TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OR GREATER, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE ACCELERATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A MAP SENSOR. THE MAP SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE AIR VENTS WERE DISCONNECTED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
2001 Pontiac Aztek complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AFTER SHE FILLED THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER FOUND NO VISIBLE HOLE IN THE TANK, BUT THEY REPLACED THE TANK. APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK FOR THE SECOND TIME. ONE WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL # 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES), HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE PART STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 69,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS ELECTRICAL. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 72,000. UPDATED 08/14/07. *JB
IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR THIS 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK FAILED AN EMISSION TEST. NOTED A FUEL SMELL ON AND AROUND THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE TEST AS WELL AS WHAT APPEARED TO BE FUEL ON MY DRIVEWAY AND TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GOODYEAR REPAIR FACILITY TO INVESTIGATE. THEY FOUND NO CODE IN THE SYSTEM.TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE EMISSION TEST AND FAILED. THE CODE THAT CAME UP AT THE OHIO E-CHECK FACILITY WAS A "GAS CAP PRESSURIZATION" FAILURE. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON JUNE 12, AND THAT FIRST TEST DATE WAS THEREABOUT. I WENT AND PURCHASED A NEW GAS CAP, THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I PASSED THE TEST SECOND TIME AROUND. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SEVICE ENGINE LIGHT REAPPEARED. TOOK IT BACK TO THE GOODYEAR ON JUNE 29TH. THE CODE THEY FOUND WAS A P0440, STATING A LARGE EVAP LEAK. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE LEAK WAS AT THE TANK FILLER NECK CONNECTION AND WAS SPLIT AT THE SEAM. IT CAME APART BY HAND AND IT WAS STARTING TO ROT AND HAD INDICATION OF STRESS. (IT WAS A PLASTIC CONNECTION PIECE) THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT INCLUDING THE TANK, FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL FILLER NECK COSTING US THE TOTAL OF $1, 927.17
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT SMELLED GAS, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TANK NECK. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
IT ALL STARTED WITH MY LIGHTS NOT TURNING OFF AT NIGHT. I WOULD HAVE TO DISCONNECT MY BATTERY TO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF. THEN THE CHIMES WOULD NOT GO OFF. DISCONNECT BATTERY AGAIN. WAS TOLD TO REPLACE KEY FOB BATTERY. A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, DOOR LOCKS, GAUGES, ALL DASH LIGHTS, HORN, HEADLIGHTS, WENT CRAZY DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 7 YEAR OLD SON WITH ME. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO 7 OR 8 PLACES INCLUDING THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP AND NOONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO. NOONE!!! MY HORN WOULD BLOW INTERMITTENTLY SITTING AT A REDLIGHT ONE DAY, WITH TWO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME THOUGHT I WAS BLOWING AT THEM BECAUSE THE LIGHT HAD CHANGED AND STARTED TO GO, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM WAS STILL STOPPED. THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CLOSEST I GOT TO A DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SECURITY SYSTEM SOMEHOW. I JUST DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.AD
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING WHERE THE FUEL TAKE INLET VALVE ATTACHES TO THE GAS TANK. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS RECALL # 03V454000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE) FOR THE 2004 MODEL. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
2001 PONTIAC AZTEC, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN EARLY APRIL 2007. I TOOK CAR TO AMERICAN CHEVROLET IN DANVILLE, IL FOR SERVICE. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED ME THAT THE CODE INDICATED A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND A PRESSURE CHECK OF THE SYSTEM REVEALED A DEFECTIVE GAS CAP. I BELIEVE THE COST TO READ THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE WAS $79. I HAD THEM ORDER THE GAS CAP AND WAS TO RETURN IN 2 DAYS TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. THE NEXT TIME I FILLED THE TANK,( ABOUT 2 DAYS LATER), THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE UNDER THE CAR. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND INFORMED THEM OF THIS DEVELOPMENT. THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS NOW LEAKING AT THE FILLER INLET PIPE IN THE LOWER PART OF THE FUEL TANK. I VIEWED THE CAR AND SAW GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM THE FILLER INLET PIPE. THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW FUEL TANK. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECH IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE AZTEK MODEL. THE TECH STATED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WITH ANY FUEL TANK. THEIR REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR NEW PARTS AND LABOR WAS ABOUT $1000. I TOLD THE SERVICE TECH THAT I COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME. THEN THEY OFFERED TO INSTALL A USED TANK AT A COST OF ABOUT $400-$500 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO INSTALL THE USED TANK, BUT LATER CANCELLED IT WHEN I STARTED INVESTIGATING PROBLEMS WITH AZTEK FUEL TANKS. THE FUEL TANK IS STILL LEAKING AND ERODING THE ASPHALT ON MY DRIVEWAY WHERE I PARK MY CAR. I NEE
LAST FALL , 2006, HEATER WASN'T WORKING. TAKING THE RADIATOR CAP OFF, FOUND HEAVY ACCUMULATION OF GUNK INSIDE RADIATOR. MECHANIC ADVISED THAT I HAVE THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED. HAD THAT DONE;. WAS NOT TOLD AT THAT TIME WHAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN. ALL SEEMED OKAY UNTIL ABOUT MARCH OF 2007, HEATER STOPPED WORKING AGAIN AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP THIS TIME, FOR OIL CHANGE AND CHECK UP. THEY CHANGED THE OIL, DID SOME ADJUSTMENTS TO COMPUTERS ,WHICH COST ME OVER $200 , AND SAID THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS LEAKING AND WANTED $913.00 TO FIX THAT. AFTER FEELING VERY ILL FROM THIS NEWS I TOLD THEM, I DID NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AT THIS TIME. IT TOOK EVERYTHING I HAD TO GET THE COMPUTERS ADJUSTED. TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC TO GET AN ESTIMATE ON GETTING THE LOWER MANIFOLD REPAIRED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 79,000 MILES ON IT WITH AS MUCH GUNK"INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND IN AS BAD A SHAPE AS THIS ONE WAS IN. THEY WERE NOT EQUIPPED TO MAKE THE REPAIR, SO I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SAVING MY MONEY AND TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE THAT CAN FIX IT FOR LESS THAN THE DEALERSHIP, OR GET THE MONEY TO TAKE IT BACK TO THEM. AM BORROWING VEHICLES FROM MY CHILDREN TILL THEN. AFTER READING COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE, I FIND THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON COMPLAINT OR PROBLEM. I HAD PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, 5 YEARS OR 75000 MILES), FOR MY VEHICLE SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED IT NEW, AND THAT WAS GOOD UNTIL JUNE OF 2006, BEFO
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO BE SERVICED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEX COOLANT USED IN HER VEHICLE CAUSED THE HEAD GASKET TO DETERIORATE. THE CONTACT THEN CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS.*AK UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT DEFECTIVE AND THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE, AND WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OF THIS POSSIBLY HAPPENING AGAIN. THE LIGHTS, DOORS AND WINDOWS FAILED ON A REGULAR BASIS. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB
AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES MY FUEL GAUGE BECAME UNRELIABLE. ONCE THE FUEL LEVEL WOULD GET BELOW HALF A TANK, THE GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD START BOUNCING AROUND. IT WOULD GO FROM HALF A TANK TO A FULL TANK TO AN EMPTY TANK EVEN SETTING OFF THE FUEL LIGHT. I DEALT WITH THIS FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND THEN IT QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER. NOW THE NEEDLE NEVER DROPS BELOW 3/4 OF A TANK. *JB
AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE. HAD TO REPLACE CONDENSER BECAUSE OF FAULTY BRACKET. *NM
FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING,COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS. DEALER SAID FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT. NOTICE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE AT 50,000 MILES. ALSO AC ALSO WENT OUT AT 50,000 DEFECTED BRACKET GM WILL NOT BACK UP. *NM
MY PONTIAC AZTEC MAIN POWER CONTROL MODULE (A COMPUTER UNIT CONTROLLING EVERY ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE CAR INCLUDING STARTING THE CAR,CAR KEYS FUNCTION,WORKING EVERY CAR LIGHTS,OPENING DOORS,CONTROLLING BATTERY OUTPUT,SECURITY SYSTEM, AMONG OTHERS), WAS DEFECTIVE, DEAD, AND OUT OF ORDER .THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WERE SOME WEAK CLICKS YOU CAN HARDLY HEAR AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS COMING FROM WHEN YOU STOP THE CAR AND THEN IT DIES OUT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE C.D. PLAYER WAS EJECTING C.D. WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED MY SUV WAS LIKE A DEAD MOUNTAIN, I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPEN ONE MORNING WHILE THE CAR WAS AT A STAND STILL. YOU PUT THE CAR KEY TO START IT AND IT GETS STUCK! YOU TRY TO JUMP STARTED BUT IT IS NOT THE BATTERY. YOU CANT DO NOTHING TO IT. PLUS, ALTHOUGH ITS AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM,OR CAR PART, ONLY THE DEALER CAN FIX IT AND NOBODY ELSE. SO AFTER YOU TOW IT TO THEM YOU ARE UNDER THEIR MERCY TO TELL YOU WHATEVER THEY LIKE TO TELL FOR HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO BE FIXED, AND WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED, IT IS LIKE A MONOPOLY, AND IT IS NOT FAIR. WHAT IF THAT MODULE DIES WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY? AND WHAT IF IT DIES WHILE DOORS ARE LOOKED, YOU ARE DRIVING, IT LOOKS THE DRIVER IN INSIDE THE CAR, AND YOU CANT GET OUT WHILE IT IS MOVING FROM WHAT EVER CHARGE LEFT? IT IS REALLY A SCARY FEELING? AND VERY EMOTIONALLY STRESSFUL WHEN I AM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO START IT. BUT I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPENED IN MY HOME GARAGE! PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND LET
I HAVE A 2001 AZTEC PONTIAC. DURING A ROUTINE VISIT IN A CAR SHOP, THEY TOLD ME MY CAR HAS AN INTAKE GASKET LEAK AND THEY CANNOT REPAIR IT. THEY SUGGESTED ME TO SEE GM IN DIRECT AND FIND A DEAL WITH THEM. HOW CAN IT BE POSSIBLE SINCE MY CAR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ?*JB
AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER WAS REPLACED IN SUMMER OF 2003 AND AGAIN IN 2005. MECHANIC SAID THAT BOTH INCIDENTS WERE DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING (BRACKET). THE BRACKET SOMEHOW CAUSES A HOLE IN THE CONDENSER IN THE SAME PLACE. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD CONDENSERS FOR PROOF. THERE IS NOTHING THE MECHANIC CAN DO TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *NM
2001 AZTEK PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE PARKED. *TS ***NAR*** THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG, LEFT THE CONSUMERS FIANCE AND TWO CHILDREN WITH TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS. *JB
AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. AC CONDENSER WAS REPLACED. REPAIR TECH SAID THAT THERE WAS A BRACKET THAT WAS POORLY MADE, AND THAT BRACKET WOULD PUNCH HOLES IN THE CONDENSER. TECH SAID THE PARTS SUPPLIER HAD SOLD OVER 200 CONDENSERS IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS. REPAIR TECH HAD FIXED 3 EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. *JB
2001 PONTIAC AZTEK LEAKED GAS DUE TO A FAULTY GAS TANK. *TS WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS FUMES. THE FUMES WERE BAD ENOUGH TO BURN THE OCCUPANTS EYES AND THROAT. THE CONSUMER HAD TO CRACK THE WINDOWS TO GET RELIEF. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE CONSUMER STILL SMELLED GAS. HE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICE A PUDDLE OF GAS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE SEAM IN THE GAS TANK WERE FAULTY. *NM
BOUGHT 2001 AZTEC BECAUSE I HAD ALWAYS LIKED THE DESIGN. HAD CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS AND BRAKES WERE SQUEALING. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED CLEANING. DIDN'T HELP. TOOK BACK AND THEN THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE PADS,WHICH THEY SAID WEREN'T ORIGINAL GM PADS(EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE INSPECTED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT) AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THAT WASN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. TOOK IT 2 SERVICE CENTER OUTSIDE OF DEALERSHIP AND BRAKE PADS WERE FINE JUST EMITTED A LOT OF BRAKE DUST THEY BOTH SAID. HEAD LIGHTS SOMEWHAT FLICKER WHEN DRIVING. DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT ON TEMP WENT OUT. ON TAILLIGHTS THE FINISH IS COMING OFF(A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES BEING CHEAP GRADE PLASTIC). THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AND THE ENTIRE UNIT FELL THROUGH AND HAD TO GET INSIDE OF DOOR TO PUSH IT BACK THROUGH TO GET WINDOW UP BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING(ANOTHER PROBLEM A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE).IT SEEMS THESE VEHICLES HAVE DEFECTIVE GAS GAUGES. MINE WENT OUT AFTER MARATHON GAS HAD BAD GAS AND THE COMPANY HAD TO REPLACE EVERYONE'S SENSORS. I DON'T THINK IT WAS THE GAS. THE GAS GAUGE ALWAYS MOVES UP AND DOWN STILL AND WHEN IDLING GOES DOWN. THE SES LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR TEMP GOES OUT. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE COMP SAID TEMP CONTROL MODULATOR PLUG WAS DIRTY. HAD PLUG CLEANED AND REMEDIED PROBLEM. 2 WEEKS LATER THE SAME HAPPENED AGAIN AND 5 MIN AFTER THE SES LIGHT CAME ON THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. NOW BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON AND THIS VEHICLE N
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHEN MY WIFE DROVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS A LOAD SOUND CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ERRATICALLY. SHE PUSHED THE ONSTAR BUTTON AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD TO REBUILD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION AND EVEN SERVICE SOME PARTS FOR THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES, THIS IS NOT NORMAL! *NM
CONDENSER BROKE FOR AIR CONDITIONER. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON JUST ABOUT EVERY AZTEK! *NM
WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THING GO WRONG WITH OUR 2001 AZTEK WE PURCHASED UNDER 40,000 MILES, NOW HAS ABOUT 60, 000- THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED- MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY HAD TO HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT FROM MANUFACTURER, AS HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THAT BAD IN A CAR OF THAT AGE- AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT WORKING- WENT ON THE WEB, AND IT LOOKS LIKE MANY OWNERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS DUE TO CRACKED/LEAKING COMPRESSORS- ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED- NEEDLE IS VERY SPORADIC, AND YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE- THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM- HAD INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AS WELL- THIS WAS THE ONLY THING FIXED BY PONTIAC- I RECENTLY CONTACTED PONTIAC, WHO WAS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ISSUES. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. FIVE MONTHS AGO THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT REPLACED TWO OXYGEN SENSORS; ONE IN MAY 2005, AND ONE IN AUGUST 2005. THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO AUTO ZONE TODAY AND THEIR COMPUTER SHOWED HER THAT SHE NEEDED ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD GONE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE ONLY THING SHOWING UP WAS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR. *AK
I BOUGHT A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE GAS GAUGE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. THE GAUGE SAYS THE TANK IS FULL WHEN IT'S EMPTY AND VISE VERSA. IT GOES UP AND DOWN CONTINUALLY. MY DAD HAS A 2001 GM VEHICLE ALSO AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
PURCHASED MY 2001 AZTEK IN OCTOBER 2000. EVERY YEAR (WINTER) SINCE 2001, I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BECAUSE I LOSE MY TRACTION CONTROL WHICH AUTOMATICALLY TAKES OUT MY ABS BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, CONSIDERING WHERE I LIVE. THERE ARE 5 INCIDENT DATES, THUS FAR. *JB
THE FUEL TANK OF MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK BEGAN TO LEAK AT THE NECK(OF THE TANK). AT MY DEALERSHIP (MARIETTA GMC, PONTIAC) I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROCEDURE WAS TO REPLACE THE TANK AT A COST OF $ 950.00 TO ME. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED VIA RECALL. IF MY HOME HAD GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS OR FURNACES IN THE GARAGE I MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS LETTER, BECAUSE THE FIRST INDICATION I HAD OF THIS PROBLEM WAS WITH THE LEAKAGE INSIDE MY GARAGE, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. CLEARLY THIS IS A FAILURE OF MATERIALS AS THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ABUSE TO THE TANK IN ANY MANNER. *NM
CONSUMER IS INQUIRING ABOUT ANY RECALLS LISTED FOR THE 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK AND THE 2000 FORD FOCUS.*MR *JB
2001 AZTEK WITH 85,000 KMS THE TRANSMISSION BLEW UP. ACCELERATED AT HIGHWAY ON RAMP, LOUD BANG THEN NO GEARS. NO PARK, NO REVERSE. TRANSMISSION TOTALLY REBUILT BY REPUTABLE MECHANIC, COST $3000 TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT GM USING POOR QUALITY PARTS, NOT BUILT TO LAST AND THEREFORE TRANSMISSION FAILS AND NOT BUILT TO LAST. *NM
LOST BRAKES AND ENGINE FIRE ENSUED. DEALER SAID BRAKE LINE BROKE ,UNKNOWN CAUSE. *NM
DT: THE CAR IS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS, AND THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN FIXING THE BRAKES EVERY SINCE SHE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR SHE OWNED THE CAR. THE CAR WAS HAVING SENSOR PROBLEMS. IN ORDER FOR THE CONSUMER TO GET HER STICKER FOR THE YEAR, HER CAR HAD TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. THE PLACE WHERE CONSUMER BOUGHT HER CAR IS COMMITTING FRAUD. THEY DIDN'T DO A THOROUGH CHECK ON CONSUMER'S CAR BEFORE SHE BOUGHT IT. THERE IS RUST UNDERNEATH HER HOOD. *TT
AC STOPPED WORKING AND HAD TO HAVE THE CONDENSER REPLACED FOR $885.00 WITH JUST OVER 40,000 MILES. WAS TOLD BY PERSONAL MECHANIC THAT MINE WAS THE 4TH AZTEK HE HAD SEEN IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. HE SAID ALL THAT HE HAD SEEN HAD HOLES IN THE SAME PLACE ON LOWER RIGHT WHERE IT IS CONNECTED AND SUGGESTED I CALL THE DEALERTO FIND OUT IF GM WAS GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIER CUSTOMERS - THEY WON'T.
DT: INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. DEALER SAYS THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IS DEFECTIVE. DEALER SAYS MOISTURE GETS UNDER FLOOR MATS AND GETS INTO WIRES OF AIR BAGS. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY WOULD PAY HALF TO GET IT FIXED. HAS NOT HAD PROBLEM FIXED YET. CONSUMER THINKS IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND HAS CONCERNS FOR HIS PASSENGERS SAFETY OR SAFETY TO OTHERS. *NM *SB
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. HE SAYS THAT HE IS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING HIS SEAT BELT TO LATCH. *TT *EH
ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL FEATURES HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY; ABS COMES ON AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND SOMETIMES THE SYSTEM JUST SHUTS ITSELF OFF. DEALER AND MY REGULAR MECHANICS HAVE DEALT WITH THIS FROM 2001 WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR (A DEMO) FROM THE DEALER (9,152 MILES) UP TO NOW (2005, 56,925 MILES). I HAVE SPENT A SMALL FORTUNE HAVING THIS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED, AND PONTIAC HAS TOLD ME IT IS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD ALL THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, HUB ASSEMBLIES, PIGTALES AND HARNESSES REPLACED MORE THAN ONCE; I HAVE NEW BRAKES; I HAVE NEW FRONT STRUTS (MONROE); I HAVE NO PATIENCE.
LTR FM OWNER OF A PONTIAC AZTEK QUESTIONING WHY THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED 50,000 MILES.*MR *NM
I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALERSHIP(BUICK,PONTIAC,GMC) IN DUBLIN AFTER MY ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE INTAKE VALVE SEAL IS LEAKING COOLANT. MY QUERY IS THIS A DEFECT BY THE MANUFACTUER? *AK
FRONT HUBS (BEARINGS) WEARING OUT. 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. CURRENTLY INSTALLING THE 4TH AND 5TH NEW BEARINGS ON VEHICLE. ONLY 60,000 MILES. TECHNICIAN SAYS THAT BEARING FAILURE COULD RESULT IN FRONT TIRE & RIM BREAKING AWAY FROM VEHICLE. *AK
ON MAY 28, 2004 I TOOK MY 2001 AZTEK TO DEALER TO SEE WHY MY AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT BLOW COLD AIR THEY FOUND LEAK IN RIGHT LOWER CORNER OF CONDENSER, $845 PLUS TAX I DECLINED THE REPAIRS BUT STILL COST ME $75.00 JUST TO CHECK. I ASKED AT A REGULAR CAR REPAIR PLACE AND THEY TRIED TO GET A NEW CONDENSER BUT WAS TOLD THIS WAS A DEFECT AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX. THIS WAS AT 75,174 MILES. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. VERY FEW PROBLEMS OTHER THAN THIS. I AM NOW AT 97,000 AND STILL NO AIR. WHY FIX IF IT WILL DO IT AGAIN.*AK
2001 PONTIAC AZTEC FRONT SEATS HAS A SHARP PIECE OF THE SEATS FRAME STICKING THROUGH.*MR THE FINISH ON THE TAIL LIGHTS PEELED OFF. *NM
THE ODOMETER LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK...CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT NOT HAVING ODOMETER VISIBLE IS A SAFETY VIOLATION, AN DPONTIAC SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, WHICH THEY REFUSED. *AK
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED ON MY WAY TO WORK. AFTER PUTTING MY VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL REVVING AT 2500 RPMS. AGAIN, ON MY WAY HOME, I AGAIN NOTICED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. MY VEHICLE WOULD INCREASE IN SPEED ON ITS OWN AFTER RELEASING MY FOOT OFF OF THE BREAK PEDAL. I DID NOT NEED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL AT ALL. I TRAVEL AN HOUR TO WORK, AND HAD TO RIDE MY BRAKE MOST OF THE WAY HOME. AFTER REACHING MY DRIVEWAY, BEFORE TURNING THE IGNITION OFF, I HAD MY HUSBAND COME AND WITNESS THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE AGAIN IN PARK, WAS REVVING AT 3000 RPM'S. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT EVENING. THEY LOOKED AT IT THE NEXT DAY AND TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY STATED THEY COMPLETED A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS FINE. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, MY BRAKES WILL NOT HOLD AND THEREFORE AN ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR. *NM
COOLANT LEAK ON PONTIAC 2001 AZTEK. THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED. I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT COULD HAVE SEIZED THE ENGINE WITH OUT WARNING. THE LOW COOLANT WARNING NEVER CAME ON EVEN AFTER I WAS ONE GALLON LOW. DEALER REPLACED GASKET FOR COST OF $730. PONTIAC WOULD NOT HELP WITH PRICING. I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND A TSB ON THE GASKET WHERE GM/PONTIAC AKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM. I AM ALSO A MEMBER OF AZTEKFANCLUB.COM AND OTHER MEMEBERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE HAD PONTIAC HELP COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR.*AK
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER HEARD A SHATTERING NOISE, THEN THE MOTOR BLEW. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A WIRE ON THE ELECTRONIC SENSOR ATTACHMENT TO THE WHEEL HUB WORE OUT. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ENGINE. *JB
FAILURE OF UPPER AND LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS ON GM MANUFACTURED 3.4L V6 ENGINE. GASKETS REPLACED AT EXPENSE OF OWNER.*AK
I LOST HEAT IN MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK, BROUGHT TO REPAIR SHOP, LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS THE CAUSE. THEY SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, GM HAS NEW SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT AND NEW DESIGN. COST TO REPAIR 794.00 CAR HAS 43203 MILES. CALLED GM AND THEY WILL NOT HELP, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW ITS A BAD GASKET DESIGN ON AND AFFECTING ABOUT EVERY GM VEHICLE WITH THE 3.4L V^ ENGINE. I PURCHASED NEW AND EXPECT GM TO COVER THESE COSTS. AND AM CURIOUS WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED?*JB
I PURCHASED MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK IN NOVEMBER OF 2003. SINCE THEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAKING GASKET REQUIRING A REPAIR OF $750, WHICH I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED IS NOT AN USUAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SOME VERY ODD THINGS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE: 1.WHEN ON AN INCLINE, ONCE I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTS TO ROLL BACK, WHICH RISKS ME STRIKING ANYTHING BEHIND ME. THIS REQUIRES ME TO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE GAS AND SIMULTANEOUSLY LIFT OFF THE BRAKE AS I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 2.WHEN ON A LEVEL SURFACE AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN PRIOR TO APPLYING GAS. 3.STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST WIND, AND OFTEN FEELS LIKE IT WILL VEER OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS TO THAT EXTENT IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED, INCLUDING MINI VANS, FULL SIZE VANS, CARS OR TRUCKS. 4.VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT BURNING SMELL AS YET UNABLE TO BE IDENTIFIED BY A MECHANIC, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HYPOTHESISED THAT IT MIGHT BE THE RESULT OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR BEING LOWER TO THE GROUND IN SOME AREAS AND MORE PRONE TO CATCH DEBRIS ON THE ROAD, FOR EXAMPLE PLASTIC BAGS, WHICH THEN STICK AND MELT TO IT.
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek → · Every Aztek year → · How the figures are calculated →