RoadVitals

2004 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.
67
Latest Apr 29, 2020
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.
4
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.
3
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.
5
6 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 67 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Pontiac Aztek, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 432 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

4 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Apr 20, 2005
34,186 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.
The risk: THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 05014View 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
PE04075ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

IGNITION RELAY FAILURE

Opened Nov 10, 2004
Closed Apr 28, 2005

ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE, MALFUNCTION, OR OTHER UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE OF THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH MAY RESULT IN ENGINE STALLING IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS (GMT250) AND PONTIAC AZTEK (GMT250) VEHICLES ALLEGEDLY CAUSED BY IGNITION RELAY FAILURE.ODI IS AWARE OF 68 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS AND 1092 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT ISSUE.THERE ARE NO KNOWN CRASHES RELATED TO IGNITION RELAY FAILURE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.BY LETTER DATED APRIL 19, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NTHSA RECALL NO. 05V-157) TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE IGNITION RELAY MODULES IN APPROXIMATELY 34,996 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN OCTOBER 13, 2003 AND MARCH 8, 2004.THIS PERIOD OF VEHICLE PRODUCTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH ESCALATED WARRANTY CLAIMS RATES AND COMPLAINTS THAT ALLEGE ENGINE STALL DUE TO IGNITION RELAY FAILURE.GM HAS IDENTIFIED PARTS SUPPLIERS WHO USED MATERIALS CONTAINING SILICONE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SPECIFIC COMPONENTS FOR THE IGNITION RELAY MODULE.SILICONE CONTAMINATION CAN RESULT IN SILICA DEPOSITS FORMING ON THE CONTACTS AS THE RELAY SWITCHES AND THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE RESULTANT ARC CONVERTS THE SILICONE TO SILICA.SILICA BUILD-UP ON THE CONTACTS IS PROGRESSIVE AND MAY PRODUCE A VOLTAGE DROP ACROSS THE RELAY SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE AN INTERMITTENT NO-START OR ENGINE STALL CONDITION.WARRANTY ANALYSIS INDICATES THE INCIDENCE OF NO/HARD START VERSUS ENGINE STALL TO BE EQUAL.ANALYSIS OF TOWING CLAIMS AND DETAILED SERVICE RECORDS INDICATES THAT VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE RESTART DIFFICULTIES AFTER A STALLING INCIDENT APPROXIMATELY 20-30 PERCENT OF THE TIME.THE USE OF SILICONE MATERIALS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE SUBJECT IGNITION RELAY HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Recent owner complaints

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

EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 29, 2020

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS FROM MY CAR FOR YEARS BUT JUST NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT LOOKED AT. I EVEN CALLED ABOUT RECALLS CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THROUGH RESEARCH IN 2015 BUT WAS TOLD THEY HAD BEEN CLOSED SO I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN IF IT WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER RECALL. I NO LONGER FILL MY TANK WITH GAS BECAUSE THERE IS A LEAK. I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATE THAT I NEED A NEW FUEL TANK, AND FUEL LEVER SENSOR AND SENDER. ALSO, HAVE OIL LEAKS IN 2 PLACES, THEY TELL ME I NEED UPPER & LOWER INTAKE GASKETS. AS WELL AS VALVE COVER GASKETS & OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING REPLACED AND OIL PAN GASKET REPLACED. ALSO, NEEDS WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT REPLACED.I ALSO FOR THE PAST 3 OR SO YEARS HAVE TO KEEP A PEN OR PENCIL IN MY CAR TO INSERT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE MY KEY .

NHTSA ID
11322711
Incident
Apr 25, 2020
Filed Apr 1, 2020

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING; THERE IS A HISTORY OF A RECALL THAT HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11319899
Incident
Mar 31, 2020
Mileage
117,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Mar 27, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CRASHED INTO A GMC ENVOY AND FLIPPED OVER LANDING ON THE ROOF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK AS THE CONTACT WAS CUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WAS UNCONSCIOUS, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE OCCUPANT OF THE GMC HAD NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS LOST HER EYE SIGHT DUE TO AIRBAG FAILURE.*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11319417
Incident
Feb 21, 2020
Mileage
171,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED BEFORE REACHING AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE HOSES WERE FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FRACTURED. THE BRAKES AND HOSES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.. *BF CONSUMER STATED POWERSTEERING HIGH PRESSURE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST. THE DAY THE BRAKE LINES WERE GETTING REPAIRED CONSUMER WAS TOLD FUEL LINE FROM THE PUMP TO THE INJECTORS WAS ALSO RUSTED AND WOULD LEAK ANYTIME. *JB

NHTSA ID
11170542
Incident
Jan 7, 2019
Mileage
95,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 1, 2018

MY CAR TURN OFF ON MY CHILDREN AND I ON THE HIGHWAY THANK GOD WE WAS ABLE TO COAST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT OUTTA NO WHERE NOT ONLY THAT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND FUEL LINE EXHAUSTED SYSTEM SOMETHING WRONG ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. WITH THAT BEING SAID I'M GREAT MY CHILDREN WAS NOT HURT DOING THIS ORDEAL. I LEARNED THAT THESE CARS HAVE FEW COMPLAINTS. BUT DO HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND VACUUM HOW'S EXHAUSTED. JUST GOT THE CAR I MARCH AND FOUND OUT BOUT THIS RECALL I'M SO DISAPPOINTED SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR RIGHT NOW.

NHTSA ID
11104927
Incident
Jun 18, 2018
Mileage
10 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Sep 28, 2017

"TAKATA RECALL" ON MY CAR THE ELECTRONIC IS NOT WORKING AND HASN'T BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND WON'T GO BACK OFF. AND THE GAS TANK IS NOT WORKING RIGHT, I CAN'T GET GAS INTO MY TANK , IT DOES GO IN BUT I HAVE TO KEEP TRYING BECAUSE IT POPS OUT AND DON'T LET ME PUT GAS IN IT.

NHTSA ID
11030407
Incident
Jan 1, 2012
Mileage
19,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 25, 2016

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FOR 45 MINUTES AND WHEN GOT HOME NOTICE THERE WAS GAS COMING FROM MY PONTIAC AZTEC. DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICE THERE'S A RECALL. CALL BUICK AND THEY TOLD ME MY VIN IS NOT COVER UNDER THE RECALL. REALLY?

NHTSA ID
10927918
Incident
Nov 25, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Aug 16, 2016

LIGHTING GOES OUT AT NIGHT WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA ID
10896214
Incident
May 16, 2016

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.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

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.

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
2004Viewing674355.4
20031284256.4
20021213250.9
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.