KnownCarProblems2001 Pontiac Aztek Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 216 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, most often about the electrical (19% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Aztek model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2001 Pontiac Aztek problems
Electrical
40 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, horn.
After car was services, within one-half hour of driving vehicle the engine caught on fire. The fire could not be put out by 8 police vehicles responding and had to be extinguished by a volunteer fire company engine.
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.
Fuel system
39 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
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.
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.…
Brakes
31 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, conventional, antilock.
Our air conditioner quit working, we thought it just needed to be re-charged, I had it re-charged two weeks in a roll, then it quit working again, I looked on the internet and saw many complains about the compressor leaking in the Aztek 2001, I would think that a notification should be sent out to consumers. Of course…
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…
Engine
28 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
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.
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.
Air bags
27 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 125,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Aztek. While attempting to close the door, the air bags deployed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac aztec. The contact stated that while loading the vehicle with boxes, the side air bag deployed erroneously, striking a passenger. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was waiting for a corporate engineer to further inspect the damage. The vehicle had not…
Equipment
27 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: appliance, electrical, recreational vehicle/trailer.
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…
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…
Transmission
22 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 53,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, driveline, manual transmission.
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.
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…
Visibility and wipers
13 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, defroster/defogger/hvac system, power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices.
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). 8125 miles: ses light on again. (cleaned corroded connectors for ABS and fuel pump) 8155 miles: ses on…
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.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Pontiac Aztek recalls
Fuel system: storage
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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).
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1-866-608-8080, cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.
Full defect summary
Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the ab8ility of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began december 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt #3.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.
Seats: recliner
Risk: If the connector for a latch-type child restraint is not attached correctly to the anchorage points, the restraint will not properly protect a child in the event of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the latch anchor wires and repair those with an improper diameter. Owner notification began april 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain mini vans built with second row 50/50 split bench seats or captain's chairs, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the seat latch anchor wire diameter is greater than 6.1 mm.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and the occupants could receive more severe injuries.
Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on january 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on april 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or saturn at 1-800-553-6000.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Summary
Gm is recalling (NHTSA recall no. 07v-349) certain model year (my) 2002-2004 buick rendezvous, chevrolet venture (regular wheelbase) and 2001-2004 pontiac aztek and montana (regular wheelbase) vehicles to replace fuel tanks and correct a defect that may allow fuel leakage.the vehicle recall population is rendezvous and aztek vehicles built in may 2003, venture and montana vehicle built in june through august 2002 and certain same model vehicles registered in nevada, arizona, virgin islands, puerto rico and hawaii that were built through nov/dec 2003 (depending on model).the total number of vehicles recalled is 20,594 (includes 15,196 subject aztek and rendezvous vehicles). In addition to the
Fuel tank leakage
Summary
Certain subject vehicles may exhibit leakage of odor and/or fuelfrom the lower portion of the fuel tank inlet filler pipe (inlet check valve).the inlet check valve (icv) and the fuel tank are joined together using a hot plate welding process for plastic parts.gm reports that its analysis of field returned parts show evidence of process variations for different manufacturing periods.these variations produced some icv to fuel tank joints with poor melt flow lines.odi's analysis of gm's warranty claim data finds more frequent fuel tank replacements in the hotter climate states.this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-006) to further assess this matter.
Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Aztek
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (40 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); fuel system (39 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); brakes (31 complaints, typically around 44,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 8, 2007 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Pontiac Aztek?
- It is the most complained-about Aztek model year since 2000, with 216 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.