Pontiac Vibe part of Toyota recall
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Yesterday, Toyota said it would recall 2.3 million vehicles, including 2009-10 Matrixes, because of a faulty pedal design. That number included some 2009-10 Pontiac Vibes, GM spokesman Alan Adler said today, but GM doesn’t know how many yet. The automaker only found out about the recall seven minutes before Toyota notified the U.S. government, he said.
Toyota engineered and built the Vibes, Adler said. The vehicle was built in Fremont, Calif., in a joint venture between GM and Toyota.
“All of it sort of rests back with Toyota, except that it’s badged as a Pontiac,” Adler said. “It’s Toyota’s recall.”
GM pulled out of the joint venture, called New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., as part of its bankruptcy last year. Once GM gets more details from Toyota on how many Vibes are in the recall and how to fix them, the Detroit automaker will notify customers about fixing the problem at Buick-GMC dealerships, Adler said. GM is phasing out the Pontiac brand.
“We didn’t manufacture it, but we sell it, so we have a responsibility to make sure that Pontiac customers are taken care of,” he said.
GM hasn’t received any complaints from customers about Vibe pedals sticking, Adler said.
The Vibe was also part of Toyota’s recall in August of 95,700 Toyota vehicles, including 2009 and 2010 Matrixes. The cars’ brakes could collect ice in cold temperatures, making it harder for drivers to slow down.
Reuters contributed to this report
