2001 Pontiac Aztek engine problems

Filed Oct 18, 2010 · Engine · UT

Purchased the pontiac 2001 aztek from a dealer used. The first week the check engine light came on. Second week the service vehicle light came on and the thermometer gauge was stuck in cold, took the car to checkers autoparts to diagnose. Was a bad thermostat. Another week later the engine started overheating. Stopped checked coolant. Was gone out of the reservoir, which I just had filled at jiffy lube that morning. Stopped by them again, they checked the liquids, found coolant mixed in with the oil. Advised not to continue driving the vehicle since it can mess up the engine. Called dealer and had them tow it. They have been working on it for the past 4 days. Stated that it was the intake manifold gasket. Wondering if this vehicle is safe after reading several complaints regarding it. And also if pontiac would fix it.

Filed Aug 19, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · OH

2001 pontiac aztek truck. Consumer sent documents regarding work done to vehicle *tgw the consumer stated the transmission had to be replaced, the window would not go down and the check engine light illuminated

Filed Sep 11, 2008 · Brakes, Electrical · MI

My car started to run hot as soon as the car was drove about a quarter of a mile, but the fluid wasn't hot. My husband replaced the thermostat, hoses, a cooling sensor, and some other things. When none of that worked, we took it to a radiator shop and they told us we need head gaskets. We have a 2001 aztek and when we got the car in 2004, the gaskets blew but it was under warranty. That is an expensive job. Gm needs to recall this vehicle and give us all some reliable cars and trucks!

Filed Jul 29, 2008 · Engine · NY

2001 pontiac aztek I have replaced the upper and lower intake gaskets as well as thermostat at quite and expense and now the head gaskets are blown. This seems to be a very common problem with the 3.4 l from gm and it still hasn't been recalled or fixed to the consumers behalf?I have read that it was blamed on the dex-cool coolant that gm used from mid 90'5- present if that's the case why isn't gm held responsible if they know their coolant is the cause of gasket breakdown?

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Engine · 89,575 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. While the vehicle was receiving a free oil change, the contact was informed that the intake manifold was leaking antifreeze into the engine. General motors advised him to take his vehicle to a pontiac dealer. The dealer stated that they could not work on the vehicle through the warranty and advised the contact to take his vehicle to another dealer. General motors stated that they would repair the vehicle under warranty, but later changed there mind. The reference number from general motors was 71-616597877. The purchase date was unknown. The current mileage was 89,595 and failure mileage was 89,575.

Filed Aug 14, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · OK

I was finding antifreeze in my oil. Took to the shop and had to have the intake gasket and the manifold gasket replaced. Also had to have a new thermostat and pvc valve. It cost almost $900.00. This is not the only problems have had to have the front wheel bearings replaced 2 times and brake shoes 2 times. Also had to have the heater fixed. Now the AC does not work. Had to have the window control unit replaced on the driver side. Had to have computer components replaced because the battery went bad with no notice. And now the windshield wipers do not work. To fix this problem is going to cost me $200 that is just for the whole motor and connecting rods. Because it is a factory only part. All together I have paid almost $2,000.00. The AC is the condenser which is another $300.00. I have had and loved gm vehicles for awhile. But this kind of thing has never been a problem.....something has got to be done.

Filed Aug 7, 2007 · Engine, Visibility · 13,745 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztec. She stated that the condenser would not blow cold air when engaged. The dealer stated that there was a hole in the condenser. The condenser has been replaced on four occasions. The manufacturer offered her a voucher for a new vehicle. As of august 7, 2007, the failure has not been rectified. The failure mileage was 13,745 and the current mileage was 92,000. The consumer was told that brackets were punching holes in the condenser. After the last condenser replacement, the consumer smelled something burning and noticed anti-freeze leaking only when the air conditioner was on. The consumer returned to the dealership and was informed that a new radiator was needed and there was a problem with the intake. The consumer was then told the intake was ok, but a radiator was still needed. Updated 09/11/07. The blower motor was also replaced. Updated 09/11/07.

Filed Jul 16, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · NJ · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. The contact stated that the air conditioner was not working. The vehicle also began emitting smoke, but the failure was repaired. The dealer diagnosed the cause of failure as electrical. The purchase date and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage is 72,000. Updated 08/14/07.

Filed Apr 16, 2007 · Engine · IN

Last fall , 2006, heater wasn't working. Taking the radiator cap off, found heavy accumulation of gunk inside radiator. Mechanic advised that I have the radiator and cooling system flushed. Had that done;. Was not told at that time what caused this to happen. All seemed okay until about march of 2007, heater stopped working again and check engine light came on. Took it to dealership this time, for oil change and check up. They changed the oil, did some adjustments to computers ,which cost me over $200 , and said the lower intake manifold was leaking and wanted $913.00 to fix that. After feeling very ill from this news I told them, I did not have that kind of money at this time. It took everything I had to get the computers adjusted. Took it to another mechanic to get an estimate on getting the lower manifold repaired, and they told me that they had never seen a vehicle with only 79,000 miles on it with as much gunk"inside the radiator and in as bad a shape as this one was in. They were not equipped to make the repair, so I am now in the process of saving my money and trying to find someone that can fix it for less than the dealership, or get the money to take it back to them. Am borrowing vehicles from my children till then. After reading complaints on this website, I find that this is not an uncommon complaint or problem. I had purchased the extended warranty, 5 years or 75000 miles), for my vehicle shortly after I purchased it new, and that was good until june of 2006, before it reached the 75000 mile mark. Probably, last fall, it still had not reached the 75000 mile mark, but now I am told there is no recourse from manufacturer to get help in fixing this problem. Told this by the dealer.

Filed Jan 22, 2007 · Engine · 23,940 miles · IL

Tl* - the contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztec. The contact stated took the vehicle to the repair shop to be serviced and was informed that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The dex coolant used in her vehicle caused the head gasket to deteriorate. The contact then called the manufacturer and was told to take the vehicle to one of their mechanics.*ak updated 03/19/07.