KnownCarProblems2002 Pontiac Aztek Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Pontiac Aztek, most often about the fuel system (22% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Aztek model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Pontiac Aztek problems
Fuel system
27 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, fuel injection system.
- the contact was a driving vehicle at 70 miles an hour, when the vehicle made a scraping noise due to a wheel bearing failure. There were no inicidents or casualties. The contact's car was towed and repaired. The contact received a letter from the manufacturer stating that there is a problem with wheel bearings but…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Aztek. The fuel tank has a crack near the fuel filler neck. The contact smelled fuel outside the vehicle while parked. The Pontiac dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in recall number 07v-349. The fuel system was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 80,000.
Engine
24 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 66,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
Dt: the caller said engine service light was on. When she took vehicle to the dealer, they said they fixed it. The caller said after picking up the vehicle that the passenger side headlight was missing. The dealer said it was stolen. The caller said the vehicle will not pass inspection. Manufacturer has not been…
Drove to work no problems, went to start up to go home 8 hours later and got nothing . Towed home and replace the starter and recharge battery(dead after trying to start it) started with a very loud knock sound from what I think is the top end , took it to dealer where bought it 28 earlier from and they sai dmotor was…
Suspension
20 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 41,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Wheel bearing failure on 2002 Pontiac Aztek, both bearings failed, creating a potentially serious handling problem with the vehicle. Vehicle less than two years old, and had 41,500 miles.
2002 Pontiac Aztek front wheel bearings bad at 45,000 miles there was no accident, but we do feel this is a product defect. We do have the old part but could not get them replaced
Electrical
18 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
It began with my rear hatch not working on my 2002 Pontiac Aztek. Then the ignition began sticking and culminated with the alarm going off (while driving) and all electrical systems shutting down with increasing frequency. When this occurs, all gauges are shut down, the doors are disabled, headlights (all lights) are…
Vehicle dash goes crazy service engine light and change oil light will not go off. Many diagnostic tests no popped code nor bad fuses. Now security warning and anti theft turns on my vehicle goes on lock down no AC, windows and doors lock down I can not get out. This has happened two times. Also newest thing is my…
Brakes
15 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 58,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
Purchased 2002 Pontiac Aztek as of 10/08/2005 from saturn of arlington, texas, pre-owned vehicle sales dept. Problem developed during application of brakes following acceleration of all speeds; results in mysterious clatter during engagement of braking system seemingly originating from right-rear of vehicle. Safety…
Check engine light appeared. Took vehicle to mechanic and was told the code was in reference to the fuel tank pressure sensor. Mechanic de-activated check engine light. After 2 days, check engine light appeared again. Took to dealer and had code checked. Same issue with fuel pressure sensor. Dealer stated this was a…
Body and structure
11 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
Water leaking in under front dash during rain storms; LED to mildew and mold growing on seats, floor, shifter, windows, & doors throughout car. Happened several times, thought first time was my fault, next time it definitely was not.
Had to replace 5 wheel bearings AC condensers rear latch does not unlatch at times dealer said they put on a stronger spring still only works half the time. Transmission went out at 70,000 driver door gets out of line because of hinge bending.
Doors and locks
10 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: hatchback/liftgate, doors.
Loud knocking noise in engine. We had it in the shop twice so they could remove and disassemble the engine and replace all six pistons, rod bearings and gaskets. First time at 34,000 miles, second time at 46,000 miles. Currently at 51,000 miles and engine noise is back. Front left wheel bearing went out at 41,000…
At 51,000 miles engine overheating when stopped at traffic lights. Added antifreeze, but did not fix the problem. At same time AC failed. Then electrical system started failing. Alarm going off for no reason, doors locking and unlocking themselves, rear hatch opening, and all gauges lighting up then going blank for 5…
Transmission
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: axle hubs, automatic transmission, axle assembly.
Loud knocking noise in engine. We had it in the shop twice so they could remove and disassemble the engine and replace all six pistons, rod bearings and gaskets. First time at 34,000 miles, second time at 46,000 miles. Currently at 51,000 miles and engine noise is back. Front left wheel bearing went out at 41,000…
The right rear hub assembly was defective. The vehicle did not brake affectively. When applying the brakes it continued on. . This was discovered while having the tires replaced ,the brakes and hub assembly were examined.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 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.
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 2002 Pontiac Aztek
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Pontiac Aztek?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (27 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); engine (24 complaints, typically around 66,500 miles); suspension (20 complaints, typically around 41,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Aztek have?
- 2 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 2002 a bad year for the Pontiac Aztek?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Aztek model year since 2000, with 121 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.