KnownCarProblems2004 Pontiac Aztek Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Aztek, most often about the fuel system (24% of complaints, typically around 86,500 miles). It is 4th of 5 Aztek model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2004 Pontiac Aztek problems
Fuel system
16 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
I notice the smell of gas on my drive way, after a few days I notice it was coming from the vehicle. I noticed it would only do it when I parked forward (so the cars front end was inclined) I thought it was coming from the clamp, I tighten the clamed. Did not work. Took it to a mechanic and said it was the seal around…
After noticing a strong gasoline smell while driving vehicle, it was discovered that the fuel pressure regulator was dripping fuel onto the engine. The fuel was coming from the case seam and not the fuel line or connection to the fuel rail.
Electrical
15 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 43,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, starter assembly.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Aztek. While driving 45 MPH, the contact smelled gas. He pulled the vehicle over and discovered a fuel valve leak. The dealer would not perform the repair under recall number 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage). The cost for the repair was $804. The contact also stated that the…
"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.
Engine
13 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Head gasket blown on 2004 Pontiac Aztek rally, 3.4l engine, 39,880 miles. I bought this car used 3 months ago with 37,000 miles at southtowne hyundai in riverdale, ga - [phone]. They told me the car was mechanically sound and had passed a 60-point inspection. Recently, upon driving up a 5-mile hill, about midway the…
: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed the vehicle stalled. The lights on the radio intermittently illuminated prior to the stalling. This happened five times. The vehicle was put in park then restarted and operated properly. The dealership installed a new chip in an effort to remedy the problem…
Brakes
12 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac aztec. The contact stated that when the brake was engaged while driving at low speeds, the brake grabbed and exhibited a grinding noise. In addition, the anti-lock braking system warning light illuminated. The failure was experienced intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a local…
Tl contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Aztek. While driving 45 MPH, the antilock brake system failed. The rear end of her vehicle fishtailed when she approached a wet surface. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that her ABS had failed the left front hub assembly also had to be replaced. The current and failure…
Suspension
8 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
I own (2) Aztek's, a 2002 and a 2004. I received a letter in sept 06 stating that there is an issue with front bearings wearing prematurely on 2002 Aztek's. The letter stated that they will replace any defective bearings within (5) years of date of purchase or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Since my 2002 Aztek…
I purchased a 2004 Pontiac Aztek in june of 2005 with 18k on the unit I drove mostly highway miles for my job in all of 05' and the beginning of 06' I had to have the front left wheel bearing replaced in june of 06' and then the front right side needs to be replaced in jan/ feb. Of 07' this is not acceptable the…
Air bags
5 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 117,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Aztek. The contact was driving 45 MPH and was involved in a crash where the airbags failed to deploy. The contact was reported injured. A police report was not available. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current…
The contact owns a 2004 Pontiac Aztek. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, she crashed head on into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The driver received injuries to the head and was later transported to the hospital. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The vehicle was…
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%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…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
I have had to replace both front wheel bearings on my 04 Aztek 1 month ago and now the rear bearings are needing to be replaced. Vehicle has 69,000 miles.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 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).
Electrical: ignition
Risk: The vehicle cannot be restarted immediately. If this were to occur, it could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: storage
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, a weld between the fuel tank inlet check valve and the fuel tank can fail.
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.
Ignition relay failure
Summary
On november 10, 2004, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate the failure, malfunction, or other unsatisfactory performance of the engine control system which may result in engine stalling in certain model year (my) 2004 buick rendezvous (gmt250) and pontiac aztek (gmt250) vehicles allegedly caused by ignition relay failure.odi is aware of 68 non-duplicative complaints and 1092 warranty claims related to the subject issue.there are no known crashes related to ignition relay failure on the subject vehicles.by letter dated april 19, 2005, general motors corp. (gm) has notified odi that it will conduct a safety recall (nthsa recall no. 05v-157) t
Questions about the 2004 Pontiac Aztek
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Pontiac Aztek?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (16 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 43,000 miles); engine (13 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Pontiac Aztek have?
- 3 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 2004 a bad year for the Pontiac Aztek?
- It is 4th of 5 Aztek model years by number of complaints, with 67 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.