Check a VIN

2001 Pontiac Aztek problems

The most common problem on the 2001 Pontiac Aztek is electrical system, typically around 69,000 miles. It has 1.8 times the complaints of a typical Aztek model year.

Typical year1.8x the typical complaints
Year score
49/100
Owner complaints
216
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
353
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
19-20mpg

The worst 2001 Pontiac Aztek problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

Fuel gauge 16Fuel leak 15ABS 11Check engine light 9Airbag light 7Brake failure 7Headlights 7Grinding brakes 6Transmission failure 6No deployment 5Overheating 5Wipers 5

Recalls 5

Fuel system, gasoline: storageReported August 8, 2007 · 20,594 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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).
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.
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.

Recall number 07V349000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manualReported July 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
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.

Recall number 03V250000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported December 9, 2002 · 272 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.
Risk
This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the ab8ility of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began december 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537, or saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000, prompt #3.

Recall number 02V329000 · Recall details

Seats: front assembly: reclinerReported December 13, 2001 · 75,816 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain mini vans built with second row 50/50 split bench seats or captain's chairs, fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." the seat latch anchor wire diameter is greater than 6.1 mm.
Risk
If the connector for a latch-type child restraint is not attached correctly to the anchorage points, the restraint will not properly protect a child in the event of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the latch anchor wires and repair those with an improper diameter. Owner notification began april 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537, or pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737.

Recall number 01V383000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontalReported February 1, 2001 · 38 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.
Risk
In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and the occupants could receive more severe injuries.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on january 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on april 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, pontiac at 1‑800‑762‑2737, or saturn at 1‑800‑553‑6000.

Recall number 01V026000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

Defect investigations

Fuel tank leakageOpened April 18, 2007, closed September 13, 2007

Gm is recalling (the federal safety agency 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.

EA07006

Fuel tank leakageOpened December 14, 2006, closed April 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.

RQ06009

Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek 353

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 353 bulletins for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

2001 Pontiac Aztek fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.4L 6‑cylFWD172420
3.4L 6‑cyl4WD162319

What 2001 Pontiac Aztek owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 23, 2019 · Acceleration, Electrical · 147,654 miles · IA

Bout 3 weeks ago car just keep acting up had it for one year cant read codes on car keep overheating replaced radiator cvl axle brakes oil change transmission fluid car just decided to not pass 50mph be driveable one day driving it went to a stop sign brake car cut off I see check gauges come on service light on cant read codes to find out anything I think the wiring is mess up replaced started as well just to much only had it for a 1and a half

Filed Apr 30, 2018 · NC

I have replace 2 ignition switches, and still having problems..the key will not come out/unlock when switching car off..which kills the battery because I can't turn off the car this is terrible ..it's the ignition switch or the steering column, this happens when putting the car in park!!!!key will not turn car off/can't get key out too

Filed Jan 16, 2017 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · CO

Gm has issued a safety bulletin in regards to a broken fuel tank that could cause explosions, or fire. I have tried to get them to perform the repair but they are refusing. The problem is for all years of the pontiac aztek and buick rendezvous. I have a leak from this location, the fuel inlet, and am nearly afraid to drive the vehicle, but at a cost of over 2000 dollars, gm is also inflating the cost because they know the repair needs to be done.

Filed Mar 24, 2016 · Electrical · 132,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. The vehicle failed to start without warning. The contact charged the battery and started the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that it was not a battery issue. The technician suspected an ignition failure and planned to run a diagnostic test the following day. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2015 · Airbags · 153,000 miles · NY

The driver side seat airbag deployed after the driver shut their door, while the car was in park.

Filed May 1, 2015 · Airbags · 130,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. While attempting to close the door, the air bags deployed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · NC · crash · 1 injury

The car was park! The keys in, I pulled keys out n the car rolled backwards I hop in the car n turn the wheel and I flew out and the car ran me over tire on my back the car didn't stop I pushing the brakes nothing!

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to indicate the amount of fuel that was stored in the fuel tank after it was refueled. No warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnose that the fuel gauge floater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. The contact stated that after reversing out of a drive way, the vehicle made a loud noise as the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was placed into park and the ignition was turned off. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that a round object fell from under the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnose that the power steering failed. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage 100,000 and the current mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 10, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 162,000 miles · OK

The key can be pulled out or fall out of the ignition cylinder with almost no resistance in the run position, and door ajar, keys in ignition chimes no longer operate after first occurrence of key fallout. Key fallout occurs easier as time goes on, I am unsure of the exact date of first occurrence.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2001 Pontiac Aztek before you buy

Compare the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

Other model years

20012002200320042005

Questions about the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

Is the 2001 Pontiac Aztek reliable?

Owners have filed 216 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, 1.8 times a typical Aztek model year.

What is the 2001 Pontiac Aztek year score?

The 2001 Pontiac Aztek scores 49 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Pontiac Aztek: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?

Electrical system, with 40 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles. Next is fuel system (39).

How many recalls does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have?

5 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, equipment and air bags.

What year does the Pontiac Aztek have the most electrical problems?

The Pontiac Aztek model years with the most electrical complaints are 2001 (40 complaints), 2003 (25 complaints) and 2002 (18 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek get?

Official estimates for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.

Share your experience with the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 Pontiac Aztek?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN