2001 Pontiac Aztek Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 10%of 216 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,819miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, 10% of the 216 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,819 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car rolls when in gear. Front or back, depending on the pitch of the road. At a stop light, if I took my foot off my brake, it roles back. When putting the car in the garage, I stopped half way in the car roll out into the ally. The other 35 complaints didn't have this problem, so maybe its not a common problem. There is only 20,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10021473, filed 2003-06, 20,000 miles“When I purchased my astek in july 2001, it was brand new since I have had it I have had brake problems , a wheel bearing has went out, my alignment was set wrong, I needed to get brand new tires, and my transmission is now out and its not under warranty due to high mileage. I will be investigating. And now it is sitting until I can afford $2000.00 for a transmission or I can get this resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #10054575, filed 2004-01, 60,000 miles“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“My transmission gave in after three and a half years of owning this vehicle (purchased april 2001). I became stuck in traffic as a result. However, since the very beginning, the transmission has not been running smoothly at all. My car has been taken in for various types of repairs time and time again (our dealer, lasorsa in the bronx, has all the information on the repairs they've done). It was only a matter of time before the transmission gave in completely, and now that my warranty is up, I have to pay $2500 for a new transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #10091403, filed 2004-09, 70,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek
40 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsEquipment
27 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsTires
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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