FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
2002 Pontiac Aztek
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 121 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Pontiac Aztek, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 363 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 23 |
| Feb 2004 | 2 | 25 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 27 |
| Apr 2004 | 4 | 31 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 32 |
| Jun 2004 | 1 | 33 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 34 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 35 |
| Nov 2004 | 2 | 37 |
| Jan 2005 | 1 | 38 |
| Feb 2005 | 2 | 40 |
| Mar 2005 | 2 | 42 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 43 |
| May 2005 | 3 | 46 |
| Jun 2005 | 3 | 49 |
| Aug 2005 | 2 | 51 |
| Sep 2005 | 2 | 53 |
| Oct 2005 | 2 | 55 |
| Nov 2005 | 1 | 56 |
| Dec 2005 | 3 | 59 |
| Feb 2006 | 2 | 61 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 62 |
| Jul 2006 | 4 | 66 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 67 |
| Sep 2006 | 4 | 71 |
| Oct 2006 | 3 | 74 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 75 |
| Jan 2007 | 1 | 76 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 77 |
| Apr 2007 | 1 | 78 |
| Aug 2007 | 1 | 79 |
| Sep 2007 | 1 | 80 |
| Oct 2007 | 1 | 81 |
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 82 |
| Dec 2007 | 1 | 83 |
| Feb 2008 | 1 | 84 |
| May 2008 | 2 | 86 |
| Jun 2008 | 1 | 87 |
| Jul 2008 | 4 | 91 |
| Aug 2008 | 2 | 93 |
| Sep 2008 | 4 | 97 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 98 |
| Nov 2008 | 2 | 100 |
| Jan 2009 | 2 | 102 |
| Sep 2009 | 1 | 103 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 104 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 105 |
| Dec 2010 | 2 | 107 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 108 |
| Jul 2012 | 2 | 110 |
| Jan 2013 | 1 | 111 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 112 |
| Sep 2013 | 2 | 114 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 115 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 116 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 117 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 118 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 119 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 120 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 121 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system2716.7%
- Engine2414.8%
- Suspension2012.3%
- Electrical1811.1%
- Brakes169.9%
- Interior & seats116.8%
- Body & structure116.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
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 WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.GM WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS IN DECEMBER 2007.GM REPORTS THAT THE FUEL INLET PIPE CONTAINING THE INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV) MAY FRACTURE AND ALLOW FUEL VAPORS OR FUEL TO LEAK OUT.GM DATA REVEALED THAT ELEVATED AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, HIGHER CARBON CONTENT IN THE ICV AND VARIATION IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS WERE THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR POTENTIAL CRACKS IN THE ICV.BEGINNING DECEMBER 2003, GM BUILT VEHICLES WITH A REDESIGNED FUEL TANK/ICV.SUBJECT VEHICLES NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY DID NOT SHOW A FAILURE TREND SIMILAR TO THE ABOVE VEHICLES..FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, SEE RECALL 07V-349.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 07/25/2017*JS
- NHTSA ID
- 10971442
- Incident
- Apr 7, 2017
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10905053
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2016
- Mileage
- 139,000 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10870973
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2016
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10845724
- Incident
- Feb 16, 2016
- Mileage
- 120,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10780147
- Incident
- Sep 29, 2015
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
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
- NHTSA ID
- 10592684
- Incident
- Mar 31, 2014
- Mileage
- 192,000 mi
THE CAR KEY CAN BE REMOVED AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN STARTED. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN WITHOUT A KEY IN THE IGNITION. *JS
- NHTSA ID
- 10579226
- Incident
- Apr 30, 2010
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10544900
- Incident
- Sep 6, 2012
- Mileage
- 140,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.