2001 Pontiac Aztek Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 Aztek most often write about fuel leaks at the tank and filler neck, electrical faults that affect gauges, lights and locks, and air conditioning that stops cooling. Reports span a wide mileage range; fuel tank leaks often appear after fill-ups and in hot weather, while electrical and gauge problems tend to come on gradually and then stay.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel leak at tank inlet / filler neck

   • 38 complaints (18%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (30 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2017

   Complaints describe a gasoline smell and a puddle under the vehicle, usually noticed after filling the tank and often traced to the joint where the filler neck or inlet check valve meets the plastic tank. Some owners report repeated tank replacements for the same leak. Several say the dealer told them their VIN was not covered by the fuel tank recall, and a few report being quoted several hundred dollars or more for a new tank. Mostly reported between roughly 39,000 and 130,000 miles, frequently shortly after refueling and in hot weather.

   Recall 07V349000

   What to check: After a fill-up, look for wetness or a fuel smell around the rear of the tank and the filler neck seam. Ask whether the tank has been replaced and whether recall 07V349000 applied to the vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The fuel tank of my 2001 Pontiac Aztek began to leak at the neck(of the tank). At my dealership (marietta gmc, Pontiac) I was told that there is a TSB on this problem and the mechanic stated that the procedure was to replace the tank at a cost of $ 950.00 to me. I feel that this is a safety concern and should be addressed via recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10138055, filed 2005-09, 68,780 miles

   “I noticed fuel leaking from underneath the car onto the pavement. Upon closer observation I determined that the source of the leak was the joint were the fuel filler neck enters the fuel tank. This joint appears to be leaking through the plastic weld. My vehicle was not covered under the recall. But it is my intention to try and get GM to cover the cost of replacement.”

   NHTSA complaint #10244301, filed 2008-10, 124,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: gauges, lights, locks, ignition

   • 44 complaints (20%)
   • median 54,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2019

   Owners describe intermittent failures of the instrument cluster, exterior and interior lights, power windows, door locks, chimes and rear hatch, sometimes traced by technicians to a body control module. Others report the engine not cranking or the key not turning or not releasing from the ignition. Several say the vehicle was taken to multiple shops without a clear diagnosis. Spread from about 16,000 to 162,000 miles, often described as intermittent at first and more frequent over time.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: With the car running, test every gauge, light, window, lock and the rear hatch, then shut it off and check that the key moves freely and comes out. Ask whether the body control module or ignition switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Aztek which has 92,000 miles, suffers from what is sometimes called the disco Aztek meaning my bcu went out. This has caused the pw, pl, gauge cluster back light, rear hatch, and radio to quit working. This is not only a safety hazard but is annoying. It is estimated to cost around $300 to fix. Good news is that there is a way to manually release the rear hatch, if you've got some tools.”

   NHTSA complaint #10266682, filed 2009-04, 90,000 miles

   “It all started with my lights not turning off at night. I would have to disconnect my battery to get the lights to go off. Then the chimes would not go off. Disconnect battery again. Was told to replace key fob battery. A couple of weeks later, door locks, gauges, all dash lights, horn, headlights, went crazy driving down the highway with my 7 year old son with me. I have taken this vehicle to 7 or 8 places including the Pontiac dealership and noone knows what to do. Noone!!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10193092, filed 2007-06, 69,000 miles
3. 3
   Equipment

   A/C condenser crack and loss of cooling

   • 24 complaints (11%)
   • median 45,000 mi at 3.6 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2009

   Complaints describe the air conditioning blowing warm, sometimes within days of a recharge, with dye testing pointing to a crack or hole in the condenser at the lower right corner. Several owners say a bracket was identified as the reason the condenser failed again in the same spot, and some report the condenser being replaced multiple times. Repairs were quoted in the hundreds of dollars each time, and owners say Pontiac offered no assistance. Commonly reported between about 38,000 and 50,000 miles, with repeat failures in the same location.

   What to check: Run the A/C on a warm day and confirm the air gets cold and stays cold. Ask how many times the condenser has been replaced and whether the mounting bracket was addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Took my 2001 Pontiac Aztek in last week 10 mar 04 with a A/C problem. They told me it was low on freon and serviced it back up and sent me on my way. 5 days later turned on the A/C and again no cold air. Took my Aztek back in today and they called and told me that I have a crack in my condenser on the right side on the bottom. Look up on NHTSA web site and find a technical service bulletin and call Pontiac but they don't have it on their system so they will not offer any assistance for me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10062329, filed 2004-03, 38,850 miles

   “Air conditioning replaced 4 times at my own expense once when it was under warranty. Shortly after it broke again due to defect in manufacturing as stated by the dealership. Hole is created due to bracket and coolant leaks out. The purchase and install of a new one has cost me $1200 each time it happens and for the past 4 years I've just driven without air conditioning due to the cost factor and knowing it's going to happen again in the next 2 months. Everytime it was replaced it was for the same problem a hole in the condenser. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221030, filed 2008-03, 10,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant leaks and intake manifold gasket failure

   • 18 complaints (8%)
   • median 56,236 mi at 4.2 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2010

   Owners report a sweet smell of coolant, fluid under the vehicle and low coolant, traced by mechanics to a leaking intake manifold or head gasket on the 3.4L V6. Some mention that the low-coolant warning did not come on even when the level was well down. Repairs at independent shops and dealers were quoted in the several-hundred-dollar range, and owners say the manufacturer declined to help with cost. Reported from roughly 24,000 to 80,000 miles, often noticed after the car sits or on startup.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level in the reservoir and look for coolant residue or seepage along the intake manifold and head gasket area. Ask whether the intake manifold gaskets have been replaced and what coolant was used.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my 2001 Pontiac Aztek in november of 2003. Since then it was diagnosed with a leaking gasket requiring a repair of $750, which I have since discovered is not an usual problem with this vehicle. I have also noticed some very odd things about this vehicle: 1.when on an incline, once I remove my foot from the brake pedal the vehicle immediately starts to roll back, which risks me striking anything behind me. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10102122, filed 2004-12, 52,000 miles

   “- 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. Updated 03/19/07.”

   NHTSA complaint #10179337, filed 2007-01, 23,940 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission noise, slipping or failure

   • 19 complaints (9%)
   • median 52,409 mi at 3.6 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2010

   Complaints describe the transmission suddenly making noise, banging into gear, slipping or losing forward and reverse gears, sometimes with no warning. Owners report rebuilds or replacements quoted at roughly $2,000 to $3,900, with one owner describing similar troubles from early in the vehicle's life. Mostly reported between about 39,000 and 83,000 miles, sometimes during acceleration or on rough roads.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: During a test drive, listen for clunks or whines and feel for delayed or harsh shifts, including reverse. Ask for transmission service records and whether the fluid was ever changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission went out on my 2001 Pontiac Aztek. When my wife drove over railroad tracks a load sound came from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was driving erratically. She pushed the onstar button and they told her there was a problem with the transmission. We took it to a local repair shop and they had to rebuild the whole transmission and even service some parts for the all wheel drive transfer case. The vehicle only has 80,000 miles, this is not normal!”

   NHTSA complaint #10141981, filed 2005-11, 83,000 miles

   “I have a 2001 pontaic Aztek with 39,978 miles on it. My transmission has gone bad already and is going to cost 2,000+ dollars for repair. I feel that this problem has happened far to soon for a newer vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10030349, filed 2003-07, 39,974 miles

Buying note. A 2001 Aztek with service records for the intake gaskets, transmission, A/C condenser and fuel tank is the safer starting point; check for fuel odors after refueling and test every electrical function before buying. Because complaint mileage varies widely, a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system, transmission and body electronics is worthwhile.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.