2003 Pontiac Aztek

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

• 12/25/2004· STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CREAKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED. ALSO, BURNING SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. GASKETS REPLACED ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ALSO THE THROTTLE GASKET REPLACED.*AK

• 12/23/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

  I BOUGHT MY GRAND PRIX FROM CHIP BANKS IN DUQUOIN, IL. IN AUGUST OF 2006 AND IT HAD ONLY 39,500 AFTER OWNING IT FOR 4 MONTHS THE HEAD STARTED TO MISFIRE. I HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID IT HAD BEEN HEALY COILED TO JUST TEMPORARILY FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD FIX MY CAR BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I DID NOT BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT AFFORD IT AND IT DID NOT HAVE VERY MANY MILES ON IT SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE OKAY. I HAD IT HEALY COILED TO REPAIR IT AND IT HELD FOR 8 MONTHS AND NOW ALL THE OTHER ROCKER ARMS ARE NEEDING HEALY COILED IN BECAUSE THEY ARE WORN OUT AND THEY ARE DROPPING THE PUSH ROD INTO MY HEAD. I BOUGHT A NEW HEAD FOR MY CAR AND HAD IT INSTALLED AND NOW THE OTHER HEAD IS DOING THE SAME THING. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM THE MOTHER OF FOUR AND I AM LOW INCOME I CALLED CHIP BANKS AND THEY WILL NOT HELP ME AND I HAVE NO WAY TO GET MY KIDS AROUND. ONE THING ABOUT MY CAR IS ADVANCED AUTO WHERE I GOT MY HEAD FROM HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER IT BECAUSE IT HAD A 8 MM BOLT PATTERN SO I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HELPS ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE OR NOT. I GAVE $13,000.00 FOR THIS CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CAR AND I DON'T WANT ANOTHER CAR I LOVE MY GRAND PRIX I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THE HEADS HAVE BEEN RECALLED OR SOMETHING. I TRIED TO GO ON CAR FAX.COM AND IT SAID MY CAR HAD ELEVEN REPORTS ON IT BUT I DO NOT OWN A CREDIT CARD SO I CANNOT PURCHASE IT TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT TELL ME IF THE CAR HAD EVER BEEN WRECKED OR THE ENGINE MESSED UP OR ANYTHING. THANK YOU. *TR

• 12/21/2006· STEERING,SUSPENSION

  I PURCHASED A USED 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK IN OCT OF 2006, IT HAS 43K MILES. THE NEXT DAY, I NOTICED A SQUEALING NOISE WHEN I TURNED, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISED IT WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING "ALL WHEEL DRIVE". ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I AM ON AN UNEVEN ROAD OR HIT A BUMP JUST RIGHT, THE VEHICLE SWERVES BADLY, SOMETIMES INTO THE OTHER LANE. I CALLED PONTIAC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD NOT JUST TO THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE BUT TO OTHERS ON THE ROADS ALSO. THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A DIAGNOSIS. I ADVISED THEM THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THE SAME THING & THESE PEOPLE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS & IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. I ADVISED PONTIAC THAT THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A MAJOR WRECK ONE DAY & THEY ARE GOING TO BE LIABLE FOR NOT RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM & FIXING IT. *JB

• 12/21/2004· STEERING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,STRUCTURE

  CONTINUAL EXPENSIVE REPAIR OF MY 2003 PONTIAC MONTANA. IN JAN. 2003.. DOOR HANDLES HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THEY SNAPPED. (UNDER WARRANTY). IN OCTOBER 2004... GAS TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE NOZZLE CAME LOOSE FROM THE TANK, $900 REPAIR TODAY.. 12/21/04 VAN DID NOT PASS INSPECTION DUE TO RIGHT TIE ROD LOOSE AND ALIGNMENT $300 (CAR HAS 48,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

• 12/17/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN HOT AND AFTER INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM AT HOME WE DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE COOLING FANS WERE NOT WORKING. WE DID NOT FIND ANY LEAKS OR DISCONNECTED BELTS OR HOSES. WE HAVE NOT HAD A PROFESSIONAL LOOK AT IT YET BUT WE ARE VERY CERTAIN THAT THE FANS ARE NOT COMING ON. *TR

• 12/16/2014· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE DATE OF THESE INCIDENTS, BUT I CAN SMELL FUMES COMING THROUGH THE VENTS WHEN I AM DRIVING, HAD TO GET THIS CHECKED A FEW WEEKS AGO. THE MECHANIC SAID THE GAS WAS LEAKING REPLACED THIS PART. I AM STILL SMELLING SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE AREA. I AM NOT SURE WHAT AND WHY. THE VEHICLE ALSO FEELS LIKE IT IS SHAKING WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES, AND THE BRAKES ARE FINE. IT USUALLY DOES IT WHEN I AM BRAKING AND ALSO WHEN I GO PAST 40MPH. IT HAS GOTTEN REALLY BAD THAT I AM THINKING ABOUT GETTING RID OF VEHICLE AND NOT HAVING A VEHICLE. ALSO, I CAN HEAR A CRANKING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I AM TURNING THAT MAKES ME THINK THE VEHICLE IS BREAKING IN HALF. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE GAS CAP LAST YEAR AS WELL FOR FUMES. *TR

• 12/15/2008· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT REPEATEDLY EXPERIENCES FAILURE WITH THE FRONT WHEEL OF HER VEHICLE. ON DECEMBER 9, 2003, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE HUB ASSEMBLY AND WHEEL BEARING TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURES RECURRED AND WHEN SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT BECAME UPSET WITH THE DEALER AND CALLED PONTIAC TO INFORM THEM THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE REPAIR AS WELL; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME BECAUSE IT OVERHEATED AND THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKES ILLUMINATED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND THAT THE ANITLOCK AND INTAKE MANIFOLD AND FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE CONTACT BEGAN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

• 12/08/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DASH LOSING DIFFERENT COMPONENT OPERATION. STARTED WITH FUEL GAUGE AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE THEN AFFECTED RADIO LIGHTS AND LCD DISPLAY. NOW VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER HAS BECOME ERRATIC AND UNTRUSTWORTHY. RADIO LIGHTS AND DISPLAY AN INCONVENIENCE BUT THE COMBINATION OF FUEL AND NOW THE SPEEDOMETER NOT READING PROPERLY IS CAUSING A CONCERN FOR SAFETY. AT THE RATE THIS IS GOING THE WHOLE DASH WILL BE MALFUNCTIONING SOON. ACCORDING TO WHAT I SEE THE PARTS ALONE CAN BE $300 - $500 PLUS THE REPAIR CHARGES. INTERNET HAS COUNTLESS ENTRIES ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON THE PONTIAC AZTEKS BUT NO SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE AND NO MENTIONING OF ANY RECALLS BY PONTIAC. WHY ISN'T THE NHTSA LOOKING INTO THIS WITH SO MANY PROBLEMS BEING SHARED ON THE INTERNET? WHY ARE THE OWNERS BEING REQUIRED TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS SINCE IT'S SUCH A WIDESPREAD AZTEK ISSUE? *TR

• 12/06/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CAR STALLED ON ME WHILE ON A BUSY ROAD. ENDED UP BEING RELATED TO THE CARS PASSLOCK SYSTEM. COST $500 FOR TOWING AND REPAIRS. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING AGAIN AS CAR STALLED ON ME WHILE ON THE ROAD AGAIN ON 12/11/2007 AND WOULD NOT START UP AGAIN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ON LATE 90'S EARLY 2000'S GM VEHICLES. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE, I WOULD HATE TO IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AS EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN ON THE CAR (I.E. POWER STEERING). VERY DANGEROUS!!! *TR

• 12/05/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  3.1L INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAK. *TR

• 12/01/2015· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  THE SMELL OF GAS, CHANGING THE FUEL PUMP MORE THAN ONCE. PROBLEM READING THE LEVEL OF GAS. VEHICLE WAS DRIVING WHEN IT START SHAKING AND STOP(2ND TIME). THE VEHICLE WAS PARK AND COULD NOT START(1ST TIME).

• 11/30/2004· VISIBILITYFire

  A FEW WEEKS AGO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ON MY 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK, AFTER SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE WIPERS BEGAN TO WORK. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24TH, WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ONCE AGAIN. WHILE TRYING TO SHUT THE WIPERS ON AND OFF TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD, SMOKE THEN FILLED THE PASSANGER COMPARTMENT. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND OPENED THE HOOD, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS CHARRED APPEARING TO HAVE BEEN ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND RESPONDED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT VERIFIED ANY FIRE THAT EXSISTED WAS EXTINGUISHED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT APPEARS AN ELECTRICAL HARNESS IS DAMAGED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS PROBLEM IS NOT COVED UNDER WARRENTY BECAUSE A EMERGENCY RESPONCE SIREN WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, THIS ITEM WAS NOT OPERATING AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE FULL DAMAGE REPORT FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THEY ARE WILLING TO HONOR THE VEHICLES WARRENTY ON THIS ITEM.*AK

• 11/26/2003· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  ON NOV. 25 & 26, WHILE PULLING UP TO A RED LIGHT (2 TIMES) AND ONLY TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 3 TO 5 MPH MY PONTIAC AZTEK (2003) HAS FELT LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE RELEASED (DISENGAGED WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL) AND HAS CAUSED ME TO STOP 5 TO 10 FEET BEYOND THE POINT WHERE I INTENDED TO STOP. THE FEELING WAS THAT OF APPLYING YOUR BRAKES ON A WET ROAD AND YOUR ABS SYSTEM KICKS IN. HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE, INSTEAD OF A REPEATED APPLY, RELEASE, APPLY BRAKING FEELING, IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES RELEASED ON THE ONE TIME AND THEN FULLY APPLIED AS IT SHOULD HAVE DONE. *LA

• 11/25/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK YESTERDAY FROM A USED CAR DEALER, AND TODAY THE FUEL SYSTEM IS LEAKING GAS. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN WRECKED. I HAVE NOT ORDERED A CARFAX TO VERIFY HIM. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ALREADY BUT A PONTIAC MECHANIC SAID OVER THE PHONE THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. IT SEEMS LIKE MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST BECAUSE OF SO MANY SIMILARITIES. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 21,000 UNITS AFFECTED BY THE CURRENT RECALLS. IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM ACCURATE THAT ALL OF THOSE FUEL SYSTEMS WERE CONSIDERED FAULTY AND THAT MY AZTEK'S FUEL SYSTEM IS CONSIDERED FINE WHEN IT IS LEAKING GAS. MY AZTEK WAS MANUFACTURED IN NOVEMBER 2002. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME. THE DEALER SWORE THE PROBLEM WAS JUST A LOOSE GAS CAP AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH IT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE TANK WAS FILLED JUST ABOVE EMPTY AND I FILLED THE TANK THAT EVENING WITH 15.8 GALLONS OF 87 OCTANE GAS AND WOKE UP TODAY WITH THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF MY HOME SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT THE GAS IS LEAKING FROM AROUND THE JOINT BETWEEN THE FILLER HOSE AND THE FUEL TANK. THE LEAK IS NOT HEAVY OR FLOWING IT IS JUST STEADILY SEEPING. THE VEHICLE STILL DRIVES REALLY SMOOTH. BUT I AM NOT SURE HOW EXPLOSIVE A GAS LEAK IS AND I AM NOT DRIVING IT UNTIL I DO. I HAVE A SCAN GAUGE AND IT ESTIMATES THE CAR GETTING AROUND 7MPG. THE VEHICLE HAS 92,500 MILES ON IT AND ONLY ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE SEEM IDENTICAL. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THIS FUEL LEAK IS FROM A COMMON FAULTY PART THAT THE MANUFACTURER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR. *TR

• 11/20/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHERFire

  CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND TOTALLED MY CAR. MY HOME ALMOST BURNED TO THE GROUND. *TR

• 11/07/2015· STEERING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  KEY KEEPS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION, STEERING COLUMN GETS STUCK.FUEL TANK IS LEAKING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND STAYING ALONG WITH SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT. FUEL PUMP KEEPS GOING OUT REPLACED 3 TIMES.

• 11/05/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  SINCE OCTOBER 31ST. MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF ABOUT 15 WHILE DRIVING, I LOSE POWER OF MY STEERING AND CANNOT MOVE MY CAR. I SAW TODAY THAT THERE IS A GM IGNITION RECALL BUT MY CAR IS NOT INVOLVED WHEN I CALL GM.

• 11/05/2003· TIRES

  WHILE DRIVING, THE TIRES VALVES CAME OFF. *AK THE RIGHT FRONT AND BOTH REAR TIRE VALVES TIPS BLEW OFF DURING AN AIR PRESSURE CHECK. THE VALVE CORE BROKE OFF INSIDE THE VALVE WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. *PH *JB

• 11/04/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL CELL CRACKED WHERE NECK MEETS BODY OF FUEL CELL. COULD SMELL IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK BUT NO LEAK WAS EVER SEEN, UNTIL A FEW WEEKS LATER. *NM

• 11/02/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,EQUIPMENT

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC. ON OCTOBER 26, 2006, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THESE FAILURES. SOON AFTER HER WARRANTY EXPIRED, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT A BLOWER MOTOR WAS NEEDED FOR THE A/C SYSTEM AND SHE PAID FOR THE REPAIR. ON JANUARY 9, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A BATTERY. ON OCTOBER 30, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR WINTERIZING AND REGULAR SERVICE MAINTENANCE. A NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PAID $3,023 FOR THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,143 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,180. THE DEALER STATED PERFORMED REPAIRS ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 11/16/07 *TR

• 11/01/2009· VISIBILITY

  1. FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED (INCLEMENT WEATHER, WINDSHIELD WASHER). 2. THE WIPERS BIND TOGETHER AND LOCK UP ON THE WAY BACK TO REST POSITION. THE BINDING HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, AND THIS INCIDENT IS APPROXIMATELY THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS CONSTANT RISK THE WIPERS COULD BIND AT ANY TIME DURING WIPER OPERATION. CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE LOSS OF FORWARD VISIBILITY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO MOTOR BURNING OUT WHILE WIPERS ARE STUCK (MOTOR TRIES TO MOVE WIPERS TO REST POSITION EVEN WHEN WIPERS ARE SWITCHED OFF), OR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH IF STRUCK WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE AT THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW TO UNBIND THE WIPERS. 3. CORRECTIVE ACTION: THE DRIVER MUST IMMEDIATELY STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW AND GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE TO MANUALLY UNBIND THE WIPERS TO RESTORE FORWARD VISIBILITY AND TO REMOVE RISK OF VEHICLE FIRE DUE TO WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BURNOUT. WIPERS WERE REPLACED AT THE DEALER, BUT INCIDENT RECURRED. WIPERS WERE REPLACED AGAIN AT AUTO PART STORE AND CORRECT BLADE SIZES WERE VERIFIED TO BE CORRECT, BUT INCIDENT RECURRED. *TR

• 10/25/2014· WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES

  I HAD A FLAT TIRE, REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE ACTUAL MILEAGE THAT WAS ON MY CAR AT THAT TIME. PULLED OVER AND CHANGED FLAT TIRE WITH SPARE DOUGHNUT TIRE (WHICH IS A JOKE). I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE OFF AND THE ABS LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND SAID IT WAS DISABLED. I CONTINUED DRIVING TO LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER IN HOOD RIVER, OR.. THEY SAID THE FLAT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SELL ME 1 TIRE SINCE MY VEHICLE IS AWD. I LIMPED BACK HOME TO PORTLAND ON THE 35 MPH SPARE TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO GET CHEAPER TIRES THROUGH ANOTHER DEALER BUT WHEN MY NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON MY ABS NEVER REACTIVATED AND TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING IT IS DISABLED. IT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRIVING A 1973 MONTE CARLO VS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PLACES CHECK IT OUT AND THEY HAVE SAID IT IS IN THE WHEEL SENSORS??? ALL 4? I HAD THEM REPLACED AND IT STILL SAYS THE ABS IS DISABLED. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? AND THIS WENT OUT OVER HAVING A FLAT TIRE?? I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS FIXED. IT IS ANNOYING AT BEST. THANK YOU. *TR

• 10/25/2014· STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN W/O WARNING/SYMPTOMS. MY LIGHTS STILL WORKED BUT THE VEHICLE TOTALLY SHUT DOWN AND LOCKED UP OTHERWISE AND I COASTED TO A STOP MID ROADWAY. KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION AND IN THE ON POSITION AND WOULDN'T LET ME TURN KEY TO ANY OTHER POSITION AND KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT SO I SAT UNTIL BATTERY DIED WHICH SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF.WHEN VEHICLE INITIALLY LOST POWER AND CAME TO A STOP I TRIED TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AND ATTEMPT A RESTART WHICH IS WHEN I REALIZED THE KEY AND IGNITION WOULDN'T MOVE AND THEN VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE OUT OF PARK EITHER.ALSO AT THE MOMENT MY CAR SHUT DOWN,I GLANCED DOWN AT DASH AND SAW SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE FLASH STATING ABS ERROR BUT WAS UNSURE IF THIS WAS THE ONLY MESSAGE IT HAD FLASHED OR IF THIS WAS JUST THE LAST ONE THAT I CAUGHT AND THEY HAD POSSIBLY ALL FLASHED AS PART OF THE MALFUNCTION BUT HAD NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING BRAKE RELATED CAUSE AN ENTIRE VEHICLE SYSTEM TO SHUT DOWN TOTALLY AND BE DEAD AS A RESULT WITH TOTAL LOCKUP OF ALL CONTROLS.I HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED HOME AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT CONFUSION FROM ALL OF THE TOW TRUCK DRIVERS, MECHANIC FRIENDS, ETC.AS TO WHAT OR WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THEY ALL SUGGESTED THAT IT SEEMED TO BE MY COMPUTER OR ELECTRICAL POSSIBLY BECAUSE THE CAR WAS TOTALLY DEAD AND DID NOT MAKE ANY NOISE OR CLICK OR ANYTHING BUT SILENCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO POWER BACK AND RESTART. I HAD MY TWO KIDS WITH ME AND ONE WAS A BABY IN A TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR OF A RAINSTORM AND THIS WAS MY VEHICLE STRANDED MID CORNER IN A BLIND SPOT WITH NO WAY OF MOVING CAR FROM DANGER OF MIDDLE OF ROAD OR EVEN BEING ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEY SO AS TO ABANDON THE VEHICLE OUT OF SAFETY CONCERN.THIS IS NOT THE ONLY CASE OF THIS HAPPENING TO THIS VEHICLE FROM WHAT I AM READING ON CONSUMER REPORTED INCIDENTS AND COMPLAINTS/INVESTIGATIONS. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND IT IS ALL ELECTRICAL ERROR RELATED. *TR

• 10/24/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WE HAVE REPLACED THE GAS TANK ON OUR 2003 AZTEK BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM AROUND THE JOINT WITH THE FILLER TUBE AND FILLING OUR HOUSE (WITH ATTACHED GARAGE) WITH A STRONG GAS SMELL. WE UNDERSTAND FROM YOUR WEBSITE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THE ORIGINAL TANK IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

• 10/21/2009· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ELECTRICAL MECHANICS IN THE CAR, I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF CITY TRAFFIC AND CANNOT GET THE CAR TO MOVE. IT STALLS OUT IN TRAFFIC. *TR

• 10/20/2018· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  "TAKATA RECALL"" STALLS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP IT WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WHEN I START IT UP AND THROUGHOUT THE RIDE IS SHAKES AND VIBRATES SOMETIMES IT WON'T START SOMETIMES IT'LL START RIGHT AWAY I DON'T REPLACE SPARK PLUGS COILS OIL CHANGED I'M STILL DOING THE SAME THING EVERY PLACE I GO SAYING THE SAME THING YOUR SAYS POSSIBLE MISFIRES CYLINDER 5 FUEL AND C2O OXYGEN SIMPSON AND I ALSO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER STILL NO DIFFERENT STILL WRITES THE SAME WAY RUNS HOT LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING NO WATER TO THE ENGINE

• 10/20/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO OBSERVED A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL SPILLING FROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER RQ06009 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

• 10/16/2007· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED FROM 2,500 TO 3,500 WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GEARS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AS OCTOBER 16, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

• 10/08/2008· VISIBILITY

  WHILE DRIVING MY WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN THE RAIN. PLEASE REFER TO ODI ID#10100739. I ALMOST CRASHED MY CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. I HAD TO CONSTANTLY FLICK BUTTON ON AND OFF TO GET IT TO START BACK UP. *TR

• 10/08/2003· AIR BAGS,EQUIPMENTCrash

  AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN VEHICLE STRUCK CEMENT MEDIAN AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. *LA

• 10/01/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  LEAKAGE FROM THE FUEL TANK INLET FILLER PIPE (INLET CHECK VALVE). SIMILAR ISSUE AS TO NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V349000. HOWEVER, 07V349000 ONLY INCLUDED VEHICLES FOR THE PONTIAC AZTEK BUILT IN MAY 2003 FOR THE RECALL PHASE. I PURCHASED MY AZTEK IN FEB 2003. *TR

• 10/01/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT DRIVER CANNOT SEE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED LATERALLY THEREFORE THE LIGHT SHINES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LINE, INTO THE GRASS AND WOODS. *AK *NLM

• 09/28/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET LEAKS. PROBLEM EVIDENCED ITSELF AT ROUGHLY 58,000 MILES. IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECTIVE CONDITION. *TR

• 09/26/2008· STEERINGCrash

  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. *TR

• 09/24/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  THE ELECTRICAL HAS DONE NOTHING BUT MESSED UP FIRST THE RADIO LIGHT WENT OUT AND NOW THE DASH LIGHT IS OUT SO THERE IS NO VISIBILITY AT NIGHT TO SEE YOUR SPEED, THE ANTI LOCK LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL THE ANTI LOCK LIGHT COMES ON, ALSO THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE KEEPS DISABLING, I HAVE REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 HUBS THAT WERE EATEN THROUGH AND NOW ITS LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER ONE IS GOING. THE BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND DINGING, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET IT TO STOP, I AM EATING THROUGH THE BRAKE PADS BECAUSE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES DON'T TURN OFF RIGHT AWAY, ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR WHEN YOU START IT UP DOES NOT START IT JUST GOES RIGHT TO BATTERY LIGHT BUT YET NOTHING WRONG JUST GLITCHING. I HAVE READ ALOT OF FORUMS ON THE AZTEK AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ALOT OF AZTEKS AND I HAVE TALKED TO PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THAT OWN AZTEKS AND THEY HAVE ALOT OF THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *TR

• 09/24/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN DRIVE WITH THE ENGINE OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT IN TO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STARTED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,557.

• 09/21/2016· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. AFTER RE-FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED STRONG FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND NEAR THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES FLUCTUATED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC MORE THAN ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTIFIED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO TRY TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 09/20/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, THE DEALER FOUND A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,537 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF

• 09/20/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  (1) 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK, 41500 MILES IN SERVICE 2 YEARS 3 MONTHS, WITH NO IDENTIFIABLE CAUSE STARTED TO LEAK GAS AT THE FILLER NECK. (2) GAS LEAKED VERY QUICKLY WHEN TANK WAS FILLED. (3) DUE TO WARRANTY BEING ONLY 36000 MI DEALER EXAMINED LEAK FOR $100 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE, BUT NOT PART OF TSB AND NORMAL BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRED DUE TO MILEAGE, DEALER WANTED $900 TO FIX IT. AFTER APPEALING TO PONTIAC CORPORATE, GOODWILL EXTENSION OF WARRANTY GOT TANK REPLACED. DEALER KEPT PART. I PERSONALLY THINK IF NO CAUSE OF LEAK IS FOUND (AS IN COLLISION TYPE DAMAGE/VANDALISM) GAS TANK SHOULD BE COVERED AS PART OF EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM (5 YEARS/100,000 MILES I THINK...). WHAT GOOD IS AN EVAPORATIVE VAPOR COLLECTION SYSTEM IF YOU ARE LEAKING GAS ALL OVER HIGHWAY? *NM

• 09/19/2011· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  IN APRIL 2011 ON BUMPY ROADS A GRINDING NOISE WOULD COME ON AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS PROBABLY THE ABS SYSTEM AND COULD BE A NUMBER OF THINGS, THE COMPUTER MODULE MAY BE BAD, THE SENSORS ON EACH WHEEL COULD BE BAD. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE IN MAY, HAD TO REPLACE THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON ONE WHEEL AND WAS TOLD IT WAS FIXED $540. THEN IN JUNE THE CAR STARTED DOING THE SAME THING, TOOK IT IN AGAIN, WAS TOLD ANOTHER WHEEL NEEDED NEW BEARINGS $740 WITH A WARRANTY. IN AUGUST CAR STARTED THE VIBRATING AND GRINDING AGAIN, YOU CAN HEAR A VIBRATION LIKE A MOTOR OR SOMETHING COMES ON AND THEN WHEN YOU TRY TO STOP YOU HAVE TO PUSH REALLY REALLY HARD. AT THAT POINT I WENT ON LINE TO CHECK IT OUT, SEEMS LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO OWN EITHER A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK OR A 2003 BUICK RENDEVOUS ARE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES. THE DEALERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF A DEFECT IN THE CAR. ALL THE BLOGS THAT I SAW ONLINE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY PEOPLE HAVE REPACKED THE BEARINGS ON ALL WHEELS, REPLACE SENSORS AND THE HARNESS TO THE COMPUTER MODULE AND NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK AND THE DEALERS DON'T SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT ONCE AND FOR ALL. MY CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN WORKED ON BY THE DEALER. SO FAR MY DEALER HASN'T MENTIONED THE COMPUTER SENSOR BUT I'M SURE AFTER I'VE REPLACED ALL WHEEL BEARINGS THEY WILL GET TO THAT. BOTTOM LINE IS IF ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME SAFETY ISSUE, YOUR DEPT NEEDS TO LOOK AT IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. WE ARE KEEPING OUR CARS LONGER AND THEY SHOULD LAST WELL OVER 100,000 MILES WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE. SO NOW I HAVE A PERFECTLY GOOD CAR WITH A PERFECTLY GOOD ENGINE, BUT NO ABS BRAKING SYSTEM AND IT CAN'T SEEM TO BE FIXED! *KB

• 09/19/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I HAVE A 2003 AZTEK AND THE FUEL TANK HAS BEEN LEAKING FROM THE WELD AT THE CHECK VALVE AND THE TANK. I HAVE FOUND A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE 2004 MODELS WHEN I CALLED PONTIAC THEY SAID THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL BUT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL. *JB

• 09/12/2006· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A SMELL OF FUEL WAS NOTICED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT FILLED THE GAS TANK SHORTLY BEFORE THE SMELL WAS NOTICED, AND BELIEVED THAT SOME FUEL MAY HAVE SPILLED CAUSING THE SMELL. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM THE WELD WHERE THE FILLER NECK MET THE TANK. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE INDEPENDENT DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER CONTACTED AN AUTHORIZED SALES DEALER TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #03V454000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. BOTH DEALERS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

• 09/10/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  AZTEK IS 5 YRS OLD 70,000 MILES. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STALLING AFTER THE FIRST FEW MONTHS (WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW!) COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM! 9/4/08 WAS DRIVING LATE FROM A GAME AND BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. HAD DIAGNOSTIC DONE - MISFIRE IN CYLINDER 6. TOOK IT TO DEALER - COSTING ME $4000 TO FIX! NEEDS 2 NEW HEADS!!!! *TR

• 09/10/2004· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN AT A STOP VEHICLE IDLED TOO FAST, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JERK FORWARD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 09/08/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  ON SATURDAY SEPT. 1ST MY AUNT TOLD US SHE SMELLED GAS WHEN SHE CAME OVER TO OUR HOUSE. WHEN WE WENT OUTSIDE TO CHECK IT OUT WE NOTICED GAS DRIPPING FAIRLY QUICKLY OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF OUR PONTIAC AZTEC. WE HAVE HAD NO OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND HAVE NOT SMELLED GAS BEFORE. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT IN THE VEHICLE NOR HAVE WE HAD ANYTHING HIT THE CAR. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR IN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER YET WHILE WE TRY TO ASCERTAIN THE RECALL DATA. WE IMMEDIATELY LOOKED UP ANY RECALLS AND FOUND YOURS ON SEVERAL WEBSITES. HOWEVER, WHEN I CALLED THE GM PHONE NUMBER LISTED THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THAT MODEL AT THIS TIME. THAT IS NOT THE CASE. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO IN ORDER TO SEE IF THIS RECALL CONCERNING GAS TANKS, AND FUEL LEAKAGE APPLIES TO MY CAR. THANK GOD SHE HAPPENED TO SMELL THE GAS OR WE COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS EXPLOSION. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH, *JB

• 09/07/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  2003 PONTIAC AZTEC, CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING 14 HOURS I ONLY HAD THE AZTEC FOR JUST ABOUT 2 WEEKS, THE FIRE STARTING UNDER THE HOOD IN AN ELECTRICAL BOX THE SUV WAS A TOTAL, MEAN WHILE I LOST MY DOWN PAYMENT OF 1,000 AND IS STILL LEFT WITH OUT TRANSPORTATION THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAID OFF THE LOAN WHICH LEFT ME A BALANCE OWED NOW, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEDUCTIBLE AND AGAIN THE LOSS OF MY DOWN PAYMENT AND NO CAR THIS HAS BEEN AN NIGHTMARE FOR ME IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS AND I STILL FEEL I SHOULD HAVE BEEN AWARDED AN DOWN PAYMENT THE FIRE WAS THE MANUFACTURING FAULT AND THE INSURANCE WENT ONLY AFTER THE BOOK VALUE AND ME AS A CUSTOMER WELL NOTHING BUT MISERY AND PAIN. JANICE. *JB

• 09/04/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISON AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 09/03/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  FIREWALL LEAKS A LOT OF WATER INTO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AREAS. THE WATER LEAKING IN CAUSES THOSE INTERIOR AREAS TO BECOME SOAKING WET AND DANGEROUS (FUSE BOX LOCATED WHERE WATER IS LEAKING), ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS (EVEN WET DUE IN THE MORNING CAN CAUSE WATER TO LEAK INTO THE FRONT CABIN AREA). VEHICLE STATIONARY AND EITHER IN A PARKING LOT OR SIDE STREET. I WILL TAKE PICTURES/VIDEO THE NEXT TIME IT OCCURS AND UPLOAD THEM AS DESCRIBED BELOW.

• 09/03/2003· POWER TRAINCrash

  WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION GEAR WAS STUCK IN DRIVE,DRIVER LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. *AK

• 08/30/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  ENGINE RPM SURGES TO OVER 3000 WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS INITIALLY PLACED IN DRIVE AFTER STARTING THE ENGINE. THE DRIVER MAY NEED TO SUDDENLY APPLY THE BRAKE IF BEHIND A CAR. THE HIGH RPM ALSO ACTS AS AN UNDESIRED "CRUISE CONTROL" SYSTEM, THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH "CRUISE". THE DRIVER MUST ALSO FIRMLY HOLD THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN WHILE STOPPED AS THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD. *TR