As noted in previous statements this vehicle is difficulty at starting and cranking at various situation. Playing the radio with engine off, must wait ten minutes before attempting to start, then it may crank or you have to start over. Its not the radio its the ignition lock cylinder as done in the past. It doesn't matter, stop, or moving it has done all you mention, and with the lights off at night you can injured a pedestrian or ourselves. This car was recall and it was said to have been fix but here we stuck here from 04/07/17 possibly will get help from the nearest gmc car dealer on 04/10/17. Keep all this information for official used only. Thanks updated 05/17/17*lj updated 07/25/2017
The worst 2002 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.
- Fuel system27
- Engine24
- Suspension20
- Electrical18
- Brakes16
- Body11
- Locks10
- Transmission9
- Lights7
- Visibility4
- Acceleration2
- Steering2
- Wheels2
- Airbags1
- Driver assistance1
- Seats1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Pontiac Aztek
Headlights 8Check engine light 7Door locks 7Fuel leak 7Overheating 6Knocking 5
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage
- 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 manual
- 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
See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Pontiac Aztek
Defect investigations
Fuel tank leakage
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 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.
RQ06009
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Pontiac Aztek 363
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- Unknown or other
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
2002 Pontiac Aztek fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6‑cyl | FWD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
| 3.4L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 22 | 18 |
What 2002 Pontiac Aztek owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac aztek. After refueling the vehicle, it was noticed that the vehicle was losing fuel faster than usual. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank, fuel pump, and fuel tank lines failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
2002 pontiac aztek. Consumer writes in regards to fuel odors and leaks by the fuel tank inlet. Consumers internet search found an expired recall bulletin for the same issue, requests assistance with repairs. *smd the consumer noticed the fuel smell was stronger after he filled up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac aztek. The contact smelled a strong fuel odor present in the vehicle without warning. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. Updated 05/06/16*lj the consumer stated there was a fuel leaking from the vehicle whenever the it was filled. The consumer was not included in the recall due to the age of the vehicle. Updated 11/1/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac aztek. While driving 45 MPH, the alarm system sounded, the locks operated on their own, and the trunk opened without being prompted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac aztek. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warning and crashed into a tree. The contact mentioned that the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 192,000. The current mileage was 199,129. Updated 10/7/14
The car key can be removed after the car has been started. The vehicle can be driven without a key in the ignition.
2002 pontiac aztek was parked and was idling. Smelled strong odor of fuel. Upon examination, fuel was leaking profusely around the filler tube. Tried to have it sealed by a certified mechanic. It could not be repaired. Tank will leak out any fuel quantity over 3 us gallon. It does not leak when kept under this quantity of fuel.
In a hard stop in stop-and-go rush hour freeway traffic, a corroded steel hydraulic brake line failed. This was the line from the ABS module to the right front brake. As such it immediately caused a substantial loss of braking ability - I was in the far left lane and I was able to abruptly move to the left shoulder. Had I been in one of the center lanes there would have been a crash, it would have been unavoidable, the rear brakes were still functional and I still had limited braking ability. At the point that this line actually broke, it was spraying brake fluid directly on the exhaust system. I am not certain whether there was a fire, the mechanic says there may have been. There certainly was a lot of smoke. The line in question is secured to the firewall and is routed close to the exhaust at that point. It appears that over time this combination allows corrosion to weaken the line at this particular point. The remaining lines on this vehicle are in good condition and I believe they will last the life of the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 pontiac aztek. The contact stated that the engine overheating light illuminated while she drove at 50 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic who located the failure at the head gasket and the intake manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 127,000.
Compare the 2002 Pontiac Aztek
Other model years
Questions about the 2002 Pontiac Aztek
Is the 2002 Pontiac Aztek reliable?
Owners have filed 121 complaints about the 2002 Pontiac Aztek, close to a typical Aztek model year.
What is the 2002 Pontiac Aztek year score?
The 2002 Pontiac Aztek scores 75 out of 100 (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 2002 Pontiac Aztek?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 27 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles. Next is engine (24).
How many recalls does the 2002 Pontiac Aztek have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and equipment.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Pontiac Aztek fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 07V349000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Pontiac Aztek have the most fuel system problems?
The Pontiac Aztek model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2001 (39 complaints), 2003 (36 complaints) and 2002 (27 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Pontiac Aztek get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Pontiac Aztek range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.4L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.
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