RoadVitals

2002 Pontiac Aztek

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
121
Latest Apr 8, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Aug 8, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Aug 8, 2007
20,594 units potentially affected
The defect: 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).
The 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.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 06230View on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

Mar 12, 2007
742 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The 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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Jul 15, 2003
1,707,825 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The remedy: 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 03039View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA07006ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

Opened Apr 18, 2007
Closed Sep 13, 2007

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 SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSLed to recall 07V349000
RQ06009ClosedRecall Query

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

Opened Dec 14, 2006
Closed Apr 18, 2007

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 8, 2017

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
Fuel system
Filed Sep 9, 2016

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
Fuel system
Filed Jun 2, 2016

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
Fuel system
Filed Mar 9, 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
Electrical
Filed Oct 6, 2015

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
AirbagsEngine
Filed May 20, 2014
Crash reported

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
Electrical
Filed Apr 11, 2014

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
Fuel system
Filed Sep 23, 2013

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.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

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.

PIP4723J

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.

PIT5099H

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.

PIT5099H

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.

General Communication

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

Pontiac Aztek by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005341036.1
2004674355.4
20031284256.4
2002Viewing1213250.9
20012166259.6

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.