2001 Pontiac Aztek: check engine light

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 Oct 9, 2008 · Fuel system · 945,000 miles · MI

In early july, 2008, service engine light came on. Dealership replaced gas cap because diagnostic code indicated fuel vapors escaping. Service engine light came on next day. Returned to dealership, explanation was that the codes must have not been reset. Service engine light came on next day. Diagnostic codes indicated that fuel vapors are escaping. Crack @ fuel fill tube is diagnosed. I had received a letter from the manufacturer (gm) about this in january 2008. The letter indicated that repairs would be made if this problem made it necessary, but not to repair unless indicated (there was no recall). The part was ordered mid-august of 2008. I was told there were no parts in inventory, nationwide. After complaining to gm customer service, I was told that the part would ship on september 19th, 2008. As of october 9th, there is still no part, still no repair. The service engine light is still on, fuel vapors are still escaping from the vehicle. Is this safe???

Filed Jul 4, 2007 · Fuel system · 87,000 miles · OH

In june of this year this 2001 pontiac aztek failed an emission test. Noted a fuel smell on and around the vehicle prior to the test as well as what appeared to be fuel on my driveway and took it to a local goodyear repair facility to investigate. They found no code in the system.took the vehicle to the emission test and failed. The code that came up at the ohio e-check facility was a "gas cap pressurization" failure. The service engine light came on june 12, and that first test date was thereabout. I went and purchased a new gas cap, the light went off and I passed the test second time around. A few weeks later the sevice engine light reappeared. Took it back to the goodyear on june 29th. The code they found was a p0440, stating a large evap leak. The mechanic found that the leak was at the tank filler neck connection and was split at the seam. It came apart by hand and it was starting to rot and had indication of stress. (it was a plastic connection piece) the entire assembly needed replacement including the tank, fuel sending unit and fuel filler neck costing us the total of $1, 927.17

Filed May 4, 2007 · Fuel system · 111,000 miles · IN

2001 pontiac aztec, check engine light came on in early april 2007. I took car to american chevrolet in danville, il for service. Service department informed me that the code indicated a problem with the fuel system, and a pressure check of the system revealed a defective gas cap. I believe the cost to read the check engine light code was $79. I had them order the gas cap and was to return in 2 days to have it installed. The next time I filled the tank,( about 2 days later), there was a strong odor of gasoline and a puddle of gasoline under the car. I returned to the dealer and informed them of this development. They inspected the car and told me that the fuel tank was now leaking at the filler inlet pipe in the lower part of the fuel tank. I viewed the car and saw gasoline dripping from the filler inlet pipe. The service tech informed me that I would need a new fuel tank. I asked the service tech if this was a common problem for the aztek model. The tech stated that he had never seen this problem before with any fuel tank. Their repair estimate for new parts and labor was about $1000. I told the service tech that I could not afford the repair at this time. Then they offered to install a used tank at a cost of about $400-$500 for parts and labor. I scheduled an appointment to install the used tank, but later cancelled it when I started investigating problems with aztek fuel tanks. The fuel tank is still leaking and eroding the asphalt on my driveway where I park my car. I need this car to get to work, but I feel nervous driving it with a fuel tank leak. I have not had the fuel tank replace because I cannot afford the repair bill ($1000), and I believe that since gm changed the design of this tank to correct this problem, that gm should pay the cost to correct the same design flaw on my vehicle. *tr ea07-006.pco

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 Nov 22, 2005 · Brakes, Engine · KY

Bought 2001 aztec because I had always liked the design. Had car for four months and brakes were squealing. Took back to dealership and was told they needed cleaning. Didn't help. Took back and then they wanted to replace the pads,which they said weren't original gm pads(even though they were inspected before I bought it) and I would have to pay because that wasn't covered by warranty. Took it 2 service center outside of dealership and brake pads were fine just emitted a lot of brake dust they both said. Head lights somewhat flicker when driving. Dual climate control passenger side light on temp went out. On taillights the finish is coming off(a common problem for these vehicles being cheap grade plastic). The driver side window button sometimes doesn't work and the entire unit fell through and had to get inside of door to push it back through to get window up because it was raining(another problem a lot of people have).it seems these vehicles have defective gas gauges. Mine went out after marathon gas had bad gas and the company had to replace everyone's sensors. I don't think it was the gas. The gas gauge always moves up and down still and when idling goes down. The ses light comes on and the car temp goes out. Had it diagnosed and the comp said temp control modulator plug was dirty. Had plug cleaned and remedied problem. 2 weeks later the same happened again and 5 min after the ses light came on the check engine soon light came on. Now both lights are on and this vehicle never has nothing going right.

Filed Oct 29, 2003 · Lights · PA

Bought the car new, since then: had to replace electrical "memory" twice because the change oil light wouldn't reset and then the service engine light came on; the condenser leaked and the air conditioner wouldn't work; now, my gas gage goes up to full, then the low fuel light comes on, then it returns to full and vice versa. I have no idea how much gas is in the car! Taking it in for repair on that issue tomorrow. The whole braking system is shaky - whenever I try to brake, if there is any kind of a bump in the road, the brakes don't grab properly and it takes way too long to stop. They checked my brakes and they are fine. Also having the dealer look at my tail light covers and roof brake light cover tomorrow, they are discolored as if acid is eating away the top part of the cover. Lastly, the "k" part of the "aztec" on the back window broke off while washing the car! And I only use a sponge!

Filed Apr 11, 2002 · Electrical · NY · fire

Consumer had to take vehicle to dealer ship for service on engine light that was illuminating on dashboard. Mechanic stated there was a short in wiring harness, resulting in a vehicle fire.