2001 Pontiac Aztek: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 216 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (13% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Bout 3 weeks ago car just keep acting up had it for one year cant read codes on car keep overheating replaced radiator cvl axle brakes oil change transmission fluid car just decided to not pass 50mph be driveable one day driving it went to a stop sign brake car cut off I see check gauges come on service light on cant read codes to find out anything I think the wiring is mess up replaced started as well just to much only had it for a 1and a half”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
“I have replace 2 ignition switches, and still having problems..the key will not come out/unlock when switching car off..which kills the battery because I can't turn off the car this is terrible ..it's the ignition switch or the steering column, this happens when putting the car in park!!!!key will not turn car off/can't get key out too”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2018
“Gm has issued a safety bulletin in regards to a broken fuel tank that could cause explosions, or fire. I have tried to get them to perform the repair but they are refusing. The problem is for all years of the pontiac aztek and buick rendezvous. I have a leak from this location, the fuel inlet, and am nearly afraid to drive the vehicle, but at a cost of over 2000 dollars, gm is also inflating the cost because they know the repair needs to be done.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. The vehicle failed to start without warning. The contact charged the battery and started the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that it was not a battery issue. The technician suspected an ignition failure and planned to run a diagnostic test the following day. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2016
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2015
“The car was park! 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! *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2014
“The key can be pulled out or fall out of the ignition cylinder with almost no resistance in the run position, and door ajar, keys in ignition chimes no longer operate after first occurrence of key fallout. Key fallout occurs easier as time goes on, I am unsure of the exact date of first occurrence. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztec. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the ignition switch had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. The contact stated that after reversing out of a drive way, the vehicle made a loud noise as the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was placed into park and the ignition was turned off. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that a round object fell from under the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnose that the power steering failed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage 100,000 and the current mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2014
“Brake line that runs from the driver's side to the passenger side was rotted out, right in the middle, against the firewall. The other parts of the line are "ok". Seems to be a common thing in this chassis. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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).
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Aztek by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Pontiac Aztek reliable?
NHTSA has 216 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek. The most complained-about area is electrical system (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Aztek problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.