TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THREE WEEKS LATER, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED HER THAT SHE WAS SENT THE NOTICE IN ERROR; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE PROBLEM WAS ALEAKING FULE LINE GOING INTO THE FUEL FILTER. UPDATED 07/15/08.
2003 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 2003 record →
1)WHEN I REMOVED GAS CAP TO FILL TANK WITH GAS, I HEARD A HISSING SOUND COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK. WHEN TRYING TO FILL TANK WITH GAS, HOSE KEPT CLICKING OFF AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PUT GAS IN THE TANK. I WENT TO A DIFFERENT GAS STATION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE SINCE BEEN UNABLE TO USE THE CAR AS I CAN NOT FILL THE TANK. 2)THIS SECOND PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED OUT EACH TIME AND THE MECHANICS ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY COSTLY. FURTHER MORE, THE VEHICLE CAN'T PASS INSPECTION WITH THAT LIGHT ON. 3) THIS THIRD PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN ONGOING. I HAVE TO REPLACE MY BRAKES AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. THEY WEAR DOWN QUICKLY AND MAKE AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE. THE MECHANICS CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE REASON FOR THIS EITHER. EXCEPT TO TELL ME THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE. 4)IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO, WHEN I MAKE A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. MY TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS ARE ALWAYS GOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. 5) THE HATCH DOES NOT OPEN WHEN THE AUTOMATIC OPENING BUTTON IS USED, MUST ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE IN THE BACK TO OPEN IT AS I SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSH THE BUTTON. 6)WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES DISENGAGE OR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN AND THIS HAPPENS WHEN ROAD IS DRY THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PIECE OF JUNK SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND HAS CAUSED MULTIPLE FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH ALL
THE BRAKES WANT STOP ON TIME AND THE CAR IS MAKING ALL KIND OF LOUD NOISES LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE FRONT WENT I TURN RIGHT. THE HEATER WANT WORK ON HIGH. I HAD THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BARREL REPLACED BECAUSE IT WENT OUT NOW THIS. AFTER 20 YEARS I FINALLY BROUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR AND IT SEAMS TO HAVE MORE MAJOR PROBLEMS THEN A USE ONE . I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED I HAVE JUST STARTED RIDING THE BUS BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THIS FIXED AND I AM AFRAID I WILL CRASH. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THE 2003 AZTEK FOR THE BRAKES BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 6 COMPLAINT ON THE BRAKES. I THINK THIS STARTS TO HAPPENS AFTER 80000 OR 90,000 MILES. *TR
2003 PONTIAC AZTEK WITH A RECALL CONCERNING A FUEL LEAK. CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR THAT WAS DONE BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT. *KB
I HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD REPLACED BY GM 1 1/2 YEARS AGO. NOW MY AZTEK HAS 82,000 AND CYLINDER #4 HAS NO COMPRESSION - THE ROCKER GASKET HAD STOPPED WORKING $800 LATER - TWO WEEKS LATER I HAVE NO COMPRESSION IN CYLINDER #6. MY CAR IS JUST 5 YEARS OLD! GM NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC. ON OCTOBER 26, 2006, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THESE FAILURES. SOON AFTER HER WARRANTY EXPIRED, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A BLOWER MOTOR WAS NEEDED FOR THE A/C SYSTEM AND SHE PAID FOR THE REPAIR. ON JANUARY 9, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A BATTERY. ON OCTOBER 30, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR WINTERIZING AND REGULAR SERVICE MAINTENANCE. A NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID $3,023 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,143 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,180. THE DEALER STATED PERFORMED REPAIRS ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 11/16/07 *TR
WE HAVE REPLACED THE GAS TANK ON OUR 2003 AZTEK BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM AROUND THE JOINT WITH THE FILLER TUBE AND FILLING OUR HOUSE (WITH ATTACHED GARAGE) WITH A STRONG GAS SMELL. WE UNDERSTAND FROM YOUR WEBSITE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE ORIGINAL TANK IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED FROM 2,500 TO 3,500 WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEARS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AS OCTOBER 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS. PROBLEM EVIDENCED ITSELF AT ROUGHLY 58,000 MILES. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECTIVE CONDITION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE DEALER FOUND A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,537 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF
ON SATURDAY SEPT. 1ST MY AUNT TOLD US SHE SMELLED GAS WHEN SHE CAME OVER TO OUR HOUSE. WHEN WE WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK IT OUT WE NOTICED GAS DRIPPING FAIRLY QUICKLY OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF OUR PONTIAC AZTEC. WE HAVE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE NOT SMELLED GAS BEFORE. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN THE VEHICLE NOR HAVE WE HAD ANYTHING HIT THE CAR. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR IN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER YET WHILE WE TRY TO ASCERTAIN THE RECALL DATA. WE IMMEDIATELY LOOKED UP ANY RECALLS AND FOUND YOURS ON SEVERAL WEBSITES. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE GM PHONE NUMBER LISTED THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THAT MODEL AT THIS TIME. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO IN ORDER TO SEE IF THIS RECALL CONCERNING GAS TANKS, AND FUEL LEAKAGE APPLIES TO MY CAR. THANK GOD SHE HAPPENED TO SMELL THE GAS OR WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS EXPLOSION. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH, *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT WAS WALKING BESIDE HIS VEHICLE WHEN HE SMELLED GAS. HE LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE INLET ON THE SIDE OF THE TANK. HE PLACED A CONTAINER UNDER THE LEAK. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
2003 AZTEK. NOTICED 1/4 TANK OF GAS LEAKED UNDER VEHICLE. NO PRIOR PROBLEM WITH GAS LEAKAGE OR EVENT CAUSING THE LEAKAGE. TOOK CAR TO GM DEALER. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK. NO USED PARTS OR AFTERMARKET PARTS COULD BE USED BECAUSE OF A MODIFICATION TO THE GAS TANK AFTER THIS CAR WAS PRODUCED. NO RECALL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT A RUN-AROUND. THEY WERE TO CALL THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS. THEY FAILED TO FOLLOW THROUGH. THERE IS A NHTSA RQ06-009 ACTION OPEN ON THIS PROBLEM BUT NO ONE SEEMED TO CARE. IT APPEARS THAT I AM STUCK PAYING FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
THE ATI-LOCK (ABS) LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. FIRST STARTED 6/4/07 TOOK CAR TO DEAL. DEALER STATE THE SENSORS IS CORRODED AND WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER YOU EXTEND WARRANTY. THEY CLEAN THE SENSORS AND CHARGE ME $200 DOLLARS. ACCORDING TO THE WORK ORDER I WAS NOT CHARGE ANY PARTS. SO JUST 200 FOR LABOR TO CLEAN A SENSOR PICK UP THE CAR THAT NIGHT THE DASHBOARD ATI-LOCK (ABS) LIGHT CAME ON AND STAY ON. RETURN CAR BACK TO DEAL THEY HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 WEEK AND REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. THEY STATE THIS SHOULD FIX THE DASHBOARD ATI-LOCK (ABS) LIGHT . PICK UP THE CAR THAT NIGHT WENT TO STOP THE CAR AND THE ATI-LOCK (ABS) LIGHT CAME BACK ON. RETURN CAR BACK TO THE DEALER HAD CAR FOR 5 DAYS SAID ONE OF TWO THINGS THE EMC OR ECC SOME ATI-LOCK (ABS) COMPUTER OR THE WIRES RUNNING FROM THE SENSOR TO THE COMPUTER IS SHORTED OUT. THEY JUMPED THE SENSORS BY PASSING THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS SO THERE IS A DIRECT PATH FORM THE ABS SENSOR TO THE ABS COMPUTER. THE DEAL STATE THAT IS WAS FIXED. CURRENTLY HAVE THE CAR AND TEST DRIVING IT NOW 6/27/07
SMELT BURNING ANTI FREEZE AFTER DRIVING THE CAR. HEAD GASKETS REPLACED FRONT AND BACK. 1 - WATER PUMP REPLACED NOT IT 2- INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS REPLACED - NOT TOTALLY FIXED 3 - HEAD GASKETS BACK OF ENGINE NOW BEING REPLACED. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE AND OBSERVED IT LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. UPON ARRIVING HOME THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEAK HAD INCREASED. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO DRIVE TO THE REPAIR SHOP WITH THE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GAS TANK, AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO GM USING PLASTIC TO CONNECT THE FILLER HOSE TO THE GAS TANK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,100, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,067.*AK EA07-006.PCO
WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS A "GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE" BUT FOUND OUT LATER THAT IT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSPECTED AS THE BRAKES WERE BAD ALL OF THE WAY AROUND. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF IT, BUT 3 DAYS LATER A LOUD HUMMING STARTED TO OCCUR WHEN WE TURNED THE VEHICLE LEFT. UPON REPORTING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $600+. THIS PROBLEM HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE HUMMING ALMOST DROWNS OUT YOUR VOICE WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. AND IF YOU TURN LEFT, IT IS SO LOUD THAT IT HURTS YOUR EARS. EVEN WHEN WE TURN AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, SAY IN A PARKING LOT, IT SOUNDS LIKE A DEEP HUM AND CRUNCHING SOUND ON THE LEFT FRONT AND REAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S CLUTCH PADS, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AS WE REPORTED IT 3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE AZTEK. EVEN PONTIAC BLEW US OFF, AND OFFERED A YEARS WORTH OF OIL CHANGES AND LUBES FOR OUR TROUBLE.....AFTER 5 MONTHS, WE STILL HAVE YET TO GET THAT CERTIFICATE. I WILL BE SURE TO NEVER LOOK AT ANOTHER "GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE" AGAIN AFTER THE WAY WE WERE TREATED. *JB
I BOUGHT A USED 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC 6 MONTHS AGO, AND FOUND OUT RECENTLY THAT THERE IS A LOT OF KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE ORANGE ANTI-FREEZE EATING AWAY AT THE TUBES AND GASKETS OF THE ENGINE. WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING TO PAY OVER $700 TO FIX THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. *JB
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ONE DAY, THE START THE NEXT. THEN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. HAD HEATER PROBLEM BEFORE, BUT WHEN THEY CHECKED IT , IT WAS FINE. THEN WHEN IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL, HAD IT TOWED. THE GARAGE I HAD IT TOWED TO HAD BEEN THE ONE TO CHECK THE HEATER A COUPLE OF WEEKS PRIOR TO IT BREAKING DOWN, THEY HAD GIVEN IT AN OIL CHANGE ALSO. AFTER THE TOW, THEY INFORMED ME THAT ANTI-FREEZE HAD BEEN GETTING INTO THE INTAKE OIL(HEAD GASKETS),AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT ALL APART(LABOR!!!)---AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. I'VE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR!!!THANK GOD I HAD A WARRANTY EXTENDED,(EVEN THOUGH I AM PAYING A LOT FOR THAT ALSO!!)THAT I ONLY(!) HAD TO PAY THE 100.00 DEDUCTIBLE, BUT THEN HAD TO PAY FOR FILTERS,OIL(AGAIN!!) AND MISCELLANEOUS OTHER EXPENSES THE WARRANTY DIDN'T PAY!!ALTOGETHER, WITH WHAT THE WARRANTY PAID, AND WHAT I PAID (341.00)---IT CAME TO 2,200.00!!!---NOW THIS CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD,BARELY!!! AND I THINK THAT THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! *JB
TL*- THE CONTACT HAS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC 55200. ON JANUARY 31, 2007 THE CONTACT FOUND A POOL OF LEAKED FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE AFTER HE SENSED A GAS SMELL. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE SMELL TRAVELED FROM THE GARAGE TO THE HOME OVER NIGHT, AND WAS NOTICED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS. THE CONTACT THEN VENTILATED THE HOME ,AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THAT MORNING. THE SERVICE ADVISER DETERMINED THAT THE GAS TANK SEPARATED FROM THE MAIN HOLD, CAUSING THE GAS LEAK. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST GMC BECAUSE THE LEAK COULD HAVE BEEN IGNITED AND A FIRE MAY HAVE OCCURRED. *AK EA07-006.PCO
I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES AND HEAD LIGHTS AND ALSO MY BATTERY. I THINK IT'S A ELECTRICITY PROBLEM. EVERY SINCE I HAD THIS TRUCK I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY BRAKES ABOUT 10 TIMES AND MY HEAD LIGHTS ABOUT FIVE TIMES AND BATTERY TWICE. THERE'S A GRAWL AND ROAR SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME ONE TIME CAUSE ME TO RUN OUT IN FRONT OF CARS. THIS COULD HAVE KILL ME AN D MY CHILD. I ASK FOR ANOTHER CAR INSTEAD OF THIS. *JB
I PURCHASED A USED 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK IN OCT OF 2006, IT HAS 43K MILES. THE NEXT DAY, I NOTICED A SQUEALING NOISE WHEN I TURNED, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING "ALL WHEEL DRIVE". ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I AM ON AN UNEVEN ROAD OR HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT, THE VEHICLE SWERVES BADLY, SOMETIMES INTO THE OTHER LANE. I CALLED PONTIAC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT JUST TO THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BUT TO OTHERS ON THE ROADS ALSO. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A DIAGNOSIS. I ADVISED THEM THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME THING & THESE PEOPLE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS & IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I ADVISED PONTIAC THAT THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A MAJOR WRECK ONE DAY & THEY ARE GOING TO BE LIABLE FOR NOT RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM & FIXING IT. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A SMELL OF FUEL WAS NOTICED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT FILLED THE GAS TANK SHORTLY BEFORE THE SMELL WAS NOTICED, AND BELIEVED THAT SOME FUEL MAY HAVE SPILLED CAUSING THE SMELL. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE WELD WHERE THE FILLER NECK MET THE TANK. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER CONTACTED AN AUTHORIZED SALES DEALER TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V454000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. BOTH DEALERS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE GAS TANK WHICH IS PLASTIC DEVELOPED A CRACK AND STARTED TO LEAK, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
2003 AZTEK WITH 65000 MILES HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED GM SAID I DID NOT HAVE FLUID CHANGED AT 50,000 MILES THAT THE TROUBLE WAS MY FAULT. I CONTACTED GM THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I CONTACTED 3 OTHER TRANSMISSION SHOPS---ALL 3 SAID CHANGING THE FLUID WOULD NOT HAVE STOPPED THE PROBLEM. GM THEN TELLS ME THEY CAN NOT TAKE THE WORD OF ANOTHER MECHANIC BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GM CERTIFIED. I WILL NEVER BUY GM AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD BE A VERY DEPENDABLE CAR. NOT EVEN 3 YEARS OLD. I SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *JB
1. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT SHUTTING IT OFF IF I LEAVE IT RUNNING AND PUT IT IN PARK LIKE AT A DRIVE-THROUGH ETC. HAVE NOT HAD IT CHECKED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE OUT OF WARRANTY AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX. 2. THE REAR WINDOW HATCH WILL NOT OPEN PROPERLY. I HAD THE DEALER REPAIR ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. 3. FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ONCE AND IS ROARING LIKE IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. 4. THE BACK MIDDLE SEAT BELT FELL APART AND IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. 5. THE VEHICLE GOES THROUGH BRAKES RATHER QUICKLY. HAS BEEN LESS THAN A YEAR AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *NM
WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING - VEHICLE IS IN PARK - VEHICLE WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK AND GO INTO GEAR. YOU HAVE TO TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE TO GET IT TO COME OUT OF PARK. *JB
WHEEL BEARINGS DEFECTIVE. *AK
FUEL CELL CRACKED WHERE NECK MEETS BODY OF FUEL CELL. COULD SMELL IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK BUT NO LEAK WAS EVER SEEN, UNTIL A FEW WEEKS LATER. *NM
(1) 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK, 41500 MILES IN SERVICE 2 YEARS 3 MONTHS, WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE STARTED TO LEAK GAS AT THE FILLER NECK. (2) GAS LEAKED VERY QUICKLY WHEN TANK WAS FILLED. (3) DUE TO WARRANTY BEING ONLY 36000 MI DEALER EXAMINED LEAK FOR $100 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE, BUT NOT PART OF TSB AND NORMAL BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRED DUE TO MILEAGE, DEALER WANTED $900 TO FIX IT. AFTER APPEALING TO PONTIAC CORPORATE, GOODWILL EXTENSION OF WARRANTY GOT TANK REPLACED. DEALER KEPT PART. I PERSONALLY THINK IF NO CAUSE OF LEAK IS FOUND (AS IN COLLISION TYPE DAMAGE/VANDALISM) GAS TANK SHOULD BE COVERED AS PART OF EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM (5 YEARS/100,000 MILES I THINK...). WHAT GOOD IS AN EVAPORATIVE VAPOR COLLECTION SYSTEM IF YOU ARE LEAKING GAS ALL OVER HIGHWAY? *NM
I HAVE A 2003 AZTEK AND THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN LEAKING FROM THE WELD AT THE CHECK VALVE AND THE TANK. I HAVE FOUND A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 MODELS WHEN I CALLED PONTIAC THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL BUT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. *JB
2003 PONTIAC AZTEC, CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING 14 HOURS I ONLY HAD THE AZTEC FOR JUST ABOUT 2 WEEKS, THE FIRE STARTING UNDER THE HOOD IN AN ELECTRICAL BOX THE SUV WAS A TOTAL, MEAN WHILE I LOST MY DOWN PAYMENT OF 1,000 AND IS STILL LEFT WITH OUT TRANSPORTATION THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OFF THE LOAN WHICH LEFT ME A BALANCE OWED NOW, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE AND AGAIN THE LOSS OF MY DOWN PAYMENT AND NO CAR THIS HAS BEEN AN NIGHTMARE FOR ME IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS AND I STILL FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARDED AN DOWN PAYMENT THE FIRE WAS THE MANUFACTURING FAULT AND THE INSURANCE WENT ONLY AFTER THE BOOK VALUE AND ME AS A CUSTOMER WELL NOTHING BUT MISERY AND PAIN. JANICE. *JB
DT: THE HAZARD, TURN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT THIS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE SWITCH WHICH SHOWED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE AFOREMENTIONED WERE REPLACED, A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND NEW FLASHERS. *AK
SES LIGHT AND ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, TOOK TO SALERNO DUANE IN NEWTON NJ WHEW I PURCHASED MY 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK NEW. WAS TOLD INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING AND THE CAUSE OF LIGHTS, SES AND DASH LIGHTS. $1100 LATER, LIGHTS STILL GOING OFF AND ON. NOW TOLD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM. $250. FOR PARTS PLUS LABOR. I AM VERY ANGRY THAT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, THAT I PAID ALL THAT MONEY AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS SOMETHING ELSE. I ARGUED WITH THE DEALER THAT I WILL NOT PAY FOR INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OR LABOR AND THEY AGREED. I ALSO FEEL THAT I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND LABOR SINCE THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME. THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING, AND EVEN IF IT WAS, IT SHOULD BE ON A RECALL FROM GM BECAUSE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR GM MOTORS. WHEN IS ANYBODY GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. *NM
2003 PONTIAC AZTEK HAS A WATER LEAK. SES LIGHT ILLUMINATES,FUEL GAGE FLUCTATES AND CARRIES AN ODOR FROM WATER DAMAGE.C305 CONNECTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION CAUSED FROM WATER. DEALERSHIP RETURNED MY CAR ON JUNE 20, 2005 STATING EVERYTHING WAS FIXED AND ON JULY 18, 2005 CAR IS BACK AT DEALERSHIP BECAUSE FLOOR IS COMPLETELY SOAKING WET AGAIN.AS OF TODAY, JULY 19, 2005 THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT CONTACTED ME REGARDING MY VEHICLE, NOR RETURNED MY PHONE CALLS. CAUSE OF WATER LEAK MUST STILL BE UNKNOWN.
THE 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC HAS INTERMITTENT ISSUES REGARDING THE REAR DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS AND NOW INOPERABLE BRAKE LIGHT(S). THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF A DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL FAILURE EXCEPT FOR WHEN IT IS DARK OUTSIDE OR SOMEONE BEHIND ME IDENTIFIES THE ISSUE. THE SPECIFIC ISSUE IS THAT WHEN THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL IS USED, BOTH THE REAR DIRECTIONALS FLASH. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE PART IDENTIFIED HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, AS WELL AS EVERY OTHER COMPONENT. AFTER THE 4TH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR THE SAME ISSUE, I WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND THE DRIVER OF THE AZTEC. IMMEDIATELY I DISCOVERED THAT AFTER THE REPAIR, THE BACK LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE BULB WAS REPLACED WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME.
I HAVE HAD THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED TWICE IN EIGHT MONTHS ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. I JUST HAD THE WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS?
MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE FALLEN UNDER THE LEMON LAW DUE TO SEVERAL PROBLEMS, RESULTING IN 21 VISITS TO THE DEALER IN LESS THAN 3 MONTHS. BESIDES ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS, I LATER HAD TO TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE WHEN I MADE A SHORT LEFT TO RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE WOULD DIE LEAVING ME TO TRY TO STEER IT TO SAFETY. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED, BUT RECENTLY IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, AND IS THREATENING THE LIVES OF EVERYONE.I AM A SINGLE MOM, AND THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 81,000 MILES ON IT, AND IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN ONGOING PROBLEM, AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THESE REPAIRS DONE.I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IN ALL OF MY VEHICLE INFORMATION AND PROBLEMS THAT IT HAS HAD TO SOMEONE. I TRIED TO WORK WITH THE DEALER AND PONTIAC'S CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE FIRST YEAR, AND WAS FINALLY TOLD BY WALT GRAYSON AT GRAYSON PONTIAC THAT MAYBE I SHOULD CONSIDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. INSTEAD OF OFFERING TO ASSIST WITH THE SITUATION. I HAVE BACK UP FOR EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THE VEHICLE. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME?*AK
2003 PONTIAC AZTEK.....EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE- FLICKERING LIGHTS, UNUSUAL ODOR. SMOKE IN THE INTERIOR OF THE AUTOMOBILE COMING FROM UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT. WITHIN MINUTES, FLAMES CAME THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVER'S SEATAND AUTOMOBILE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES, VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. IT WAS UNSALVABLE.*AK
WHILE BRAKING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS EIGHT TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE STILL BAD AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED AGAIN. *BF *NM
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH GAUGES MALFUNCTIONED. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT WAY UP, AND THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, AND VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER HAD TO WAIT 20 MINUTES TO AN HOUR BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START UP AGAIN. OWNER DROVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER WASN'T TALKING TO THE DIAGNOSTIC. DEALER TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE DEFECTS WERE TAKEN CARE OF. YET, THESE PROBLEMS STILL EXISTED. ALSO, OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *AK
LOOSE LUMBER NOISE/CLUNK IN REAR SUSPENSION - 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC - SERVICE BULLETIN EXISTS FOR REPAIR BUT OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *JB
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK IN MARCH OF 2003. TO DATE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS ON THE HEATER FAN MOTOR REPLACED TWICE, THE DRIVERS DOOR HINGES RESET TWICE, THE REAR TRUNK RELEASE REPLACED TWICE, REPAINTED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND REAR DRIVERS AREA NEAR TAILLIGHT BECAUSE THE PAINT WAS GONE, SEVERAL NO-STARTS THAT WERE NOT REPEATED AT THE GARAGE-BUT NEEDED JUMP STARTS TO RUN, REAR DRIVERS TAIL-LIGHT WAS REPLACED ONCE BECAUSE IT WAS FALLING OUT AND ITS STARTING TO FALL OUT AGAIN, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BEING REPLACED TOMORROW. WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER 18,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HATE IT AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC BECAUSE OF THIS LEMON. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY SO FAR, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT RUNS OUT? SELL IT TO THE NEXT SUCKER I GUESS. *JB *TR
BOTH WIPERS FLEW OFF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 45 -50 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD DUE TO SEVERE VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB
1. DRIVING ON CITY STREET AND HIT A GOLF BALL SIZE ROCK 2. GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED, AND BRAKE LINE WAS CRUSHED. DROVE FOR 4 MORE MILES BEFORE WE SMELLED THE GAS AND GOT OUT AND SAW IT SPRAYING OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR. THE FACT THAT IT DIDN'T EXPLODE IS A MIRACLE, I WAS WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD SON. 3. THE PONTIAC AZTEK, WHICH THIS CAR IS, IS PROMOTED AND ADVERTISED AS A VEHICLE FOR GOING OFF ROUD THROUGH DIRT ROADS AND STREAMS, THIS HAPPENED DRIVING ALONG A CITY STREET. THE MANUFATURER WON'T FIX THIS PROBLEM, TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE A FUNDAMENTAL, AND POTENTIALLY DESIGN FLAW. HAD MY CAR EXPLODED AND KILLED ME AND MY SON, WOULD PONTIAC HAVE PAID ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM THEN? DOES IT TAKE A DEATH TO GET THEIR ATTENTION ABOUT A SERIOUS PROBLEM?*AK
A FEW WEEKS AGO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK, AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE WIPERS BEGAN TO WORK. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN. WHILE TRYING TO SHUT THE WIPERS ON AND OFF TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD, SMOKE THEN FILLED THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS CHARRED APPEARING TO HAVE BEEN ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND RESPONDED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VERIFIED ANY FIRE THAT EXSISTED WAS EXTINGUISHED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT APPEARS AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVED UNDER WARRENTY BECAUSE A EMERGENCY RESPONCE SIREN WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, THIS ITEM WAS NOT OPERATING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE FULL DAMAGE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THEY ARE WILLING TO HONOR THE VEHICLES WARRENTY ON THIS ITEM.*AK
WHEN AT A STOP VEHICLE IDLED TOO FAST, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
AZTEK HAS STALLED OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. STALLS HAVE TAKEN PLACE DURING LOW SPEEDS (USUALLY 10-15 MPH) AND ALWAYS WHILE TURNING. HAS RESULTED IN STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AS WELL AS OTHER UNSAFE SITUATIONS. WHEN STALLS THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND STEERING FREEZES AND MUST RESTART CAR. STARTS BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM AND NO PROBLEM LIGHTS INDICATED ON DASHBOARD. SERVICE DEPARTMENT UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM AND FIND NO CODES SET FOR INCIDENTS IN VEHICLES COMPUTER. STALLING HAS NOW OCCURRED FOUR TIMES, ALWAYS UNPREDICTABLY AND INCONSISTENTLY BUT ALWAYS ON FULL TANK OF GAS. VEHICLE HAS 30, 000 MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE. *AK
BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AT 16,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED BOTH HUB ASSEMBLIES. DEALER DID NOT HAVE ANY REASON FOR EXTREMELY PREMATURE FAILURE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. *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 2003 Pontiac Aztek → · Every Aztek year → · How the figures are calculated →