2004 Pontiac Aztek: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 67 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (15% of complaints); the 2005 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 67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Fuel tank is leaking; there is a history of a recall that has never been repaired on this vehicle. It is a safety issue.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2020
“My car turn off on my children and I on the highway thank god we was able to coast on the side of the road. My mechanic said that my ignition control module went out outta no where not only that crankshaft sensor and fuel line exhausted system something wrong engine light still on. With that being said I'm great my children was not hurt doing this ordeal. I learned that these cars have few complaints. But do have some issues with electrical system and vacuum how's exhausted. Just got the car I march and found out bout this recall I'm so disappointed scared to drive this car right now.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2018
“I was driving down the highway for 45 minutes and when got home notice there was gas coming from my pontiac aztec. Did some research and notice there's a recall. Call buick and they told me my VIN is not cover under the recall. Really?”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have not driven my vehicle for 2 months because my mechanic told me my valve cover gaskets were leaking on to my exhaust manifold and that it why it was smoking when we stopped. I talked to my local gm dealer and they said it is not part of the recall so they could not help, so I have three choices let it sit in my driveway, pay several hundred dollars to get it fixed or drive it till it starts on fire. It has the 3800 motor like all the other cars in the recall. I can get a letter from my mechanic if needed.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac aztek. While refueling the vehicle, the contact was notified that fuel was spilling onto the ground. The contact noticed that the weld of the fuel line was fractured. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline) and NHTSA campaign number: 03v454000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 104,000. Updated 09/14/15*lj”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2015
“I have been havibg issues with my call stalling and fuel leakage fpr awhile now and while checking the website for recalls I noticed there were 4 recalls on my car. When called to try and have the recalls fixed, I was told that my cars VIN wasn't on the list for any recalls. But the issues described in the recall is the exact issue I have been experiencing fir the last year or so. Why not let me bring the car in to be checked and if the issue my car is having is the parts on the recall list, just replace them. But no not gm, they refused to even look at the car. So disappointed in gm, especially since I just bought another gm vehicle. Looking in to replacing it now.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 pontiac aztek. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle accelerated independently and the check engine, fuel tank, and fuel pressure warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2015
“Seems like the van has been leaking fuel for sometime now as an odor of gas could be smelled when driving but never realized it until the van was parked on the carport and saw a puddle of fuel on the ground. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2014
“Driving car on road and car quit running, electrical started flashing. Pulled over and ignition switch would only go to acc. Mode, it would not turn to off position. I had car towed to my house. The ignition will only go to acc. Mode will not turn to off position where key can be removed..unhooked battery terminal and car is still parked. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2014
“The air bags deployed burning drivers clothes on the left wrist. The drivers right kneecap was fractured by hitting the dash when the vehicle struck a power pole. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.
Remedy: 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.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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 2004 Pontiac Aztek reliable?
NHTSA has 67 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Pontiac Aztek. The most complained-about area is electrical system (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Pontiac Aztek problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 57,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Pontiac Aztek have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage. 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.