2003 Pontiac Aztek suspension problems

Filed Jun 27, 2012 · Brakes, Fuel system · 150,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 pontiac aztek. The contact stated that the brakes did not always respond and needed to be applied repeatedly in order to function as normal. The contact also stated that the anti lock brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, where faulty sensors where replaced; however the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, who found a leak on the fuel injection system. The contact replaced the fuel injection system. The vehicle then experienced difficulty driving uphill. The vehicle's speed decreased and the contact was unable to accelerate. The mechanic stated that the pivotal joints in the rear wheels were defective and caused unusual tread wear and tear of the tires. The vehicle was included in the recalls associated with the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 07e021000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices) and 07v349000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage). The manufacturer was made aware, however no assistance was provided due to mileage on vehicle. The failure mileage was 150,000. The current mileage was 160,000.

Filed May 20, 2012 · Suspension · 106,000 miles · NY

I noticed that when I am on an uneven road or hit a bump just right, the vehicle swerves badly, sometimes into the other lane. I called pontiac and was advised that this is a safety hazard not just to the driver of the vehicle but to others on the roads also. They told me that I need to take it to the dealership to get a diagnosis. I advised them that there are many complaints on the internet about the same thing & these people have spent thousands of dollars & it is still not fixed. I advised pontiac that this is going to cause a major wreck one day & they are going to be liable for not recognizing the problem & fixing it. I am very upset about this problem with the suspension and the steering that it just pulls any direction when just a little bump..I would like something done about this problem.......

Filed Sep 19, 2011 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 101,000 miles · OK

In april 2011 on bumpy roads a grinding noise would come on and it took longer to stop the car. I called the dealer and was told it was probably the ABS system and could be a number of things, the computer module may be bad, the sensors on each wheel could be bad. I took the car in for service in may, had to replace the wheel bearings on one wheel and was told it was fixed $540. Then in june the car started doing the same thing, took it in again, was told another wheel needed new bearings $740 with a warranty. In august car started the vibrating and grinding again, you can hear a vibration like a motor or something comes on and then when you try to stop you have to push really really hard. At that point I went on line to check it out, seems lots of people who own either a 2003 pontiac aztek or a 2003 buick rendevous are having these same issues. The dealers are taking advantage of a defect in the car. All the blogs that I saw online are having the same problem. Many people have repacked the bearings on all wheels, replace sensors and the harness to the computer module and nothing seems to work and the dealers don't seem to know how to fix it once and for all. My car has always been worked on by the dealer. So far my dealer hasn't mentioned the computer sensor but I'm sure after I've replaced all wheel bearings they will get to that. Bottom line is if all these people are having this same safety issue, your dept needs to look at it. This is a safety issue with the ABS braking system and no one seems to know how to fix it. We are keeping our cars longer and they should last well over 100,000 miles with proper maintenance. So now I have a perfectly good car with a perfectly good engine, but no ABS braking system and it can't seem to be fixed!

Filed Dec 15, 2008 · Suspension · 118,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 pontiac aztek. The contact repeatedly experiences failure with the front wheel of her vehicle. On december 9, 2003, the contact took the vehicle in for the hub assembly and wheel bearing to be replaced under warranty. The failures recurred and when she returned to the dealer, they stated that she would be responsible for the repair costs because the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact became upset with the dealer and called pontiac to inform them that the failure occurred prior to the repair as well; therefore, she would not pay for the repairs. The dealer repaired the vehicle for free. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a third time because it overheated and the warning light for the antilock brakes illuminated. The mechanic performed a diagnostic test and found that the anitlock and intake manifold and front driver's side wheel bearing needed to be replaced again. The contact began researching the issue for assistance. The failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Dec 21, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · OK

I purchased a used 2003 pontiac aztek in oct of 2006, it has 43k miles. The next day, I noticed a squealing noise when I turned, I took it back to the dealership and was advised it was due to the vehicle being "all wheel drive". About 4 days later, I noticed that when I am on an uneven road or hit a bump just right, the vehicle swerves badly, sometimes into the other lane. I called pontiac and was advised that this is a safety hazard not just to the driver of the vehicle but to others on the roads also. They told me that I need to take it to the dealership to get a diagnosis. I advised them that there are many complaints on the internet about the same thing & these people have spent thousands of dollars & it is still not fixed. I advised pontiac that this is going to cause a major wreck one day & they are going to be liable for not recognizing the problem & fixing it.

Filed Jan 29, 2006 · Suspension · 40,000 miles · WI

Wheel bearings defective.

Filed Feb 12, 2005 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · MI

Loose lumber noise/clunk in rear suspension - 2003 pontiac aztec - service bulletin exists for repair but out of warranty. This is a very expensive repair.

Filed Feb 4, 2005 · Body, Engine · 18,500 miles · MI

We purchased a new 2003 pontiac aztek in march of 2003. To date we have had the car in for repairs on the heater fan motor replaced twice, the drivers door hinges reset twice, the rear trunk release replaced twice, repainted the drivers door and rear drivers area near taillight because the paint was gone, several no-starts that were not repeated at the garage-but needed jump starts to run, rear drivers tail-light was replaced once because it was falling out and its starting to fall out again, front wheel bearings are being replaced tomorrow. We have a little over 18,000 miles on the car and hate it and will probably never buy another pontiac because of this lemon. All repairs have been done under warranty so far, but what happens when that runs out? Sell it to the next sucker I guess. *jb

Filed Jul 30, 2004 · Suspension · 15,500 miles · MI

Both front wheel bearings failed at 16,000 miles. Dealer replaced both hub assemblies. Dealer did not have any reason for extremely premature failure.

Filed Mar 30, 2004 · Suspension, Visibility · 8,536 miles · NY

We purchased our 2003 pontiac aztek last july (03). This january, the vehicle started making a horrible grinding noise when driving on the highway. We took it to our local gm dealer for repair, and the left front wheel bearing had separated internally and needed to be replaced on 2/4/04. A few weeks later, noise returned. The right front wheel bearing had to be replaced today (3/29/04). This vehicle has less than 12,000 miles on it. One of the employees at the dealership said another aztek with low mileage had to have one bearing replaced twice. Could gm have gotten a defective batch of bearings, or is there possibly some design flaw that causes the bearings to wear out abnormally quickly? For the most part, I love this vehicle, but there are two other issues with it which could make it less safe to drive. The 'spoiler' between the slanted and verticle parts of the back window does impair rearward vision (I usually use the outside mirrors to check behind me because of that fact). Also, the windshield wipers move more slowly, even in the fast position, than most vehicles we've owned, which impairs visibility even in moderate rainfall.