2002 Pontiac Aztek Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 121 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 159,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Pontiac Aztek, 2% of the 121 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 159,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Aztek. The contact stated that the engine overheating light illuminated while she drove at 50 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic who located the failure at the head gasket and the intake manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 127,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10509525, filed 2013-04, 127,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Pontiac Aztek. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warning and crashed into a tree. The contact mentioned that the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 192,000. The current mileage was 199,129. Updated 10/7/14”
NHTSA complaint #10592684, filed 2014-05, 192,000 miles“As noted in previous statements this vehicle is difficulty at starting and cranking at various situation. Playing the radio with engine off, must wait ten minutes before attempting to start, then it may crank or you have to start over. Its not the radio its the ignition lock cylinder as done in the past. It doesn't matter, stop, or moving it has done all you mention, and with the lights off at night you can injured a pedestrian or ourselves. …”
NHTSA complaint #10971442, filed 2017-04Related service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10178387Jul 27, 2020This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10176326May 21, 2020This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10167437Oct 14, 2019This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
- 10160987May 7, 2019This 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…
- 10160983May 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
- 10144451Aug 8, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10129097Jan 25, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about finding needle bearings during an oil change. Technician will gain access to the roller…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 Pontiac Aztek
27 complaintsEngine cooling
21 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Pontiac Aztek
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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