Page 3 of 5 · complaints 101–150 of 216

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 →

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Dec 2, 2004120,000 milesMI

WHEN SHUTTING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 13, 200458,000 milesMI

BOUGHT AZTEK USED ON 6/2/04 46,000 MILES. ON 11/12/04 WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND SAW ANTI- FREEZE LEAKING FROM ENGINE. IT WAS COMING FROM HEAD GASKET. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Nov 3, 200416,000 milesAZ

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS IF IT WAS FALLING OUT, THE TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER LOST, AND HATCH (REAR) WOULD NOT OPEN. *SC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 3, 200443,130 milesMI

THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SAW FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER HER VEHICLE IN HER DRIVEWAY. SHE SAYS SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, WHO SAID IT WAS HER RADIATOR. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET A SECOND OPINION, THAT MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITIONING, AND THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SHE SAYS HER VEHICLE IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE RUSTING AND MUST BE REPLACED. *JB *SC

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Oct 29, 2004AL

VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER COMPLETELY, AND INDICATING LOSS OF ABS SYSTEM. REPLACING FUSES RETURNED THE CAR TO THE ROAD, BUT HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE MORE WITHIN THE SUBSEQUENT WEEK. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO EVENTUALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM AFTER 3 DAYS. PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS WAS ROUTED IMPROPERLY UNDER THE TOP DRIVER'S SIDE FLEX MOTOR MOUNT. EACH TIME THE MOTOR MOUNT WOULD FLEX UNDER DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE METAL WOULD ERODE THE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING AROUND THE HARNESS AND THE WIRES THEMSELVES. WIRES AND HARNESS WERE REPAIRED AND RE-ROUTED OVER THE MOUNT AND SECURED PROPERLY.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 29, 2004AL

AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. AC CONDENSER WAS REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY REPAIR TECH THAT THERE WAS A BRACKET THAT WAS POORLY MADE, AND THAT BRACKET WOULD PUNCH HOLES IN THE CONDENSER. TECH SAID HE HAD SEEN 3 EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Oct 1, 200478,000 milesTX

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACKED WELD. *AK *NM

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Sep 29, 2004FL

WHIE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THEY GOT STUCK HALF WAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 21, 200470,000 milesNY

MY TRANSMISSION GAVE IN AFTER THREE AND A HALF YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE (PURCHASED APRIL 2001). I BECAME STUCK IN TRAFFIC AS A RESULT. HOWEVER, SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING, THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING SMOOTHLY AT ALL. MY CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF REPAIRS TIME AND TIME AGAIN (OUR DEALER, LASORSA IN THE BRONX, HAS ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE REPAIRS THEY'VE DONE). IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION GAVE IN COMPLETELY, AND NOW THAT MY WARRANTY IS UP, I HAVE TO PAY $2500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR, AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED. OUR SAFETY IS AT STAKE.*AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 21, 2004MA

PROBLEMS REMOVING THE SPARE TIRE OFF OF THE VEHICLE.*MR THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE ALTHOUGH SHE FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS PERFECTLY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THERE IS A STEP MISSING IN THE PROCESS. A TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS ALSO UNABLE TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Sep 18, 200475,000 milesMI

ENGINE BEGAN TO LEAK ANTIFREEZE. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. THE GASKET WAS CRACKED AND DEFECTIVE. THIS HAPPENED AT 80,000 MI. I HAVE THE PARTS.*AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Sep 18, 200475,000 milesMI

AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPRESSOR CASE CRACKED AND LEAKED ALL THE COOLANT.*AK

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Sep 18, 200475,000 milesMI

FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/SHOWED FULL ALL THE TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HAD GONE BAD.*AK

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate › Support Device/Strut
Filed Sep 14, 200417,000 milesAZ

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *AK THE IGNITION WOULDN'T TURN ON, THE REAR HATCH WOULD NOT OPEN, THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HAD BLOWN OUT, THERE WERE NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND THE TIRE EXPLODED. *SC

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 10, 2004TX

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON 7-23-04 AND HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT A TOTAL OF APPROX 2 WEEKS NOW. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE CHANGING GEARS FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND AFTER A COUPLE DAYS OF THIS, IT FINALLY STARTED SLIPPING REAL BAD TAKING OFF FROM A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP 5 TIMES NOW AND THEY ARE NOW GOING TO JUST REPLACE THE UNIT.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Aug 30, 200456,000 milesPA

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 56000 MILES NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS , JUST STARTED MAKING NOISE ALL OF A SDDEN. TOOK IT TO DEALER GOT $3900.00 ESTIMATE FOR TRANSMISSION INTAKE MANIFOLD & DRIVESHAFT. *AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 6, 200447,200 milesIL

A/C CONDENSER HAS A LEAK ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE, BOTTOM CORNER. VEHICLE HAD JUST 47,200 MILES. IT APPEARS THIS IS A FREQUENT FAILURE (6 REPLACEMENTS LISTED NHTSA COMPLAINTS AND 3 WEB SITES WITH OVER 18 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS). ONE SOURCE STATED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE CAUSED BY MANUFACTURE PROCESS IN WHICH INSUFICENT WELD PROCESS WAS USED CAUSING FAILURE DUE TO NORMAL VIBRATION BETWEEN 42,000 AND 60,000 MILES. THIS IS LISTED AS AN ALERT FOR CANADIAN COMSUMERS AS WELL SO I AM SURE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM. *AK

Tires
Filed Aug 5, 2004OK

PURCHASED A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK ON JUNE 19 2004 FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER..ON AUGUST 3 2004 HAD A BLOWOUT AT 65 MPH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE..THE HEADLAMP AND FOG LIGHT HAD COMPLETELY CAME OUT.HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER,,THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY WORN TIRES...WHICH WERE FIRESTONE...STILL AWAITING DEALER TO REMEDY A SITUATION THAT SHOULD NOT OF OCCURRED AFTER ONLY 45 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 28, 200465,500 milesAK

TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING IN TRAFFIC.*AK

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Jul 15, 200440,000 milesMO

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT SIDE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *LA

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jul 10, 200464,000 milesMI

AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER DEVELOPED A HOLE RESULTING IN NEED FOR NEW INSTALLATION. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly
Filed Jul 9, 200439,000 milesCA

SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE SHOP, CAR WOULDN'T START. BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON. THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. IT'S STRANDED ME SEVERAL TIMES. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY AND STARTER, THIS CAR ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 6, 200439,200 milesIL

WHILE TRYING TO CROSS A STOP SIGN CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE GEARS SLAMMED INTO PLACE. BY THE TIME CONSUMER CAME TO THE NEXT INTERSECTION VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. *AK

Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Jun 14, 200422,271 milesWI

FOR PAST YEAR REPORTED INCREASING WIND NOISE COMING FROM DRIVER'S DOOR. LEAD TO UNEVEN GAPS BETWEEN DOOR AND FRAME OF VEHICLE AND CREASING OF EXTERIOR METAL ON DOOR. BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES AND EACH TIME THE HINGES HAVE TO BE RE-ADJUSTED. HINGES TO HOLD DRIVER'S DOOR IS LITERALLY COMING OFF OF FRAME OF VEHICLE. ALSO HAVE CREAKING IN REAR OF VEHICLE THAT WAS LOOKED AT BUT NEVER REPAIRED PROPERLY 3 TIMES. TRANSMISSION CASING CRACKED AND LEAKED CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR OVER 3 WEEKS. STEREO DOES NOT HOLD PRESET STATIONS AND HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE ALREADY, AND REAR HATCH DOES NOT OPEN AND CLOSE PROPERLY. *AK

Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Solenoid
Filed Jun 12, 2004NY

ELECTRICAL AND A/C PROBLEMS:T 40,000 I HAD TO REPLACE THE A/C COMPRESSOR BECAUSE IT HAD A HOLE. I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY.T 83,000, THE HATCH CEASED WORKING, COULDN'T BE OPENED MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THE DRIVER'S SID DOOR LOCK CEASED WORKING ( IPAID TO HAVE THAT FIXED, NOONE COULD DIAGNOSE THE HATCH) AND THE A/C CEASED WORKING. THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS ON. SUDDENLY, THE SECURITY LIGHT CAME ON AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED, THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I PAID THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH ($350). REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT STILL HAD DEAD BATTERY WITHIN A WEEK. REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR BEACAUSE IT REGISTERED A BAD DIODE (($500) BATTERY DEAD THE NEXT DAY. MY MECHANIC TRACED THE PROBLEM TO A SHORT SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSED A 12 VOLT DRAIN ON THE BATTERY. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AT LEAST ANOTHER $1000 TO PINPOINT AND CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE SAVED MY RECEIPTS AND PURCHASED A NEW CAR, NOT A PONTIAC.*AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Jun 8, 200450,000 milesMN

AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER CRACKED JUST AFTER THE 50,000 MILE MARK. THIS CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN CONSERVATIVELY IN NON-EXTREME CONDITIONS WITH REGULAR CHECKUPS. IT CRACKED COMPLETELY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM MYSELF. IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE COLD LEVEL INSIDE WENT FROM COLD TO HOT. THE REPAIR REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CONDENSER WHICH PROVED TO BE VERY COSTLY FOR ME; $850.00. NEITHER THE DEALER OR PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFERED ANY HELP FOR MY SITUATION EVEN THOUGH I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON WITH AZTEKS.*AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 26, 200415,000 milesNY

HAVE HAD ON-GOING ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND A/C EVAPORATOR DRAIN. HAVE HAD THE DRAIN CLEANED TWICE AND REPAIRED ONCE. STILL HAVE WATER DRAINING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HAVE REPLACED BOTH FRONT HUBS, FOUR WIRING HARNESSES, THE FUEL PUMP, THE BATTERY, AND THE BLOWER MOTOR TWICE. MOST OF THESE FAILURES DUE TO CORROSION/MELTING. ANOTHER HARNESS NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *NM

Electrical SystemCrash1 injured
Filed May 26, 2004VA

THIS PONTIAC AZTEK HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS THAT CAUSE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IT OCCURS, EVERYTHING STOPS WORKING INCLUDING THE STEERING, THEREFORE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. WE HAVE BEEN IN 3 NEAR ACCIDENTS SINCE THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM ALWAYS SEEMED TO SHUT DOWN WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. THE RESULT OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE HAS BEEN 3 BURNED OUT FUEL PUMPS (EACH COSTING $700.00 TO REPLACE), AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS NEEDING REPLACEMENT AND CONTINUED ELECTRONIC FAILURES. ALL THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT MY EXPENSE. PONTIAC REFUSES TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE OR EVEN ASSIST WITH FINDING A REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM. *NM

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 16, 200443,000 milesOH

I TOOK MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK IN FOR A/C SERVICE ON 5/11/04 BECAUSE THE AIR EMITTED WAS NOT COOL. THEY RECHARGED THE A/C. LESS THAN 24 HOURS LATER, THE AIR WAS WARM AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE GARAGE WHERE THEY RAN DYE THROUGH THE A/C AND FOUND THE COMPRESSOR NEEDS REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATE OF $1000.00. THEY SAID THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AT 43,000 MILES AND COULD BE A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. I CHECKED SEVERAL VEHICLE INFORMATION SITES ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AT THE SAME MILEAGE, BUT GM WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IS OBVIOUSLY THE FAULT OF THE MANUFACTURER. IT'S A SHAME THAT GM WILL LOSE VALUABLE CUSTOMERS OVER SOMETHING LIKE THIS. *AK

Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior
Filed May 3, 200453,000 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH PASSENGER SIDE EXTERIOR VIEW MIRROR DETACHED AND HIT THE PASSENGER WINDOW. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE WINDOW WOULD BE OPENED IT WOULD HIT HER DAUGHTER'S FACE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 1, 2004NC

AS OF YET DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM BUT I HAVE A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK MADE BY GM I WAS INFORMED OF THE LEAKY GASKET WHEN I WENT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE. THEY QUOTED ME $755.00 TO FIX IT. WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SERVERAL OTHER CASES IN THE AREA GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. AFTER READING ABOUT THE PROBLEM ONLINE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLITY OF IT STALLING OUT IN SOME RANDOM PLACE. I HAVE A 7 MONTH OLD BABY THAT I WANT TO TRY AND PROTECT. PLEASE MAKE GM RESPONSIBLE FOR THERE MISTAKE IN INSTALLING BAD PARTS NOT THE CONSUMERS.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Apr 27, 2004FL

FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS HT TIRES. SIZE P21570R1575 PERFORMED ERRATICALLY. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT STEERING WHEEL SHOOK. HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED THAT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Apr 15, 2004MI

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED WITH THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. CONSUMER STATES,THAT THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK *NM

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System
Filed Apr 12, 200474,000 milesCA

FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING. FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY, AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. *AK

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 30, 200441,000 milesTN

2001 PONTIAC AIR CONDITOR STOP WORKING AT 41,000 TOOK CAR TO DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, WARRANTY WAS UP. I CALLED PONTIAC AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS WITH THE AIR IN THESE VEHICLES. I TALK WITH SOMEONE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AT DOBBS PONTIAC ABOUT THE A\C HE SAID THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE COME IN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE A\C UNIT BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNLESS THE MANUFACTURE HAD DONE SOMETHING WRONG WHEN MAKING THE UNIT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE A\C UNIT AND FOUND OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE 2001 AZTEX A\C. PONTIAC WILL NOT HELP. THEY MAKE THESE VEHICLES AND REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG. IF THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE SAME KIND OF VEHICLE IT MUST BE THE MANUFACTURE DOING SOMETHING WRONG. WHY SHOULD THE PEOPLE WHO ALREADY PAID TOO MUCH FOR VEHICLE HAVE TO AGAIN PAY FOR PONTIAC MISTAKES? PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN DO. IT JUST IS NOT RIGHT. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 22, 200443,000 milesAL

MU AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 43,000 MILES. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE- FIRST SHOOK, MADE GRINDING NOISES, THEN FAILED TO ENGAGE AND DRIVE.*AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Mar 16, 200438,850 milesNM

TOOK MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK IN LAST WEEK 10 MAR 04 WITH A A/C PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS LOW ON FREON AND SERVICED IT BACK UP AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. 5 DAYS LATER TURNED ON THE A/C AND AGAIN NO COLD AIR. TOOK MY AZTEK BACK IN TODAY AND THEY CALLED AND TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A CRACK IN MY CONDENSER ON THE RIGHT SIDE ON THE BOTTOM. LOOK UP ON NHTSA WEB SITE AND FIND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND CALL PONTIAC BUT THEY DON'T HAVE IT ON THEIR SYSTEM SO THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ME. THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS WEBSITE SAYS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I HAVE AND EVEN GIVES NEW INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NEW CONDENSER. WHY HAVE NEW INSTALLATION PROCEDURES? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PROBLEM IF YOU HAVE TO INSTALL IT A NEW WAY BUT PONTIAC WON'T OFFER ANY HELP. IT'S OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFICIENCY AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO CORRECT IT WITHOUT WANTING TO CHARGE ME $1000. THE WAY I'M BEING TREATED I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER OWN ANOTHER GM PRODUCT.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 11, 20048,000 milesMI

8081 MILES: SRS LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. (REFLASH PCM AND BCM) BATTERY GOES DEAD INTERMITTENTLY. (REPLACED BATTERY AND CLEANED TERMINALS) THE BRAKES SQUEAL AND ERRATIC FUEL GAUGE. (NO PROBLEM FOUND AT THAT TIME). *AK 8125 MILES: SES LIGHT ON AGAIN. (CLEANED CORRODED CONNECTORS FOR ABS AND FUEL PUMP) 8155 MILES: SES ON AGAIN. (REPLACED ALL FEMAILE TERMINALS AND CLEARED CODES. DROPPED FUEL TANK TO REPLACE FUEL MODULES, REPLACED ALL TERMINALS AT MODULE. 11541 MILES: AIR BAG LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY (COULD NOT REPRODUCE) TURN SIGNAL FUSE BLOWING REGULARLY (REPLACED NEUTRAL WIRING SAFETY SWITCH, ADJ FOR REVERSE LIGHTS) 12018: TURN SIGNALS BLOWING STILL. (REPLACED FLASHER UNIT) 23968 MILES: RIGHT FROMT WHEEL METAL ON METAL CLICKING NOISE AT ALL SPEEDS (NO PROBLEM FOUND) CHECK LEFT FRONT MASTER WINDOW CONTROL SWITCH FALLEN INTO DOOR (REPLACED SWITCH BEZEL IN DRIVERSIDE) 30233 MILES: METAL ON METAL CLICKING NOISE AGAIN (TURNED AND ROTATED ROTARS) DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STICKS AND STOPS GOING UP OR DOWN. (NOTHING DONE) 33442 MILES: WINDOWS STICK IN UP OR DOWN POSITION AFTER DRIVERS SIDED FAILS TO FUNCTION. (UNABLE TO REPRODUCE) 35875 MILES: POWER WINDOWS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, STICKIN UP OR DOWN POSITION (UNABLE TO REPRODUCE PROBLEM) REAR LIFT GATE NOT FULLY RELEASING (ADJUSTED HATCH BUMPERS AND LUBED LATCHES.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Feb 19, 2004WA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER'S MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM

Wheels
Filed Feb 9, 2004100,000 milesMI

THE VEHICLE HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT AND ON TOP OF REPLACING MANY "MINOR" PARTS AS WELL AS THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER, THE TRANSMISSION AND COMPUTER BOARD, WE HAVE NOW REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS 3 TIMES. AND, WHILE REPLACING THE BEARINGS WE FOUND THAT THE HALF-SHAFT IS BAD AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE BEARINGS WERE ON INDEFINITE BACKORDER, WITH NO DEALER IN THE STATE HAVING ANY. THIS ONCE AGAIN COST US THE USE OF THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THIS CAR IS AWESOME EXCEPT FOR IT'S COMPLETE LACK OF RELIABILITY. I HOPE THEY'VE FIXED THESE PROBLEMS ON LATER MODELS. GM HAS TAKEN NO BLAME FOR ANY PART EVEN THE ONES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER WON'T REPLACE THE REAR LATCH PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING FOR IT. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE BEFORE GM FIGURES OUT THAT SAVING MONEY AT THE COST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION DOES NOT PAY IN THE LONG RUN?

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 21, 200460,000 milesPA

WHEN I PURCHASED MY ASTEK IN JULY 2001, IT WAS BRAND NEW SINCE I HAVE HAD IT I HAVE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS , A WHEEL BEARING HAS WENT OUT, MY ALIGNMENT WAS SET WRONG, I NEEDED TO GET BRAND NEW TIRES, AND MY TRANSMISSION IS NOW OUT AND ITS NOT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO HIGH MILEAGE. I WILL BE INVESTIGATING. AND NOW IT IS SITTING UNTIL I CAN AFFORD $2000.00 FOR A TRANSMISSION OR I CAN GET THIS RESOLVED. *AK

Equipment › Electrical
Filed Jan 15, 200462,200 milesGA

2001 PONTIAC AZTEC,YOU DON'T HAVE LISTING FOR THE VEHICLE... BODY CONTROL MODULE WENT BAD... $ 233.00 PART, REST O $ 650.00 LABOR...

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module
Filed Nov 7, 2003MI

AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR FLASHED THEN IT STAYED ILLUMINATED. ON FEBRUARY 2002 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURRING. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Oct 29, 2003PA

BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, SINCE THEN: HAD TO REPLACE ELECTRICAL "MEMORY" TWICE BECAUSE THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT WOULDN'T RESET AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; THE CONDENSER LEAKED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULDN'T WORK; NOW, MY GAS GAGE GOES UP TO FULL, THEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON, THEN IT RETURNS TO FULL AND VICE VERSA. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR! TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR ON THAT ISSUE TOMORROW. THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS SHAKY - WHENEVER I TRY TO BRAKE, IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES DON'T GRAB PROPERLY AND IT TAKES WAY TOO LONG TO STOP. THEY CHECKED MY BRAKES AND THEY ARE FINE. ALSO HAVING THE DEALER LOOK AT MY TAIL LIGHT COVERS AND ROOF BRAKE LIGHT COVER TOMORROW, THEY ARE DISCOLORED AS IF ACID IS EATING AWAY THE TOP PART OF THE COVER. LASTLY, THE "K" PART OF THE "AZTEC" ON THE BACK WINDOW BROKE OFF WHILE WASHING THE CAR! AND I ONLY USE A SPONGE!*AK

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Oct 23, 200368,200 milesMN

CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED, UPON APPROACHING STOP SIGN THE BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN NEAR COLLISION WITH SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER. THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INSTRUCTED US TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO BE FILLED WITH WATER AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONTROLLING THE ABS, BRAKE SENSOR, FUEL GAUGE, AND FUEL SENDER WAS CORRODED. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Oct 23, 200342,000 milesMN

UPON STARTING WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD, VEHICLE MADE LOUD CLUNKING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, DEALERSHIP CALLED. WE WERE TOLD TO DRIVE CAR TO DEALER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THE INCORRECT PISTON ROD PINS CAUSING THEM TO NOT BE LUBRICATED. ENGINE WAS REPLACED. *LA

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Oct 14, 2003WI

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN BECAUSE A LIGHT WAS ON, RESULTING IN A SHORT AND NO LIGHTS ON AT ALL. *AK

Suspension
Filed Oct 6, 2003NC

WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2001 AZTEK IN SEPTEMBER 2001, I WAS TOLD BY THE SALESPERSON THAT IT WOULD BE A DEPENDABLE DURABLE CAR. IT HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT. WILL NOT KEEP ALIGNMENT SO THE TIRES HAVE WORN PREMATURELY. THE SEAL AROUND THE PASSENGER DOOR LEAKED CAUSING CARPET DAMAGE WHICH WAS NOT REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER HAD A CRACK AND ONE WEEK AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE CAR RAN HOT. LUCKILY, ALL OF THIS HAPPENED UNDER WARRANTY. ONE WEEK AFTER THE CONDENSER WAS REPLACED, THE CAR RAN HOT. ONE WEEK AFTER THE INTAKE WAS FIXED, IT RAN HOT AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADDED COOLANT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE SAME DAY IT RAN HOT AGAIN (SATURDAY). I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN ON MONDAY MORNING AT 35,946 MILES. THEY DROVE THE CAR 33 MILES TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD GET HOT. IT WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH 35,979 MILES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD BRAKE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THERE IS A TICKING NOISE UNDERNEATH IN FRONT AND BACK, AND THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE ON THE ROAD. OVERALL I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE CAR AND WOULD LIKE FOR THE DEALER TO BUY THE CAR BACK AT FULL PURCHASE PRICE. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Sep 12, 200348,400 milesPA

2001 PONTIAC AZTEC LEAKING FUEL FROM SEAM OF GAS TANK, FIRST NOTICED ON 9/7/03. BROUGHT TO DAVIS PONTIAC DEALER IN RICHBORO PA (WHERE I BOUGHT THE AUTO ON APRIL 14, 2001) INFORMED ME THAT SINCE I HAVE 48,400 MILES ON THE CAR IT WILL COST ME 675 FOR THE TANK REPLACEMENT, 100 FOR OVERNIGHT SHIPMENT. I FEEL THAT THE TANK SHOULD NEVER LEAK DURING THE LIFE OF THE AUTOMOBILE, AND THAT SINCE SHODDY CONSTRUCTION WAS USED IN MANUFACTURING OF THE CAR, I SHOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. FUEL LEAKING IS A SERIOUS HAZARD, ENVIRONMENTALLY, SOCIALLY, AND CONCERNING SAFETY. *PH

Electrical System › Wiring › Interior/Under Dash
Filed Sep 11, 200354,000 milesFL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS CONTINUOUSLY GOING OUT. DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF THE SPEED DUE TO ODOMETER NOT FUNCTIONING, NOR HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE GAS TANK DUE TO FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. *AK

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 →