AI DamagePontiac Aztek: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Pontiac Aztek across 5 model years: 566 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 9% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 107 complaints (19% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 95 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 79 complaints (14% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 75 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 53 complaints (9% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.4 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2001–2005named in 6 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 2001–2005
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 566 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 107 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 95 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 79 | 4 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 75 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 53 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 50 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 40 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 38 | 19 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 27 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 keys in, I pulled keys out n the car rolled backwards I hop in the car n turn the wheel and I flew out and the car ran me over tire on my back the car didn't stop I pushing the brakes nothing!
The contact stated while driving 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without any warning and crashed into a tree. The contact mentioned that the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired.
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 towed to the contact's home and pending an investigation. The failure and current mileages were approximately 104,000.
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 mileages were 117,000. Kmj
2003 pontiac aztec, 75,000 miles with no symptoms blew tie rod causing car to swerve due to lack of brakes and steering and flipped into ravine.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.