Recall 10V018 affects 70,806 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles for an accelerator-pedal friction defect. Repair is free at any franchised Pontiac dealer.
Pontiac recall 10V018 covers 70,806 2009-2010 Vibe vehicles because condensation inside a cold accelerator pedal sensor assembly can make the pedal harder to press, slower to return, or stuck partly depressed. That condition increases crash risk, and the Pontiac dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The accelerator pedal sensor assembly on 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles reads pedal movement and sends that input to the engine control system. When you press the accelerator, the pedal should move smoothly, then return on its own when your foot comes off. Inside the assembly, a friction lever slides across a surface as the pedal moves.
On affected Vibe vehicles, that lever can polish the sliding surface smooth during normal driving. When the pedal assembly is cold and the heater runs without A/C, condensation can form on that surface. Moisture on the smoothed surface raises friction inside the pedal assembly. The pedal can feel harder to press, return more slowly, or become mechanically stuck in a partially depressed position.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices can be the pedal feeling stiff, slow to return, or not returning normally after acceleration.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2009 and 2010 model years, with the same accelerator pedal component listed for each.
| 2009 Pontiac Vibe | Accelerator pedal |
|---|---|
| 2010 Pontiac Vibe | Accelerator pedal |
| Units affected | 70,806 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
A sticky accelerator pedal can become hard to press, slow to return to idle, or stuck partly down, increasing crash risk. If the pedal does not move normally, ease off safely, pull over, and call a dealer before driving farther. Repair will be free at any franchised Pontiac dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe is included in this recall.
- Review any Pontiac owner letter mailed after February 16, 2010 before arranging service.
- Ask a franchised Pontiac dealer about the free accelerator-pedal reinforcement bar, which helps the pedal operate smoothly instead of becoming hard to depress, slow to return, or stuck.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 10V018 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and stop driving if the accelerator pedal is hard to press, slow to return, or stuck.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Pontiac technician will install a reinforcement bar inside the accelerator pedal assembly. The added bar is designed to keep the pedal operating smoothly instead of becoming harder to press, slow to return, or stuck partly depressed. Because the repair status is not listed as available, confirm availability with a Pontiac dealer before planning the visit. Once the repair is open for your VIN, the dealer work is free under the recall.
Timeline
| January 21, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 16, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V018?
Recall 10V018 covers 70,806 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe vehicles with an accelerator pedal sensor assembly defect. Condensation and pedal wear can make the pedal hard to depress, slow to return, or stuck partly down, increasing crash risk. Dealers install a reinforcement bar for free.
What should I do if my 2009-2010 Pontiac Vibe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Vibe is included in recall 10V018. If it is, contact a franchised Pontiac service desk to schedule the accelerator pedal reinforcement repair. Reference recall 10V018 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the safety defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will install the accelerator pedal reinforcement bar free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included VINs.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a hard, slow-return, or stuck accelerator pedal. In the worst case, the pedal can remain partly depressed and increase crash risk. If the pedal does not return normally, pull over when safe and call the dealer service desk before driving farther.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for an accelerator pedal that feels harder to press, returns slowly toward idle, or stays partly depressed after you lift your foot. Those symptoms match the defect described in recall 10V018. Confirm your VIN and arrange the free dealer repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V018000 |
|---|---|
| Pontiac customer service | 1-800-620-7668 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V018 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V018000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 4, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →