Skip to content
Air bagsPart report

2001 Pontiac Aztek Air bags Problems

Complaints
27about this part
Share
13%of 216 total for the year
Median mileage
125,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, 13% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Front crash against a solid corner of a building, aprox speed crash 45 MPH. Gm did not want to repair or replaced, instead faced a trial where they committed a fraud and other felonious, all of them proven, still after nearly 9 years still facing civil and criminal charges. Gm dealer with false statement still now a days keeps the vehicle, same that still can be analyzed now a days because it has not been repaired. Lots of damage caused by GM, dealers, lawyers and expert witnesses. …”

NHTSA complaint #10315325, filed 2010-03, 16,000 miles

“Air bag light stayed illuminated while driving. Vehicle was inspected by the dealer, and dealer informed the consumer that side air bag module needed to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #10075998, filed 2004-07, 40,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac aztec. The contact stated that while loading the vehicle with boxes, the side air bag deployed erroneously, striking a passenger. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was waiting for a corporate engineer to further inspect the damage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 197,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10464429, filed 2012-07, 197,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Aztek. While attempting to close the door, the air bags deployed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10714071, filed 2015-05, 130,000 miles

“On 01/05/2002 I rear-ended a 1999 cadillac deville going approximately 40mph. Upon impact, my airbags did not deploy and my seatbelt did not hold me from hittig the steering wheel with my chest. I had reported to the dealer that I didn't think the seatbelts in the front were working correctly not more than two weeks after purchase. He convinced me that these were newer seatbelts that do not react as sensitive as the older model vehicles. I ended up being transported to the hospital with chest contusions, leg contustions and cervical strain. …”

NHTSA complaint #757490, filed 2002-01

Related recalls

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200526%
200457%
200332%
200211%
20012713%

Other parts of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

Electrical system
40 complaints
Fuel system
39 complaints
Brakes
31 complaints
Engine cooling
28 complaints
Equipment
27 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
22 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaints
Other or unknown
12 complaints
Tires
10 complaints
Vehicle speed control
10 complaints
Exterior lighting
9 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology