2001 Pontiac Aztek

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I LOST HEAT IN MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK, BROUGHT TO REPAIR SHOP, LEAKING INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS THE CAUSE. THEY SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM, GM HAS NEW SERVICE BULLETIN ON IT AND NEW DESIGN. COST TO REPAIR 794.00 CAR HAS 43203 MILES. CALLED GM AND THEY WILL NOT HELP, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW ITS A BAD GASKET DESIGN ON AND AFFECTING ABOUT EVERY GM VEHICLE WITH THE 3.4L V^ ENGINE. I PURCHASED NEW AND EXPECT GM TO COVER THESE COSTS. AND AM CURIOUS WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED?*JB

• 12/13/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT DEFECTIVE AND THE CONTACT WAS LOCKED IN THE VEHICLE, AND WITHOUT ANY LIGHTS. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN OF THIS POSSIBLY HAPPENING AGAIN. THE LIGHTS, DOORS AND WINDOWS FAILED ON A REGULAR BASIS. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

• 12/06/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  VEHICLE BEGAN RUNNING POORLY WITH DECREASED GAS MILEAGE, SAT IN VEHICLE WHILE IDLING AND NOTICED ROUGH IDLE. SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED 10 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED AND WOULD NO LONGER IDLE AT ALL. SAME PROBLEM THE FOLLOWING MORNING, NEEDED A MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY. REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, VACUUM LINE AND OIL CHANGE. (GAS IN OIL) *TR

• 12/06/2002· POWER TRAIN

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND SHE STOPS ON A LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN SHE STEPS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE STILL MOVES FORWARD. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THEY HAD FIXED IT BUT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THE SHOP SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL THERE. TS

• 12/04/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK IN NOVEMBER OF 2003. SINCE THEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAKING GASKET REQUIRING A REPAIR OF $750, WHICH I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED IS NOT AN USUAL PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SOME VERY ODD THINGS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE: 1.WHEN ON AN INCLINE, ONCE I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTS TO ROLL BACK, WHICH RISKS ME STRIKING ANYTHING BEHIND ME. THIS REQUIRES ME TO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MY RIGHT FOOT ON THE GAS AND SIMULTANEOUSLY LIFT OFF THE BRAKE AS I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. 2.WHEN ON A LEVEL SURFACE AS SOON AS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS RELEASED VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN PRIOR TO APPLYING GAS. 3.STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN EVEN THE SLIGHTEST WIND, AND OFTEN FEELS LIKE IT WILL VEER OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THIS TO THAT EXTENT IN ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED, INCLUDING MINI VANS, FULL SIZE VANS, CARS OR TRUCKS. 4.VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT BURNING SMELL AS YET UNABLE TO BE IDENTIFIED BY A MECHANIC, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE HYPOTHESISED THAT IT MIGHT BE THE RESULT OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR BEING LOWER TO THE GROUND IN SOME AREAS AND MORE PRONE TO CATCH DEBRIS ON THE ROAD, FOR EXAMPLE PLASTIC BAGS, WHICH THEN STICK AND MELT TO IT.

• 12/02/2004· AIR BAGS

  WHEN SHUTTING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK

• 11/28/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES MY FUEL GAUGE BECAME UNRELIABLE. ONCE THE FUEL LEVEL WOULD GET BELOW HALF A TANK, THE GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD START BOUNCING AROUND. IT WOULD GO FROM HALF A TANK TO A FULL TANK TO AN EMPTY TANK EVEN SETTING OFF THE FUEL LIGHT. I DEALT WITH THIS FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND THEN IT QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER. NOW THE NEEDLE NEVER DROPS BELOW 3/4 OF A TANK. *JB

• 11/22/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BOUGHT 2001 AZTEC BECAUSE I HAD ALWAYS LIKED THE DESIGN. HAD CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS AND BRAKES WERE SQUEALING. TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED CLEANING. DIDN'T HELP. TOOK BACK AND THEN THEY WANTED TO REPLACE THE PADS,WHICH THEY SAID WEREN'T ORIGINAL GM PADS(EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE INSPECTED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT) AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THAT WASN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. TOOK IT 2 SERVICE CENTER OUTSIDE OF DEALERSHIP AND BRAKE PADS WERE FINE JUST EMITTED A LOT OF BRAKE DUST THEY BOTH SAID. HEAD LIGHTS SOMEWHAT FLICKER WHEN DRIVING. DUAL CLIMATE CONTROL PASSENGER SIDE LIGHT ON TEMP WENT OUT. ON TAILLIGHTS THE FINISH IS COMING OFF(A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE VEHICLES BEING CHEAP GRADE PLASTIC). THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW BUTTON SOMETIMES DOESN'T WORK AND THE ENTIRE UNIT FELL THROUGH AND HAD TO GET INSIDE OF DOOR TO PUSH IT BACK THROUGH TO GET WINDOW UP BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING(ANOTHER PROBLEM A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE).IT SEEMS THESE VEHICLES HAVE DEFECTIVE GAS GAUGES. MINE WENT OUT AFTER MARATHON GAS HAD BAD GAS AND THE COMPANY HAD TO REPLACE EVERYONE'S SENSORS. I DON'T THINK IT WAS THE GAS. THE GAS GAUGE ALWAYS MOVES UP AND DOWN STILL AND WHEN IDLING GOES DOWN. THE SES LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR TEMP GOES OUT. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE COMP SAID TEMP CONTROL MODULATOR PLUG WAS DIRTY. HAD PLUG CLEANED AND REMEDIED PROBLEM. 2 WEEKS LATER THE SAME HAPPENED AGAIN AND 5 MIN AFTER THE SES LIGHT CAME ON THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. NOW BOTH LIGHTS ARE ON AND THIS VEHICLE NEVER HAS NOTHING GOING RIGHT. *JB

• 11/21/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE HAS LOST ALL POWER 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BY DEALER AFTER FIRST INCIDENT WHERE CAR DIED TWICE IN ONE DAY--ONCE UPON BACKING UP/ONCE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE UPON STARTUP. PROBLEM INTERMITTENT -- WILL RUN OKAY FOR SEVERAL DAYS THEN SHUTDOWN UPON STARTUP. *AK

• 11/19/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  SMELLED GAS FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC DETERMINED FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACK WELD...GAS GAUGE MALFUNCTION..SAYS TANK IS EMPTY WHEN FULL AND VISE VERSA.. *TR

• 11/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  BOUGHT AZTEK USED ON 6/2/04 46,000 MILES. ON 11/12/04 WHEN I GOT HOME FROM WORK, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND SMELLED ANTIFREEZE. CHECKED UNDER HOOD AND SAW ANTI- FREEZE LEAKING FROM ENGINE. IT WAS COMING FROM HEAD GASKET. *JB

• 11/13/2002· POWER TRAIN

  CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND VEHICLE HAS HARD SHIFTING CAUSING THE VEHICAL TO SURGE FORWARD. MR

• 11/07/2005· EQUIPMENT

  CONDENSER BROKE FOR AIR CONDITIONER. I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON JUST ABOUT EVERY AZTEK! *NM

• 11/07/2005· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHEN MY WIFE DROVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS A LOAD SOUND CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ERRATICALLY. SHE PUSHED THE ONSTAR BUTTON AND THEY TOLD HER THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY HAD TO REBUILD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION AND EVEN SERVICE SOME PARTS FOR THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES, THIS IS NOT NORMAL! *NM

• 11/07/2003· AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG LIGHT INDICATOR FLASHED THEN IT STAYED ILLUMINATED. ON FEBRUARY 2002 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE. EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER PROBLEM WAS STILL OCCURRING. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK

• 11/07/2001· TIRES

  I HIT A POTHOLE AT 25 MPH AND WITHIN 1/2 MILE THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. ON INSPECTION, THE TIRE HAD WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SLASH MARK ON THE SIDEWALL, PROCEEDING INTO THE TREAD. I TOOK THE TIRE TO DANIELS PONTIAC IN GENEVA NY AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A ROADHAZARD PROBLEM, SO THERE WOULD BE NO COVERAGE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A BACKORDER ON THIS TIRE SO IT MAY TAKE UP TO A WEEK TO GET A NEW TIRE. I AM FORCED TO RIDE ON THE DONUT SPARE TIRE IN THE MEANTIME. I CONTACTED A FIRESTONE REP. DOUG HILL WHO WOULD ONLY OFFER TO HAVE THE TIRE PICKED UP AND AFTER INSPECTION WILL COVER NO MORE THAN 50% FOR THE COST OF THE TIRE. AT THIS POINT, THE MONEY IS THE LEAST OF MY CONCERN FOR ONE TIRE. AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS TIRE, ON BOTH THE NHTSA SITE AND OTHER WEBSITES, I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY DRIVING WITH THESE TIRES. MR. HILL STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE TIRES, HENCE FIRESTONE WILL NOT COVER ANYTHING BEYONE 50% FOR THIS ONE TIRE. I HOPE THAT THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY OF THIS TIRE MODEL WILL BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY, AS THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PATTERN OF PROBLEMS WITH IT. OBVIOUSLY FIRESTONE WILL NOT ADMIT TO ANY CULPABILITY, NOR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE TIRE, UNLESS FORCED TO DO SO. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/70R/16)

• 11/06/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,AIR BAGS,INTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  FUEL LEAKAGE: SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING-INABILITY TO MAKE A GOOD SEAL... TANK-LEAKAGE FUEL/EMISSIONS- DETECT PROBLEM CURRENTLY PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY NEED PIN REPLACE: WISH TO HAVE ALL CHECKED OUT! SAFETY CHILD SEAT HOLDER MAY NOT BE FUNCTIONAL. *TR

• 11/03/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,TIRES

  WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS IF IT WAS FALLING OUT, THE TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER LOST, AND HATCH (REAR) WOULD NOT OPEN. *SC

• 11/03/2004· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SAW FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER HER VEHICLE IN HER DRIVEWAY. SHE SAYS SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, WHO SAID IT WAS HER RADIATOR. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET A SECOND OPINION, THAT MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE RADIATOR, AIR CONDITIONING, AND THE ENGINE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SHE SAYS HER VEHICLE IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE RUSTING AND MUST BE REPLACED. *JB *SC

• 11/01/2006· EQUIPMENT

  AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE. HAD TO REPLACE CONDENSER BECAUSE OF FAULTY BRACKET. *NM

• 11/01/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT

  FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING,COULD NOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL THERE WAS. DEALER SAID FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT. NOTICE OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE AT 50,000 MILES. ALSO AC ALSO WENT OUT AT 50,000 DEFECTED BRACKET GM WILL NOT BACK UP. *NM

• 11/01/2002· SEAT BELTS

  DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT LOCK DOWN AND STAY FIRM AT THE HIP, THEREFORE THE UPPER BELT IS SO LOOSE THAT THE CONSUMER IS NOT CONFINED INTO THE SEAT. *JG

• 11/01/2002· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE SHIFTING INTO ANOTHER GEAR, THE GEAR SHIFT GOT STUCK AND A GRINDING NOISE APPEAR. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

• 10/29/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER COMPLETELY, AND INDICATING LOSS OF ABS SYSTEM. REPLACING FUSES RETURNED THE CAR TO THE ROAD, BUT HAPPENED AT LEAST TWICE MORE WITHIN THE SUBSEQUENT WEEK. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO EVENTUALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM AFTER 3 DAYS. PART OF THE WIRING HARNESS WAS ROUTED IMPROPERLY UNDER THE TOP DRIVER'S SIDE FLEX MOTOR MOUNT. EACH TIME THE MOTOR MOUNT WOULD FLEX UNDER DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE METAL WOULD ERODE THE PROTECTIVE SHIELDING AROUND THE HARNESS AND THE WIRES THEMSELVES. WIRES AND HARNESS WERE REPAIRED AND RE-ROUTED OVER THE MOUNT AND SECURED PROPERLY.

• 10/29/2004· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED FUNCTIONING AT AROUND 60,000 MILES. AC CONDENSER WAS REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY REPAIR TECH THAT THERE WAS A BRACKET THAT WAS POORLY MADE, AND THAT BRACKET WOULD PUNCH HOLES IN THE CONDENSER. TECH SAID HE HAD SEEN 3 EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

• 10/29/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, SINCE THEN: HAD TO REPLACE ELECTRICAL "MEMORY" TWICE BECAUSE THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT WOULDN'T RESET AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; THE CONDENSER LEAKED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULDN'T WORK; NOW, MY GAS GAGE GOES UP TO FULL, THEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON, THEN IT RETURNS TO FULL AND VICE VERSA. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR! TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR ON THAT ISSUE TOMORROW. THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS SHAKY - WHENEVER I TRY TO BRAKE, IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES DON'T GRAB PROPERLY AND IT TAKES WAY TOO LONG TO STOP. THEY CHECKED MY BRAKES AND THEY ARE FINE. ALSO HAVING THE DEALER LOOK AT MY TAIL LIGHT COVERS AND ROOF BRAKE LIGHT COVER TOMORROW, THEY ARE DISCOLORED AS IF ACID IS EATING AWAY THE TOP PART OF THE COVER. LASTLY, THE "K" PART OF THE "AZTEC" ON THE BACK WINDOW BROKE OFF WHILE WASHING THE CAR! AND I ONLY USE A SPONGE!*AK

• 10/29/2001· STRUCTURE

  BACK DOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE IS TIED INTO BACK WHEEL WELD. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH BACK DOORS SHUT INTO BACK WHEEL WELLS, MUD FROZE ON THE WHEEL WELLS AND KEPT THE BACK DOORS FROM OPENING, CONSUMER HAD TO CHIP OFF THE MUD IN ORDER TO OPEN THE BACK DOORS. *JB

• 10/26/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,EQUIPMENT

  WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THING GO WRONG WITH OUR 2001 AZTEK WE PURCHASED UNDER 40,000 MILES, NOW HAS ABOUT 60, 000- THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED- MECHANIC SAID THAT THEY HAD TO HAVE BEEN LIKE THAT FROM MANUFACTURER, AS HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THAT BAD IN A CAR OF THAT AGE- AIR CONDITIONER IS NOT WORKING- WENT ON THE WEB, AND IT LOOKS LIKE MANY OWNERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS DUE TO CRACKED/LEAKING COMPRESSORS- ALSO, FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED- NEEDLE IS VERY SPORADIC, AND YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS YOU HAVE- THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM- HAD INTERIOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AS WELL- THIS WAS THE ONLY THING FIXED BY PONTIAC- I RECENTLY CONTACTED PONTIAC, WHO WAS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ISSUES. *JB

• 10/23/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  UPON STARTING WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD, VEHICLE MADE LOUD CLUNKING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, DEALERSHIP CALLED. WE WERE TOLD TO DRIVE CAR TO DEALER. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION ENGINE WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH THE INCORRECT PISTON ROD PINS CAUSING THEM TO NOT BE LUBRICATED. ENGINE WAS REPLACED. *LA

• 10/23/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED, UPON APPROACHING STOP SIGN THE BRAKES FAILED RESULTING IN NEAR COLLISION WITH SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER. THE BRAKES BEGAN TO WORK BUT WITHOUT POWER ASSIST. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INSTRUCTED US TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INVESTIGATION COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND TO BE FILLED WITH WATER AND THE WIRING HARNESS CONTROLLING THE ABS, BRAKE SENSOR, FUEL GAUGE, AND FUEL SENDER WAS CORRODED. *LA

• 10/19/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFire

  GRADUAL LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE. BRAKE FLUID FROM THE LEAKING BRAKE LINE DRIPPED ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING A FIRE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS RECONSTRUCTED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC. NO DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. *TR

• 10/19/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,INTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. FIVE MONTHS AGO THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT REPLACED TWO OXYGEN SENSORS; ONE IN MAY 2005, AND ONE IN AUGUST 2005. THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO AUTO ZONE TODAY AND THEIR COMPUTER SHOWED HER THAT SHE NEEDED ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD GONE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE ONLY THING SHOWING UP WAS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR. *AK

• 10/18/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  PURCHASED THE PONTIAC 2001 AZTEK FROM A DEALER USED. THE FIRST WEEK THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SECOND WEEK THE SERVICE VEHICLE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE THERMOMETER GAUGE WAS STUCK IN COLD, TOOK THE CAR TO CHECKERS AUTOPARTS TO DIAGNOSE. WAS A BAD THERMOSTAT. ANOTHER WEEK LATER THE ENGINE STARTED OVERHEATING. STOPPED CHECKED COOLANT. WAS GONE OUT OF THE RESERVOIR, WHICH I JUST HAD FILLED AT JIFFY LUBE THAT MORNING. STOPPED BY THEM AGAIN, THEY CHECKED THE LIQUIDS, FOUND COOLANT MIXED IN WITH THE OIL. ADVISED NOT TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE IT CAN MESS UP THE ENGINE. CALLED DEALER AND HAD THEM TOW IT. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR THE PAST 4 DAYS. STATED THAT IT WAS THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. WONDERING IF THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING IT. AND ALSO IF PONTIAC WOULD FIX IT. *TR

• 10/18/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I BOUGHT A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK IN NOVEMBER OF 2001. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE GAS GAUGE STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. THE GAUGE SAYS THE TANK IS FULL WHEN IT'S EMPTY AND VISE VERSA. IT GOES UP AND DOWN CONTINUALLY. MY DAD HAS A 2001 GM VEHICLE ALSO AND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

• 10/16/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS

  I AM VERY DISTURBED BY THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS THE 2ND "NEW" CAR I HAVE BOUGHT FROM TOM PEDENS AND IT IS ALSO THE 2ND "LEMON" I TRADED IN A 2000 GRAND PRIX BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE TROUBLE I WAS HAVING PLUS I LOST $2,000 ON THE TRADE-IN, BUT I NEEDED A DEPENDABLE CAR, AND I CHOSE THE "AZTEC" AND RECEIVED ANOTHER LEMON. NOW WHAT DO I DO? THE MECHANICS SAY THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE RATTLES, REMOTE, OR THE LATCH, SO DID I SPEND $22,000 FOR ANOTHER CAR? I WORK HARD FOR MY MONEY AND LOOK OUT FOR THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN. REALLY HOW SAFE ARE THEY, WHEN THEY GET IN A BRAND NEW CAR THAT IS FALLING APART? PLEASE HELP ME!!!! *AK

• 10/14/2013· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  AS I HAVE SEEN OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SPECIFIC CAR STATE ON YOUR SITE, MY FUEL TANK HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK, AND I WAS TOLD BY GM THAT I AM OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE IT IS "OUT OF RECALL SINCE 2011," EVEN THOUGH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL TANK! SO NOW I AM DRIVING AROUND IN, ESSENTIALLY, A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL, HAVING TO SPEND $800 TO REPLACE A GAS TANK THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED BY GM IN 2007, AT NO COST, BECAUSE GM FAILED TO NOTIFY ME. THIS IS VILE. TO THINK THAT GM DOESN'T CARE IF OWNERS OF THEIR CARS ARE DRIVING AROUND IN POTENTIAL FIREBOMBS, THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT, IS SICKENING. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW, AND CERTAINLY DESERVED TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT PROBLEMS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY LIFE-THREATENING, AND OFFERS TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE PARTS, THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SENT TO ME, AS PER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V349000. *TR

• 10/14/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS OPEN AND CLOSE INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN BECAUSE A LIGHT WAS ON, RESULTING IN A SHORT AND NO LIGHTS ON AT ALL. *AK

• 10/12/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DEFECTIVE WELD ON THE FILL SPOUT LOCATED ON THE FUEL TANK CAUSES A STRONG GAS SMELL AND FUEL DAMPENING AROUND THE FILL NOZZLE. *TR

• 10/09/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  IN EARLY JULY, 2008, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED GAS CAP BECAUSE DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATED FUEL VAPORS ESCAPING. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NEXT DAY. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, EXPLANATION WAS THAT THE CODES MUST HAVE NOT BEEN RESET. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NEXT DAY. DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATED THAT FUEL VAPORS ARE ESCAPING. CRACK @ FUEL FILL TUBE IS DIAGNOSED. I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER (GM) ABOUT THIS IN JANUARY 2008. THE LETTER INDICATED THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE IF THIS PROBLEM MADE IT NECESSARY, BUT NOT TO REPAIR UNLESS INDICATED (THERE WAS NO RECALL). THE PART WAS ORDERED MID-AUGUST OF 2008. I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PARTS IN INVENTORY, NATIONWIDE. AFTER COMPLAINING TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WOULD SHIP ON SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2008. AS OF OCTOBER 9TH, THERE IS STILL NO PART, STILL NO REPAIR. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON, FUEL VAPORS ARE STILL ESCAPING FROM THE VEHICLE. IS THIS SAFE??? *TR

• 10/09/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY PONTIAC AZTEC MAIN POWER CONTROL MODULE (A COMPUTER UNIT CONTROLLING EVERY ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS IN THE CAR INCLUDING STARTING THE CAR,CAR KEYS FUNCTION,WORKING EVERY CAR LIGHTS,OPENING DOORS,CONTROLLING BATTERY OUTPUT,SECURITY SYSTEM, AMONG OTHERS), WAS DEFECTIVE, DEAD, AND OUT OF ORDER .THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE WERE SOME WEAK CLICKS YOU CAN HARDLY HEAR AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS COMING FROM WHEN YOU STOP THE CAR AND THEN IT DIES OUT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE C.D. PLAYER WAS EJECTING C.D. WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED MY SUV WAS LIKE A DEAD MOUNTAIN, I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPEN ONE MORNING WHILE THE CAR WAS AT A STAND STILL. YOU PUT THE CAR KEY TO START IT AND IT GETS STUCK! YOU TRY TO JUMP STARTED BUT IT IS NOT THE BATTERY. YOU CANT DO NOTHING TO IT. PLUS, ALTHOUGH ITS AN UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM,OR CAR PART, ONLY THE DEALER CAN FIX IT AND NOBODY ELSE. SO AFTER YOU TOW IT TO THEM YOU ARE UNDER THEIR MERCY TO TELL YOU WHATEVER THEY LIKE TO TELL FOR HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO BE FIXED, AND WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED, IT IS LIKE A MONOPOLY, AND IT IS NOT FAIR. WHAT IF THAT MODULE DIES WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY? AND WHAT IF IT DIES WHILE DOORS ARE LOOKED, YOU ARE DRIVING, IT LOOKS THE DRIVER IN INSIDE THE CAR, AND YOU CANT GET OUT WHILE IT IS MOVING FROM WHAT EVER CHARGE LEFT? IT IS REALLY A SCARY FEELING? AND VERY EMOTIONALLY STRESSFUL WHEN I AM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO START IT. BUT I WAS LUCKY IT HAPPENED IN MY HOME GARAGE! PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND LET THE MANUFACTURE KNOW THEY CAN NOT BE CHEAP ON THAT PART WHICH CONTROL EVERYTHING AS I DESCRIBED ABOVE. MAY BE AS A SOLUTION TO THIS COMPLEXES-FUNCTIONED FAILURE IS TO DIVERSIFY THE FUNCTIONS ON MANY SMALL AND MULTIPLE MODULES SO AS TO BE EASY TO BE FIXED. PUT MORE WARNING ABOUT WHAT TO DO IF IT FAILS ON THE ROAD, IN THEIR CATALOGUE( I HAVE NO CLUE OF WHAT TO DO) PLEASE PREVENT THIS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS FAILURE TO HAPPEN TO ANOTHER FELLOW CITIZEN AND ON THE ROAD? PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU. *JB

• 10/07/2005· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL,VISIBILITY,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  PURCHASED MY 2001 AZTEK IN OCTOBER 2000. EVERY YEAR (WINTER) SINCE 2001, I HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BECAUSE I LOSE MY TRACTION CONTROL WHICH AUTOMATICALLY TAKES OUT MY ABS BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP DOESN'T HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, CONSIDERING WHERE I LIVE. THERE ARE 5 INCIDENT DATES, THUS FAR. *JB

• 10/06/2003· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

  WHEN I BOUGHT MY 2001 AZTEK IN SEPTEMBER 2001, I WAS TOLD BY THE SALESPERSON THAT IT WOULD BE A DEPENDABLE DURABLE CAR. IT HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT. WILL NOT KEEP ALIGNMENT SO THE TIRES HAVE WORN PREMATURELY. THE SEAL AROUND THE PASSENGER DOOR LEAKED CAUSING CARPET DAMAGE WHICH WAS NOT REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER HAD A CRACK AND ONE WEEK AFTER REPLACEMENT, THE CAR RAN HOT. LUCKILY, ALL OF THIS HAPPENED UNDER WARRANTY. ONE WEEK AFTER THE CONDENSER WAS REPLACED, THE CAR RAN HOT. ONE WEEK AFTER THE INTAKE WAS FIXED, IT RAN HOT AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADDED COOLANT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE SAME DAY IT RAN HOT AGAIN (SATURDAY). I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN ON MONDAY MORNING AT 35,946 MILES. THEY DROVE THE CAR 33 MILES TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD GET HOT. IT WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH 35,979 MILES AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD BRAKE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THERE IS A TICKING NOISE UNDERNEATH IN FRONT AND BACK, AND THE CAR FEELS UNSTABLE ON THE ROAD. OVERALL I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THE CAR AND WOULD LIKE FOR THE DEALER TO BUY THE CAR BACK AT FULL PURCHASE PRICE. *JB

• 10/03/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR ONTO THE PAVEMENT. UPON CLOSER OBSERVATION I DETERMINED THAT THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK WAS THE JOINT WERE THE FUEL FILLER NECK ENTERS THE FUEL TANK. THIS JOINT APPEARS TO BE LEAKING THROUGH THE PLASTIC WELD. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. BUT IT IS MY INTENTION TO TRY AND GET GM TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. *TR

• 10/03/2001· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TIRES

  PLEASE IF YOU COULD HELP! I HAVE A THREE YEAR OLD DAGHTER. IF IT COULD BE PREVENTED, PLEASE HELP. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

• 10/01/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CRACKED WELD. *AK *NM

• 10/01/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

  AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD REMAIN ON. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD ALSO FAIL. VEHICLE WOULD ACT ERRATICALLY. HAD VEHICLE TEST DRIVEN TWICE BY MECHANIC BEFORE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED. MECHANIC DISABLED AIR BAG, BUT COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.*AK

• 09/29/2004· VISIBILITY

  WHIE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM WINDSHIELD WIPER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THEY GOT STUCK HALF WAY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *AK

• 09/28/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THE FUEL TANK OF MY 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK BEGAN TO LEAK AT THE NECK(OF THE TANK). AT MY DEALERSHIP (MARIETTA GMC, PONTIAC) I WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PROCEDURE WAS TO REPLACE THE TANK AT A COST OF $ 950.00 TO ME. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED VIA RECALL. IF MY HOME HAD GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS OR FURNACES IN THE GARAGE I MOST LIKELY WOULD NOT BE WRITING THIS LETTER, BECAUSE THE FIRST INDICATION I HAD OF THIS PROBLEM WAS WITH THE LEAKAGE INSIDE MY GARAGE, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. CLEARLY THIS IS A FAILURE OF MATERIALS AS THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY ABUSE TO THE TANK IN ANY MANNER. *NM

• 09/25/2001· SUSPENSION

  FRONT WHEELS CASTER ARE OFF AND UNEVEN, UNABLE TO ALIGN/AJUST FRONT WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WANTED BODY SHOP TO BEND FRONT FRAME TO MAKE ADJUSTMENT. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.*AK

• 09/24/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AROLLOVER COLLISION AT HIGHWAY SPEED. UPON IMPACT NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJUIES. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLMNEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE SUDDENLY SWERVED OFF ROAD AND ROLLED. MR