Vibe Maintenance & Repair Concerns

gweilo

I have read in other forums that the Vibe paint job is overly susceptible to chipping etc.
Anyone have thoughts on this?

nippononly

is that paint complaints seem to pervade these boards for all different models, and maybe they just don't make it the way they used to. Maybe fierce competition in the market as well as rampant cost-cutting in the last 18 months has had its effect on this area of car manufacture...

ndjaz

I have a silver Vibe and have noticed a lot of chips on the bottom of the car. Have also noticed that the paint is very thin on the door molding to protect from door dings. Every time something hits these, i see the black underneath. Why can't they make the moldings one solid color?

maxx4me

I haven't seen this many chips since college. It is getting to the point that when I see a mosquito coming, I swerve around it to avoid another chip on my AWD Vibe.

hudrahead

nippon, ndjaz, maxx4me et al :

The paint on the rear facia on my wife's VIBE is VERY thin. Her car is white with the mono paint pkg. I really wish I'd saved the $350.00 that option cost because it definately is not worth the money considering how fragile it is. The flat surface below the rear hatch scratches from the slightest pressure. it really needs the rubber guard to protect it. I was looking @ some 2004's yesterday and they all had one on them, not listed on the MSRP sticker so I guess they may have made it standard.

So far the sides and the fron facia seem to be OK but they also seem to have heavier paint with a nice coat of clearcoat with a high gloss. The rear facia is rather dull and the "grain" or texture of the plastic underneath is very easy to see, rather "pebbly". I am considering asking the dealer to repaint the rear facia to better match the sides and front. Since the car is white a good color match should be no problem, I hope.

Will be taking a 3000 mile trip over the next two weeks so it will be interesting to see if I pick up any more "scars" LOL !!

Will report back when I return.

HUD :)

gatordude

I have a white Vibe with the monotone pckg, but I have BLACK paint chipping off. It's less than a couple of weeks old but the paint on the driver side window frame (which is black) is already chipping off. I never thought chocolate chips could leave such a bitter taste in my mouth!

But seriously, I love my Vibe, and I plan to have this one for a good 6 or 7 years. Even if it means a new bottle of touch-up every month!

maxx4me

Earl Scheib to the rescue!!

gatordude

Yesterday I discovered something that smelled and felt like melted plastic/rubber on the "rails" of the moonroof. The moonroof moves on these steel rails. It was around 85 degrees outside yesterday, though I'm sure the temperature was much higher in the car (it was in a parking lot). Anyway, has anyone else had this happen to their moonroof?

rog96

Just unhooked sensor in about 10 minutes time.(thx "jimincalif") Didn't have to bend down retaining clip and I hooked loose end into a white v shaped plastic thing behind it to keep it snug. No tape needed. With dash trim ring off I could clean the glass gauges completely with my micro-fiber cloth. Also found "KLASSE" acrylic the best thing for the paint. So much better than carnuba wax that I used on our Corolla. VERY easy to apply and it allows the paint to breathe. Lasted almost 6 months in brutal Florida sunshine before reapplying. (Google search for Klasse products to purchase). ps. Any info on the 04's out there and is the supercharger an option?

tinosasso

should i got for an awd 03 or a base model 04. I wanted black and none of the dealerships around here can find an black 03 fwd with the options i wanted. I can probably pay about 300 more and get an 03 vibe awd instead of a base 04 with the options i want. How bad are the base vibes in the snow. I live in the northeast so we have some bad winters. I know i can buy snow tires but some cars aren't even good with those especially with 205-55-16 tires. What do you think?

kmaurer

I previously owned an '03 Base Vibe (Shadow) which was totaled in an accident. The paint is extremely thin and susceptible to chips (same with my '00 Prizm). I now own a Mazda6--the difference between the paint jobs is like night and day. Absolutely zero chips on the Mazda (90% freeway driving). The paint seems very tough and durable.

I had no problems with the base Vibe in the snow (I live in Utah). I don't think it's worth getting the AWD--the Vibe needs all the horsepower it can get!!

The Pontiac web site now has specs on the '04.

matthew525

No problems with moonroof; we've had some real hot days where I'm sure it was pushing 100 inside. Did you check the rubber parts around the m-roof for melting or raised areas?

ndjaz

Has anyone asked if the abundance of paint chips that the Vibe has, might be covered under its warranty?

CapeCod

This past winter I had a roof leak.
Water was accumulating just over driver's side,
at the top of the windshield support in roof liner.
When you drive water falls onto your leg.
Dealer of course could not find leak source...
Twice this summer I have had same leak form!
Same spot...
Windows were up, moonroof shut tight.
Anyone have a similar problem???

alcan

Sounds like the sunroof front drain hose is split or detached from the sunroof housing.

matthew525

Water finds the smallest holes. I had an moonroof with the same problem and had to replace the rubber molding around the moonroof glass. Fortunately, my 92 Saturn had the option of replacing the molding. Have heard that on some moonroofs, you have to replace the entire assembly (glass, molding, and mounting). As suggested, would also check the drain hose(s) could be up to six of them (clogged, cracked, split, etc). Possible other causes: moonroof deflector mounting (if you have one) or have you had your front windshield replaced?

chesterkulus1

Hi,
  Does anyone know how many grease fittings are underneath the 2004 AWD Vibe? I like to do my own maintenance and knowing how many grease fittings is useful so as I don't miss any of them.
  Also, the sales' brochure for the Vibe claims that the gear lube in the differentials will last for 100,000 miles. Is this merely sales' hype? Or, do the differentials come with synthetic gear lube from the factory? If not, I am thinking of putting in Amsoil synthetic gear lube in both differentials of the AWD Vibe.

Thanks for your help,

Chet Kulus

herzogtum71

This may not be the most appropriate place for this note, but I would like input potentially from both Matrix and Vibe owners.

I was at a Pontiac/Buick dealer last week because my father needed some work done on his car. I took the opportunity to ask about ordering a Vibe roof rack and installing it on a Matrix.

The service department representative told me that the roof rack had to be ordered in several pieces with a different part number for each piece. He thought it should fit a Matrix because it is basically the same car as the Vibe, but this particular dealer does not have a body shop and so it is a job this service representative did not want to tackle.

On the other hand, a salesman told me in no uncertain terms that the Vibe roof rack would not fit the Matrix.

I'd like the permanent roof rack rather than the removable one that Toyota is offering through their parts department at my dealer. Has anyone installed a Vibe roof rack on a Matrix as yet? Even if you haven't installed one, I would appreciate any comments about how feasible it might be.

I guess what I would do is buy the parts, if they are not outrageously expensive, from Pontiac and take them to the body shop at my Toyota dealer for installation. Obviously Toyota and Pontiac are not encouraging people to do this, probably so they don't blur the lines between the two cars.

montanafan

The Vibe rack covers a flat area that includes the body seam. From what I can see in pictures the matrix dosen't have this flat area. Also the Matrix rear hatch is shaped differently then the Vibes and appears to include corner parts. The Vibe hatch goes straight up between the rack ends. I am of the belief that the Vibe rack would not fit the Matrix. This also saves GM the embarresment of you finding out just how expensive all the Vibe rack parts would be.

herzogtum71

This appears to be a rare instance in which a salesman knows what he is talking about

montanafan

He got lucky with a guess.

domimatrix

I got into my car one day and there was a 5 inch crack in the bottom left-hand corner of my windshield on the driver side. Starts from the very edge of the window and extends up towards the center of the windshield. There is absolutely no chips or other damage that could have caused it - the surface of the window is entirely smooth.

The only thing I think could have caused this is that I used the window defrost to defog my windshield the very day before the crack showed up. This was the first time ever that I have defogged the windshield. Outside temperature was moderate around 8 celcius.

I went to my dealer and they had a look at it but called me later to say they would not fix it pro bono. I would like to hear if anyone else has had this problem. My insurance deductible is $300 which I don't want to pay and frankly, this looks to me like a manufacturing defect. I plan on raising a big stink with Toyota to get this fixed.

Anyone else out there with this problem and how did you resolve it?

capitano

Not your same problem, but I did get a rock chip on the day I bought my matrix. My wife's honda got a crack from a rock that hit near the edge. You could have gotten a hit that didn't actually chip the glass. I've never heard of a defroster cracking a windshield.

Insurance companies usually waive their deductable if you have the windshield repaired. The don't want long cracks though. They want the crack to be smaller than a dollar bill.

herzogtum71

We lived in Colorado for 6 years and averaged more than one crack a year. (No law there requiring trucks hauling gravel to cover the load.) Some cracks had no chip even though I know they were caused by a flying pebble. The repair mentioned by capitano is a good alternative, but insurance companies will not approve it if the crack is too long or if the crack is in the driver's line of sight. I hadn't heard about the dollar bill length before; in Canada you'll have to base it on the five dollar bill I suppose....

matthew525

Had a similar problem with my 03 Trix. Only four days after moving from the lot a crack originated on the passenger side - about seven inches long. I determined it was a rock by taking a ball point pen and tracing the crack. If it stops in a hole, something hit your windshield and caused the crack. If not, then it might be a stress fracture; rare but not unheard of. If the later, take it to a windshield repair shop and get a "professional" opinion; and then back to your dealer for restitution.

markrost1

Hi.
Does anyone know where the air bleed bolt is located in the '03 Matrix cooling system?

governator

Hi, I am considering getting a Matrix but was concerned about the Toyota engine sludge problem. Is it a problem with these engine? if not, which engines are effected. I have seen at least one post on a consumer affairs web site saying it happened with a Cammry. I have always used regular oil, has anyone heard if synthetic oil could cure the problem? I am assuming synthetic can take more heat.

capitano

I don't know. I thought the sludge problem was limited to a particular series of V6 engines.

loudog2

synthetic oil reduces sludge in the engine and does not break down like regular oil in extreme heat. so yes this oil would help this problem. it also sticks to parts better than regular oil, which prevent dry starts(less grinding at start-up).

mcdawgg

The sludge "problem" was not with the Matrix (Corolla) engine, and the "problem" was only with very few engines if you extended the oil change intervals too long. Don't worry about it. My in-law has a Camry with one of the so-called problem engines, and has 130,000 plus miles on it with zero problems, no oil consumption.

thel

With about 2500 miles is the crummy latch on the "under-shifter" storage area. Darn thing won't stay closed! >:(

nippononly

avoided using that compartment from day one for this very reason - so many people have indicated that once they started using it, it would never close properly again! :-(

capitano

I have used it with no problem so far, but it is not an every day thing.

Over 8000 miles on my Trix and I have had 2 problems now. I punctured a tire with a screw which caused a slow leak. Got that fixed for $20. And just yesterday when I used the hatch glass to put something in the back, I noticed that the rubber seal has a small tear near the latch.

herzogtum71

I have the opposite problem -- I find it hard to get the thing open. This is my wife's car, and I drive it only once or twice a week. She doesn't use this particular compartment, so it's the perfect place for my glasses case. Once I get the thing open in the first place, I just don't shut it again until I remove my glasses case and am finished driving the Matrix for the day.

matthew525

No problems here...great place to store my sunglasses; use it often.

derosa

My '04 Matrix sunroof leaks. Just happened to have the roof liner open when I spotted the leak during a rain storm.

alfredmi

I have a 2003 Toyota Matrix XRS with 20,000 KM and was experiencing a burning smell from the engine compartment and also a reduction in speed. I took the car into Toyota and they said the Catalytic coverter is defective.

Is there anyone out there with this problem and if you had it fix did it solve the situation?

herzogtum71

was mentioned in earlier posts by a number of people. Is this the smell you are experiencing? If so, do a "search this discussion" in both this discussion and the general "Toyota Matrix" discussion. If I remember correctly, most of the comments came from those with manual transmissions. But I experienced the smell twice in our 2003 AWD with automatic on a 2,000 mile trip when the car was about 4 months old. The dealer couldn't find any problem, and we haven't experienced it since.

alfredmi

Herzogtum71
Thanks...I have an appointment with the Dealer next week to have the Catalytic Converter replace. I will let you know the outcome.

nippononly

had to replace their battery yet? If I do it myself, will I have any issues with radio codes or computer resetting? Or can I just pop the old one out and the new one in as usual?

laurie30

I have have my 2003 Matrix for 15 months now. Last Nov. of 2002 I had a problems with the headlights going on in the middle of the night. Had a new switch installed. Worked ok until Jan 8 2004. Had the same problem and they put in another switch today. Any one else having this problem. I also have a leak in the roof.

nippononly

didn't have that problem with the lights, but heard about it - that was a TSB way back when the Matrix was first introduced. I hope this new switch is your last! To my memory, that sounds wrong though...I don't recall it being a faulty light switch but rather something else...your dealer has checked for TSBs?

The roof is leaking? Do you have the moonroof?

loudog2

just wondering if anybody has installed any K&N products in their matrix. I was looking at the oil filter and air filter. Oil filter is supposed to be one of the top three(behind mobil 1 and amsoil). Does air filter increase hp much or mpg?? I have a 2004 xr awd.

thel

I put a drop-in filter in my Miata (02 w/ VVT), I didn't notice much of a difference performance-wise. Don't buy them for more power, buy them for the filtering ability / reuseability.

I also didn't notice any change in mpg. I even changed the plugs at the time (about 20,000 miles) and saw no difference. The car ran a bit smoother (more likely due to the plugs than the filter), but no real gains in power or mpg.

I ahve no experience with their oil filters, I used the OEM filters for my Miata....heard they were the best.

capitano

I've done 2 oil changes on my trix. On the first I used a mobil 1 filter and K&N on the second. I have not noticed any performance changes after either change. I opted for K&N the second time because it was a little cheaper and it had the nut on top for easy removal.

laurie30

to Nippononly. May I ask what is a TSB? Also I do not have a sun roof. I am one unhappy camper with this car.

nippononly

is a technical service bulletin. This is a bulletin published by Toyota to its dealer network to inform them of a known problem on a given model, and they way to fix it, which is done for free (often without the owner even knowing about it) when the car is serviced.

My question to you: if you do NOT have a sunroof, how is the roof leaking? Could it be the weather-stripping around one of the doors? If so, this should be easy for them to fix, as long as you can tell them where it is. Or they could just turn the hose on your car to see where water is coming in. Please clarify.

laurie30

Water comes in on the front passenger side when we have a heavy rain storm. The first time it happened I thought I left the window open a crack. The second time it happened the windows were closed tight. So I have to leave it there again.

tnlandsailor

I was considering an XRS 6 speed in the near future and was set on a 2003 model to save $$. After reading some of the repair concerns, I am reconsidering. Are any of the problems listed on this thread addressed or fixed on 2004 models, i.e. leaking roofs, catalytic converters, undershifter compartment? I've even heard on other forums that the clutch on the XRS just doesn't cut it. Anybody have any insight here?

thel

I don't think that the 03's have any problems that were addressed by the 04 model. Some of the gripes with the 03's were things like guage readability (somewhat better in 04 but still, not great), and the hp went down in 04 to only 173 due to emmissions laws or something.

My clutch feels pretty weak and it does not like to be ridden in the slightest. The shifter feel is also poor (this from a Honda / Mazda man), but still better than a Subaru for what that's worth.

OEM tires are pretty lousy to. If you want to replace them, count on $500-600 or so for a decent set due to the odd size with the 17" rims.