Model year record

2002 Pontiac Aztek recalls & problems

The 2002 Pontiac Aztek has 3 safety recalls and 121 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (22 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints121filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

2002 Pontiac Aztek in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineAug 8, 2007

Storage

Recall 07V34900020,594 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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).
Risk: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, otherMar 12, 2007

Storage › Tank assembly › Pressure relief devices

Recall 07E021000742 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentJul 15, 2003

Other › Owners/service/other manual

Recall 03V2500001,707,825 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2002 Pontiac Aztek 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Aztek FWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Aztek AWD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine	22	0	0	56,776 mi
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing; Front › Hub	22	0	0	41,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap	19	1	0	70,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring › Interior/under dash; Ignition › Module	19	0	0	76,050 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	13	0	1	46,840 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	11	0	0	25,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesHatchback/liftgate › Lock; Doors › Latch	10	0	0	46,004 mi
Power trainAxle hubs; Automatic transmission	9	0	0	40,225 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	8	0	0	81,500 mi
Fuel system, otherStorage › Fuel gauge system; Storage › Tank assembly	5	0	0	74,100 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights	5	0	0	67,000 mi
VisibilityWindshield; Windshield wiper/washer	4	0	0	23,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
AS NOTED IN PREVIOUS STATEMENTS THIS VEHICLE IS DIFFICULTY AT STARTING AND CRANKING AT VARIOUS SITUATION. PLAYING THE RADIO WITH ENGINE OFF, MUST WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START, THEN IT MAY CRANK OR YOU HAVE TO START OVER. ITS NOT THE RADIO ITS THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AS DONE IN THE PAST. IT DOESN'T MATTER, STOP, OR MOVING IT HAS DONE ALL YOU MENTION, AND WITH THE LIGHTS OFF AT NIGHT YOU CAN INJURED A PEDESTRIAN OR OURSELVES. THIS CAR WAS RECALL AND IT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN FIX BUT HERE WE STUCK HERE FROM 04/07/17 POSSIBLY WILL GET HELP FROM THE NEAREST GMC CAR DEALER ON 04/10/17. KEEP ALL THIS INFORMATION FOR OFFICIAL USED ONLY. THANKS UPDATED 05/17/17*LJ UPDATED…
Apr 7, 2017
Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEK. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING FUEL FASTER THAN USUAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP, AND FUEL TANK LINES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
Jul 1, 2016 · 139,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
2002 PONTIAC AZTEK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL ODORS AND LEAKS BY THE FUEL TANK INLET. CONSUMERS INTERNET SEARCH FOUND AN EXPIRED RECALL BULLETIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE, REQUESTS ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE FUEL SMELL WAS STRONGER AFTER HE FILLED UP. *JB
Jan 1, 2016
Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 05/06/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE IT WAS FILLED. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/1/2017*JS
Feb 16, 2016 · 120,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ALARM SYSTEM SOUNDED, THE LOCKS OPERATED ON THEIR OWN, AND THE TRUNK OPENED WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
Sep 29, 2015 · 180,000 miles
Air bagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEK. 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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,129. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN
Mar 31, 2014 · 192,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition
THE CAR KEY CAN BE REMOVED AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JS
Apr 30, 2010
Fuel/propulsion system
2002 PONTIAC AZTEK WAS PARKED AND WAS IDLING. SMELLED STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. UPON EXAMINATION, FUEL WAS LEAKING PROFUSELY AROUND THE FILLER TUBE. TRIED TO HAVE IT SEALED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. TANK WILL LEAK OUT ANY FUEL QUANTITY OVER 3 US GALLON. IT DOES NOT LEAK WHEN KEPT UNDER THIS QUANTITY OF FUEL.
Sep 6, 2012 · 140,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL TANK LEAKAGEClosedLed to recall 07V349000
GM IS RECALLING (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-349) CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002-2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS, CHEVROLET VENTURE (REGULAR WHEELBASE) AND 2001-2004 PONTIAC AZTEK AND MONTANA (REGULAR WHEELBASE) VEHICLES TO REPLACE FUEL TANKS AND CORRECT A DEFECT THAT MAY ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE.THE VEHICLE RECALL POPULATION IS RENDEZVOUS AND AZTEK VEHICLES BUILT IN MAY 2003, VENTURE AND MONTANA VEHICLE BUILT IN JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002 AND CERTAIN SAME MODEL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO AND HAWAII THAT WERE BUILT THROUGH NOV/DEC 2003 (DEPENDING ON MODEL).THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 20,594 (INCLUDES 15,196 SUBJECT AZTEK AND RENDEZVOUS VEHICLES). IN ADDITION TO THE RECALL, GM WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON MY 2002-2004 RENDEZVOUS AND REGULAR WHEEL BASE VENTURE VANS AND MY 2001-2004 AZTEK AND REGULAR WHEELBASE MONTANA VANS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL TO PROVIDE…
EA07006 · opened Apr 18, 2007 · closed Sep 13, 2007
FUEL TANK LEAKAGEClosed
CERTAIN SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT LEAKAGE OF ODOR AND/OR FUELFROM THE LOWER PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK INLET FILLER PIPE (INLET CHECK VALVE).THE INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) AND THE FUEL TANK ARE JOINED TOGETHER USING A HOT PLATE WELDING PROCESS FOR PLASTIC PARTS.GM REPORTS THAT ITS ANALYSIS OF FIELD RETURNED PARTS SHOW EVIDENCE OF PROCESS VARIATIONS FOR DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING PERIODS.THESE VARIATIONS PRODUCED SOME ICV TO FUEL TANK JOINTS WITH POOR MELT FLOW LINES.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF GM'S WARRANTY CLAIM DATA FINDS MORE FREQUENT FUEL TANK REPLACEMENTS IN THE HOTTER CLIMATE STATES.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-006) TO FURTHER ASSESS THIS MATTER.
RQ06009 · opened Dec 14, 2006 · closed Apr 18, 2007