FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
2004 Pontiac Aztek
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2004 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2004 | 3 | 5 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 6 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 7 |
| Oct 2004 | 1 | 8 |
| Nov 2004 | 2 | 10 |
| Dec 2004 | 3 | 13 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 14 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 15 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 16 |
| Jul 2005 | 2 | 18 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 20 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 21 |
| Sep 2006 | 2 | 23 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 24 |
| Nov 2006 | 1 | 25 |
| Dec 2006 | 1 | 26 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 27 |
| Mar 2007 | 2 | 29 |
| Jun 2007 | 1 | 30 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 31 |
| Aug 2007 | 1 | 32 |
| Sep 2007 | 2 | 34 |
| Oct 2007 | 1 | 35 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 36 |
| Sep 2008 | 1 | 37 |
| May 2009 | 1 | 38 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 39 |
| Jul 2010 | 1 | 40 |
| Sep 2011 | 2 | 42 |
| Mar 2012 | 2 | 44 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 45 |
| Aug 2012 | 1 | 46 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 47 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 48 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 49 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 50 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 51 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 52 |
| Jan 2015 | 2 | 54 |
| May 2015 | 1 | 55 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 56 |
| Aug 2015 | 2 | 58 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 59 |
| Aug 2016 | 1 | 60 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 61 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 62 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 63 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 64 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 65 |
| Apr 2020 | 2 | 67 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system1617.2%
- Electrical1617.2%
- Engine1314.0%
- Brakes1212.9%
- Suspension88.6%
- Airbags55.4%
- Powertrain (other)44.3%
- Visibility33.2%
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.govFUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
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.
IGNITION RELAY FAILURE
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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
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
"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
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
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.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
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.
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.