2004 Pontiac Aztek

Routine

Owners filed 67 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
48,146 milesMedian miles at failure

53 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System10
000
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing8
000
Fuel/Propulsion System4
000
Fuel System, Gasoline4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip3
102
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
000
Service Brakes3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling3
000
Engine3
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage07V349000
Filed Aug 8, 200720,594 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).

Risk. A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly › Pressure Relief Devices07E021000
Filed Mar 12, 2007742 vehiclesDelphi

Defect. CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk. FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Electrical System › Ignition05V157000
Filed Apr 20, 200534,186 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.

Risk. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage03V454000
Filed Nov 10, 200379 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.

Risk. IF THESE PARTS SEPARATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE AN ODOR OF FUEL, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, AND/OR FUEL MAY LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE FUEL TANK TO SEE IF IT IS ON THE LIST OF AFFECTED TANKS. IF THE SERIAL NUMBER MATCHES, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Apr 29, 2020MS

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS FROM MY CAR FOR YEARS BUT JUST NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT LOOKED AT. I EVEN CALLED ABOUT RECALLS CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THROUGH RESEARCH IN 2015 BUT WAS TOLD THEY HAD BEEN CLOSED SO I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN IF IT WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER RECALL. I NO LONGER FILL MY TANK WITH GAS BECAUSE THERE IS A LEAK. I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATE THAT I NEED A NEW FUEL TANK, AND FUEL LEVER SENSOR AND SENDER. ALSO, HAVE OIL LEAKS IN 2 PLACES, THEY TELL ME I NEED UPPER & LOWER INTAKE GASKETS. AS WELL AS VALVE COVER GASKETS & OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING REPLACED AND OIL PAN GASKET REPLACED. ALSO, NEEDS WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT REPLACED.I ALSO FOR THE PAST 3 OR SO YEARS HAVE TO KEEP A PEN OR PENCIL IN MY CAR TO INSERT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE MY KEY .

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 1, 2020117,000 milesCA

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING; THERE IS A HISTORY OF A RECALL THAT HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

SeatsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 27, 2020171,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CRASHED INTO A GMC ENVOY AND FLIPPED OVER LANDING ON THE ROOF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK AS THE CONTACT WAS CUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WAS UNCONSCIOUS, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE OCCUPANT OF THE GMC HAD NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS LOST HER EYE SIGHT DUE TO AIRBAG FAILURE.*JB*DT*JB

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 201995,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED BEFORE REACHING AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE HOSES WERE FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FRACTURED. THE BRAKES AND HOSES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.. *BF CONSUMER STATED POWERSTEERING HIGH PRESSURE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST. THE DAY THE BRAKE LINES WERE GETTING REPAIRED CONSUMER WAS TOLD FUEL LINE FROM THE PUMP TO THE INJECTORS WAS ALSO RUSTED AND WOULD LEAK ANYTIME. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 201810 milesNC

MY CAR TURN OFF ON MY CHILDREN AND I ON THE HIGHWAY THANK GOD WE WAS ABLE TO COAST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT OUTTA NO WHERE NOT ONLY THAT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND FUEL LINE EXHAUSTED SYSTEM SOMETHING WRONG ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. WITH THAT BEING SAID I'M GREAT MY CHILDREN WAS NOT HURT DOING THIS ORDEAL. I LEARNED THAT THESE CARS HAVE FEW COMPLAINTS. BUT DO HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND VACUUM HOW'S EXHAUSTED. JUST GOT THE CAR I MARCH AND FOUND OUT BOUT THIS RECALL I'M SO DISAPPOINTED SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR RIGHT NOW.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 28, 201719,000 milesMN

"TAKATA RECALL" ON MY CAR THE ELECTRONIC IS NOT WORKING AND HASN'T BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND WON'T GO BACK OFF. AND THE GAS TANK IS NOT WORKING RIGHT, I CAN'T GET GAS INTO MY TANK , IT DOES GO IN BUT I HAVE TO KEEP TRYING BECAUSE IT POPS OUT AND DON'T LET ME PUT GAS IN IT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 25, 2016IN

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FOR 45 MINUTES AND WHEN GOT HOME NOTICE THERE WAS GAS COMING FROM MY PONTIAC AZTEC. DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICE THERE'S A RECALL. CALL BUICK AND THEY TOLD ME MY VIN IS NOT COVER UNDER THE RECALL. REALLY?

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2016KY

LIGHTING GOES OUT AT NIGHT WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS

Engine
Filed Nov 4, 2015204,000 milesSD

I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY VEHICLE FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME MY VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING ON TO MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THAT IT WHY IT WAS SMOKING WHEN WE STOPPED. I TALKED TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL SO THEY COULD NOT HELP, SO I HAVE THREE CHOICES LET IT SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY, PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED OR DRIVE IT TILL IT STARTS ON FIRE. IT HAS THE 3800 MOTOR LIKE ALL THE OTHER CARS IN THE RECALL. I CAN GET A LETTER FROM MY MECHANIC IF NEEDED.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 11, 201570,000 milesLA

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION ONCE CAR TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE FIRST OCCURRED IN 2010. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE KEY IS TO OVERRIDE PARK SHIFT INDICATOR, WHICH WOULD ALLOW KEY TO BE REMOVED WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEREBY DISABLING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THERE IS NO FIX THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE OVERRIDING PARK SHIFT INDICATOR PER DEALER.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 11, 201570,000 milesLA

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION ONCE CAR TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE FIRST OCCURRED IN 2010. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE KEY IS TO OVERRIDE PARK SHIFT INDICATOR, WHICH WOULD ALLOW KEY TO BE REMOVED WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEREBY DISABLING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THERE IS NO FIX THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE OVERRIDING PARK SHIFT INDICATOR PER DEALER.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 11, 2015104,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED THAT FUEL WAS SPILLING ONTO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WELD OF THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V454000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 09/14/15*LJ

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 22, 2015NC

I HAVE BEEN HAVIBG ISSUES WITH MY CALL STALLING AND FUEL LEAKAGE FPR AWHILE NOW AND WHILE CHECKING THE WEBSITE FOR RECALLS I NOTICED THERE WERE 4 RECALLS ON MY CAR. WHEN CALLED TO TRY AND HAVE THE RECALLS FIXED, I WAS TOLD THAT MY CARS VIN WASN'T ON THE LIST FOR ANY RECALLS. BUT THE ISSUES DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL IS THE EXACT ISSUE I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING FIR THE LAST YEAR OR SO. WHY NOT LET ME BRING THE CAR IN TO BE CHECKED AND IF THE ISSUE MY CAR IS HAVING IS THE PARTS ON THE RECALL LIST, JUST REPLACE THEM. BUT NO NOT GM, THEY REFUSED TO EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. SO DISAPPOINTED IN GM, ESPECIALLY SINCE I JUST BOUGHT ANOTHER GM VEHICLE. LOOKING IN TO REPLACING IT NOW.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 22, 2015124,000 milesOK

DRIVING CAR ON ROAD AND CAR QUIT RUNNING, ELECTRICAL STARTED FLASHING. PULLED OVER AND IGNITION SWITCH WOULD ONLY GO TO ACC. MODE, IT WOULD NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION. I HAD CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. THE IGNITION WILL ONLY GO TO ACC. MODE WILL NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION WHERE KEY CAN BE REMOVED..UNHOOKED BATTERY TERMINAL AND CAR IS STILL PARKED. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 21, 2015158,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE, FUEL TANK, AND FUEL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 14, 2014130,000 milesAZ

SEEMS LIKE THE VAN HAS BEEN LEAKING FUEL FOR SOMETIME NOW AS AN ODOR OF GAS COULD BE SMELLED WHEN DRIVING BUT NEVER REALIZED IT UNTIL THE VAN WAS PARKED ON THE CARPORT AND SAW A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2014GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2014129,219 milesGA

ABS SYSTEM LIGHTS WENT ON AND ABS SYSTEM EXHIBITS CRUNCHING, GRINDING, NOISY AND ABNORMAL PULSING OPERATION. JUNE 2012 MESSAGE INDICATES RF HUB NEEDS REPLACEMENT. DONE. ABS SYSTEM ACTS UP AGAIN IN UNDER 30 DAYS SAME SYMPTOMS. REAR BRAKES/DRUM REPLACED 6/2013, ABS PROBLEMS STILL PRESENT. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED 8/2013, ABS PROBLEMS STILL PRESENT. 8/2013 TAKEN TO GM DEALER SERVICE FOR ANALYSIS. SPEED SENSOR REPLACED, ABS PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. DEALER ADVISES THAT LF HUB NEEDS REPLACING AND ABS HARNESSES ON BOTH SIDES. 8/2014 LF HUB REPLACED AND ERROR MESSAGE NOW READS THAT RF HUB IS BAD AGAIN. TAKING BACK TO GM DEALER THIS WEEK TO TRY AND FIND THE DEFINITIVE SOLUTION. CONTINUED ONE BY ONE REPAIRS THAT DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT STREAM. NOTE: RR HUB WAS ALSO REPLACED IN 2011. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 21, 2014122,948 milesTX

THE GAUGES MESSED UP FIRST NONE OF THE GAUGES WORK SOMETIMES THE SPEED ODOMETER WILL MOVE BUT DOES NOT WORK . THE CAR ALSO WHEN ACCELRATING THE GAS IT WONT GO THE WAY IT SHOULD IT TAKES ALONG TIME TO BUILD UP SPEED. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR TRYING TO GET IT TO RUN PROPER I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP AT G.M.C TO HAVE THE ISSUE WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM ISSUE THEY REPLACED A PART BUT IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THIS WAS TEAGUE CHEVROLET-BUICK INC MABANK, TX, 75147. AS OF MAY 2, 2014 THE CAR WANT STAY RUNNING THIS HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS I ONLY FOUND OUT CAUSE I WAS SERCHING ON WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH MY AZTEK AND I FOUND THE RECALL THIS AXTEK IS A REAL LEMON. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Nov 24, 2013160,000 milesPA

THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BURNING DRIVERS CLOTHES ON THE LEFT WRIST. THE DRIVERS RIGHT KNEECAP WAS FRACTURED BY HITTING THE DASH WHEN THE VEHICLE STRUCK A POWER POLE. *TR

20 of 67 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2001
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200534100Routine
2004 — this page67400Routine
2003128460Routine
2002121310Routine
2001216660Above average

Compare every Aztek year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 8, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.