never heard of anything like this and that "No" there was no recall. With the check engine light on and the car bucking like a bronco we limped to the repair shop. Transmission specialist found metal filings in the transmission and replace the whole thing for $3000! After the repair it did the same thing until the PCM was replaced. We also got the recall letter and now need to wait for the second letter. Unbelievable.

#70 of 141 Re: PCM vs Transmission Failure [lalswift] by bluevibe

Nov 02, 2010 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: lalswift (Oct 28, 2010 5:07 pm)
lalswift, I understand your situation. We have a 2006 Vibe. In August, it stalled at 70 mph (Speed limit) in the left lane on an interstate in Kentucky. Drove OK afterward, except for some odd shifting. Check engine light came on Oct 23. Mechanic found PCM was faulty and was sending odd signals to the transmission solenoid. Dealer confirmed. GM cust service can't do anything because, according to customer assistance, the dealer told them that "it is not an immediate problem." We need a car to drive, but they have no idea when they can replace the module. I hope that the transmission doesn't fail by then. Customer assistance? Give me a break!

Messages Page 7 of 14

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement