2003 Pontiac Aztek: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Aug 19, 2022 · Fuel system · CA

Since we first bought the car in 2005, whenever the fuel tank is filled to 3/4 or higher the car starts to smell of fuel fumes. If it is filled up full to the top, it literally spills fuel onto the ground (about 16oz). I called GM and they told me to bring it to the dealership. The dealership looked at it and determined that it is a bad weld on the fuel tank filler neck and also confirmed that the car is exhibiting the same symptoms as listed in multiple safety recalls regarding this fuel tank. The vin of this vehicle is within the range of safety recall bulletin number 06230, and is exhibiting the exact issues mentioned in that bulletin, but GM is saying that the specific vin is not included and that I need to contact the federal safety agency to have my vin added before they will fix it. The car only has 130,000 miles on it and this has been an issue for over 17 years. The dealership chat agent also told me to fill the car up to the top before bringing it in even though I told them that it's dangerous and will spill fuel. Now the vehicle is stuck at the dealership because they are saying that it's too dangerous to drive but they can't fix it until this vin is included in the recall by the federal safety agency. Upon further inspection of carcomplaints.com this appears to effect a lot more of these vehicles than the amount listed in the recall bulletin. I am certain that there are many vehicles driving around like mine that are posing a risk to the public. The car smells like an open gas can and seems like if someone were to smoke a cigarette in front of it that it would explode. This is dangerous. The crack is on top of the tank which is a place I could not have possibly caused the crack, this is 100% a manufacturing issue and my vehicle should have been included in this recall. I need my car back but can't risk my family in it until it is fixed. The dealership inspected it and GM told me to make this report.

Filed Apr 23, 2018 · Fuel system · 74,573 miles · MI

I recently borrowed my mother-in-law's vehicle. When I returned to my home I parked in the attached garage. Later, when my daughter came home she asked why it smelled like gas. I went to check and upon entering the laundry area (directly attached to the garage via access to the house) I noticed the smell. I inspected the garage and thought, perhaps, the smell was coming from a weed wacker. Later, I went to check on some laundry and the gas smell was even worse. I opened the door to access the garage and then recalled the weed wacker was actually broken and was only there to be discarded in the trash next pickup. I was concerned and went and woke my husband saying I smelled over-powering gas smell and to please come check. He indicated he thought it may be his mom's car. He came down, smelled the gas too, and we pulled the car out and parked it in the driveway and left the garage door open for a bit. The smell went away. My mother-in-law has been ill for a period of time but previously she would complain of her gas gauge not working properly. That said, I inspected both the garage and the driveway or leaks and found none. When I did move the car I did smell gas outside of the car but not nearly as strong as when it was enclosed inside the attached garage. My in-laws keep this vehicle parked in the driveway so the chance of them smelling the issue and thinking anything seriously wrong was slim. I'm not comfortable driving the car and wouldn't recommend anyone else drive it until it is evaluated by a certified mechanic (my opinion by a dealership mechanic)

Filed Sep 21, 2016 · Fuel system · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac aztek. After re-fueling the vehicle, the contact noticed strong fuel fumes inside the vehicle and near the fuel tank. The fuel and temperature gauges fluctuated up and down. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mechanic more than once. The contact also notified two different dealers to try to schedule a repair appointment. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed Jul 6, 2016 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac aztec. When there was half a tank of fuel in the vehicle, there was no leak present. However, when the vehicle had a full tank of fuel, there was a progressing leak. The contact noticed a puddle under the vehicle and strong fuel fumes were present inside and outside the vehicle. The dealer and an independent mechanic were notified. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 07e021000 (fuel system, other). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 01/26/17*lj

Filed Dec 1, 2015 · Fuel system · 161,564 miles · VA

The smell of gas, changing the fuel pump more than once. Problem reading the level of gas. Vehicle was driving when it start shaking and stop(2nd time). The vehicle was park and could not start(1st time).

Filed Jun 29, 2015 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · OH

I can smell a gas leak coming from my aztec. I do know there was a recall on the fuel system and it was never honored because there was none at that time. There is now a leak as well as a major smell of fuel coming from it. I did call about the recall and they don't want to honor it even thou it was never replaced the first time. It is going to cost me about $1500 to have it replace....I do believe the recall should be honor. I call the dealership where it was bought brand new. And spoke with the owners. And they said they never received the letter to have it replaced. The dealership said it out of warranty and they will not cover it even thou the recall was never done on it.

Filed Jul 18, 2010 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · MN

2003 pontiac aztek - fuel smell for several weeks with no obvious cause. Weather warmed during this period and smell became stronger with increased ambient temps. About three or four weeks later, fuel was found on the ground beneath the filler vent tube beginning with a small damp spot and eventually becoming a puddle (only when tank was filled). Took it local dealer where they informed me that there were no recalls for the 2003 model year and it would cost me $1200 to replace the tank. I was informed that they would accept no responsibility for the vehicle or accidents if I chose to drive the vehicle in this condition. I went home, researched the recalls and discovered that there was a recall for the 2004 model year. My vehicle was manufactured in may of 2003 and the recall began in october of 2003 for the 2004 model year. I returned to the dealer, told them that they had 12 hours to make up their minds on how they wanted to handle it. My family had to go to duluth that weekend and we had no other transportation. I told them that if anything happened as a result of that trip, they could claim all they wanted that they were not responsible but a jury would certainly see it much differently. They called me the next morning and scheduled an appointment to replace the tank and I agreed to pony up $100 of the cost just to be fair. The vehicle had about 60,000 on it at the time.

Filed Oct 24, 2007 · Fuel system · 108,000 miles · VA

We have replaced the gas tank on our 2003 aztek because it was leaking gasoline from around the joint with the filler tube and filling our house (with attached garage) with a strong gas smell. We understand from your website that this problem is the subject of a recall. The original tank is not available.

Filed Feb 1, 2007 · Fuel system · 55,200 miles · TX

Tl*- the contact has a 2003 pontiac aztec 55200. On january 31, 2007 the contact found a pool of leaked fuel under the vehicle after he sensed a gas smell. The vehicle was parked in the garage the night before. The smell traveled from the garage to the home over night, and was noticed in the early morning hours. The contact then ventilated the home ,and took the vehicle to the dealer that morning. The service adviser determined that the gas tank separated from the main hold, causing the gas leak. The contact filed a complaint against gmc because the leak could have been ignited and a fire may have occurred. *ak ea07-006.pco

Filed Sep 12, 2006 · Fuel system · 47,500 miles · WA

Dt*: the contact stated a smell of fuel was noticed after the vehicle was parked in a driveway. The contact filled the gas tank shortly before the smell was noticed, and believed that some fuel may have spilled causing the smell. A week later, the contact noticed a puddle of fuel under the vehicle while it was parked. Upon visual inspection, the contact noticed gas leaking from the weld where the filler neck met the tank. The contact drove the vehicle to the independent dealer where the vehicle was purchased from. The independent dealer contacted an authorized sales dealer to check for any recalls. There was a the federal safety agency recall, #03v454000, regarding the fuel system, gasoline: storage. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Both dealers determined that the fuel tank needed to be replaced.