2003 Pontiac Aztek Brakes Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE GRASS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION PIPE CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO ROT. THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 03/01/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID

10947401

Incident

Jan 21, 2017

Mileage

82,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10649863

Incident

Aug 9, 2007

MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES COME ON WITHOUT WARNING ALL THE TIME. EVEN IF ITS A SIMPLE STOP SIGN OR IM TURNING A CORNER. I CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION UNDER MY FEET AND MY ANTI-LOCK LIGHT COMES ON, THE DASH. ITS VERY SCARY. I BOUGH MY CAR NOT EVEN 6 MONTHS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALER. THE BRAKE ISSUE STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS IN TO ME HAVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE FOR THESE TYPES OF CARS. SOMETHING ABOUT A SENSOR INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. ITS IS VERY UNSAFE AND FROM THE THINGS I'VE READ A VERY COMMON ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10621351

Incident

Aug 11, 2014

Mileage

83,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 4 MINS. I STOPPED AT LIGHT AND CAR CUT OFF. CAR NEVER CUT ON AFTER. I JUST PURCHASED CAR ON JUNE 26 2013. I WAS TOLD THERE AREN'T ANT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS TO BRING IT BACK I BROUGHT IT BACK TO FIND THAT THEY DIDN'T VALUE THEIR WORD. THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT CAR BACK AND EXCHANGE FOR MY PURCHASE. ALTHOUGH I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR TIL THIS DAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10526096

Incident

Jul 20, 2013

Mileage

126,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT ALWAYS RESPOND AND NEEDED TO BE APPLIED REPEATEDLY IN ORDER TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE FAULTY SENSORS WHERE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO FOUND A LEAK ON THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE THEN EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY DRIVING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PIVOTAL JOINTS IN THE REAR WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED UNUSUAL TREAD WEAR AND TEAR OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) AND 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE, HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED DUE TO MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10463281

Incident

May 1, 2012

Mileage

150,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10425989

Incident

Apr 29, 2011

Mileage

101,000 mi

1)WHEN I REMOVED GAS CAP TO FILL TANK WITH GAS, I HEARD A HISSING SOUND COMING OUT OF THE GAS TANK. WHEN TRYING TO FILL TANK WITH GAS, HOSE KEPT CLICKING OFF AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO PUT GAS IN THE TANK. I WENT TO A DIFFERENT GAS STATION AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE SINCE BEEN UNABLE TO USE THE CAR AS I CAN NOT FILL THE TANK. 2)THIS SECOND PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD THIS CHECKED OUT EACH TIME AND THE MECHANICS ALWAYS HAVE A HARD TIME IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY COSTLY. FURTHER MORE, THE VEHICLE CAN'T PASS INSPECTION WITH THAT LIGHT ON. 3) THIS THIRD PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN ONGOING. I HAVE TO REPLACE MY BRAKES AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR. THEY WEAR DOWN QUICKLY AND MAKE AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE. THE MECHANICS CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE REASON FOR THIS EITHER. EXCEPT TO TELL ME THIS CAR IS DEFECTIVE. 4)IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO, WHEN I MAKE A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE. MY TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVELS ARE ALWAYS GOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENS. 5) THE HATCH DOES NOT OPEN WHEN THE AUTOMATIC OPENING BUTTON IS USED, MUST ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE IN THE BACK TO OPEN IT AS I SIMULTANEOUSLY PUSH THE BUTTON. 6)WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES TO STOP, IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES DISENGAGE OR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN AND THIS HAPPENS WHEN ROAD IS DRY THIS CAR HAS BEEN A PIECE OF JUNK SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT AND HAS CAUSED MULTIPLE FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH ALL IT'S DEFECTS. I WILL NEVER BUY A PONTIAC OR GM CAR AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10230084

Incident

Jan 14, 2003

THE BRAKES WANT STOP ON TIME AND THE CAR IS MAKING ALL KIND OF LOUD NOISES LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE IN THE FRONT WENT I TURN RIGHT. THE HEATER WANT WORK ON HIGH. I HAD THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL BARREL REPLACED BECAUSE IT WENT OUT NOW THIS. AFTER 20 YEARS I FINALLY BROUGHT A BRAND NEW CAR AND IT SEAMS TO HAVE MORE MAJOR PROBLEMS THEN A USE ONE . I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED I HAVE JUST STARTED RIDING THE BUS BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET THIS FIXED AND I AM AFRAID I WILL CRASH. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THE 2003 AZTEK FOR THE BRAKES BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. I HAVE SEEN AT LEAST 6 COMPLAINT ON THE BRAKES. I THINK THIS STARTS TO HAPPENS AFTER 80000 OR 90,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10221834

Incident

Jan 1, 2008

Mileage

90,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10207731

Incident

Oct 26, 2006

Mileage

68,180 mi

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS A "GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE" BUT FOUND OUT LATER THAT IT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSPECTED AS THE BRAKES WERE BAD ALL OF THE WAY AROUND. THE DEALER TOOK CARE OF IT, BUT 3 DAYS LATER A LOUD HUMMING STARTED TO OCCUR WHEN WE TURNED THE VEHICLE LEFT. UPON REPORTING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THEY COULD FIX IT FOR $600+. THIS PROBLEM HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE THE HUMMING ALMOST DROWNS OUT YOUR VOICE WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. AND IF YOU TURN LEFT, IT IS SO LOUD THAT IT HURTS YOUR EARS. EVEN WHEN WE TURN AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, SAY IN A PARKING LOT, IT SOUNDS LIKE A DEEP HUM AND CRUNCHING SOUND ON THE LEFT FRONT AND REAR. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S CLUTCH PADS, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AS WE REPORTED IT 3 DAYS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE AZTEK. EVEN PONTIAC BLEW US OFF, AND OFFERED A YEARS WORTH OF OIL CHANGES AND LUBES FOR OUR TROUBLE.....AFTER 5 MONTHS, WE STILL HAVE YET TO GET THAT CERTIFICATE. I WILL BE SURE TO NEVER LOOK AT ANOTHER "GM CERTIFIED VEHICLE" AGAIN AFTER THE WAY WE WERE TREATED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10188392

Incident

Aug 1, 2006

Mileage

33,500 mi

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES AND HEAD LIGHTS AND ALSO MY BATTERY. I THINK IT'S A ELECTRICITY PROBLEM. EVERY SINCE I HAD THIS TRUCK I HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY BRAKES ABOUT 10 TIMES AND MY HEAD LIGHTS ABOUT FIVE TIMES AND BATTERY TWICE. THERE'S A GRAWL AND ROAR SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME ONE TIME CAUSE ME TO RUN OUT IN FRONT OF CARS. THIS COULD HAVE KILL ME AN D MY CHILD. I ASK FOR ANOTHER CAR INSTEAD OF THIS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10179305

Incident

May 12, 2005

1. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK WITHOUT SHUTTING IT OFF IF I LEAVE IT RUNNING AND PUT IT IN PARK LIKE AT A DRIVE-THROUGH ETC. HAVE NOT HAD IT CHECKED OR REPAIRED BECAUSE OUT OF WARRANTY AND CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX. 2. THE REAR WINDOW HATCH WILL NOT OPEN PROPERLY. I HAD THE DEALER REPAIR ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. 3. FRONT WHEEL BEARING REPLACED ONCE AND IS ROARING LIKE IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. 4. THE BACK MIDDLE SEAT BELT FELL APART AND IS TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. 5. THE VEHICLE GOES THROUGH BRAKES RATHER QUICKLY. HAS BEEN LESS THAN A YEAR AND THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ID

10157663

Incident

Nov 20, 2005

DT: THE HAZARD, TURN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT THIS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE SWITCH WHICH SHOWED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE AFOREMENTIONED WERE REPLACED, A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND NEW FLASHERS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10132409

Incident

Jul 20, 2005

Mileage

53,470 mi

WHILE BRAKING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS EIGHT TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE STILL BAD AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED AGAIN. *BF *NM

NHTSA ID

10113244

Incident

Sep 14, 2004

Mileage

63,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS A DELAY BEFORE THE VEHICLE STOPPED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10082133

Incident

Jul 16, 2004

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLED FORWARD WHILE ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE IGNITION SWITCH ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT WAS ALREADY STARTED. THE REAR HATCH COULD NOT BE OPENED BY THE BUTTON ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON AND IN PARK THE GEAR SELECTOR COULD NOT BE MOVED INTO DRIVE UNLESS THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON. THE CONSUMER HEARD A WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AN ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE VENTS WHEN THE A/C WAS ON. *NM

NHTSA ID

10068540

Incident

Nov 12, 2003

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

NHTSA ID

10047632

Incident

Nov 25, 2003

Mileage

13,000 mi

THE BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB

NHTSA ID

10011718

Incident

Jan 15, 2003

REPLACED ABS CONTROL UNIT MODULE DUE TO AN INTERNAL SHORT. ALSO, REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10001887

Incident

Dec 15, 2002