2003 Pontiac Aztek Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2003 Aztek most often describe fuel smells and leaks traced to the fuel tank inlet check valve and filler neck, frequently after filling the tank and often worse in warm weather. Electrical faults that cause stalling, no-starts, intermittent gauges and wiper failures appear next, followed by brake complaints, cooling fan and coolant problems, and transmission or shifting faults. Reported mileages are wide, from a few hundred to over 200,000, with many complaints filed well past the warranty period.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leak at tank inlet / filler neck

   • 28 complaints (22%)
   • median 77,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2022

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell around the vehicle or in an attached garage, often noticed shortly after filling the tank, followed by fuel dripping or pooling under the vehicle near the filler neck and tank inlet. Complaints say the leak came from the joint where the filler tube meets the tank or from the inlet check valve area. Several owners report the dealer declined to cover the repair, saying the vehicle's VIN was not included in a fuel-system recall and quoting repair costs. Reported across a wide mileage range, most often between roughly 40,000 and 110,000 miles, and several owners note the smell worsened in warm weather.

   Recall 07V349000

   What to check: After filling the tank, check under the vehicle and around the filler neck for wet spots or drips, and note any fuel smell in the cabin or garage. Ask whether recall 07V349000 was performed on this VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have replaced the gas tank on our 2003 Aztek because it was leaking gasoline from around the joint with the filler tube and filling our house (with attached garage) with a strong gas smell. We understand from your website that this problem is the subject of a recall. The original tank is not available.”

   NHTSA complaint #10206818, filed 2007-10, 108,000 miles

   “I have a 2003 Aztek and the fuel tank has been leaking from the weld at the check valve and the tank. I have found a recall for the same problem on the 2004 models when I called Pontiac they said there was no problems with this model but it is the same problem as the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10137013, filed 2005-09, 31,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Stalling, no-start and intermittent electrical faults

   • 44 complaints (34%)
   • median 94,171 mi at 8.5 yrs old (33 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,100 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2018

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning while driving, sometimes at low speed or in turns, with the battery light coming on and steering assist lost; some vehicles restart normally afterward. Others report no-start conditions, gauges and warning lights behaving erratically, and in a few cases wiring or connectors damaged by water intrusion into the floor area. Complaints mention ignition switch, body control module and fuse-related diagnoses, with dealers often unable to reproduce the fault. Spread from under 10,000 to over 200,000 miles, with many reports in the 60,000-130,000 mile range.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether any stalling or no-start repairs were made and whether the ignition switch or body control module was replaced. Check for water on the floors or under the carpets and inspect fuse box and connector areas for corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have been having issues with my azrek shutting off on me in the middle of driving and now it wint even start. I have replaced the fuel pump and vapor sensor due to it not getting any fuel pressure. I have researched and there are 2 different recalls for my vehicle which have not been done due to my VIN not being acnowleged with the recall”

   NHTSA complaint #11067057, filed 2018-02, 153,000 miles

   “The engine started to run hot and after investigating the problem at home we discovered that the engine cooling fans were not working. We did not find any leaks or disconnected belts or hoses. We have not had a professional look at it yet but we are very certain that the fans are not coming on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10252115, filed 2008-12, 49,177 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake vibration, dragging and long pedal

   • 12 complaints (9%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2017

   Complaints describe vibration or grinding while braking, an anti-lock light coming on without a slippery surface, and pedal feel that seems to release or travel unusually far. Some owners report repeated wheel bearing and hub replacements that did not stop the noise, and one complaint describes a brake line corroded by the air conditioning condensation drain. Dealers reportedly replaced drums, sensors and bearings with mixed results. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 130,000 miles, with some early reports under 15,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test braking from highway speed and feel for pulsation or pulling, and check whether the ABS light stays on. Have the brake lines, especially near the A/C drain, inspected for corrosion on a vehicle stored in a wet climate.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We purchased this vehicle as a GM certified vehicle but found out later that it was not properly inspected as the brakes were bad all of the way around. The dealer took care of it, but 3 days later a loud humming started to occur when we turned the vehicle left. Upon reporting it to the dealership, they told me they could fix it for $600+. This problem has since gotten worse to the point where the humming almost drowns out your voice when you drive down the road. And if you turn left, it is so loud that it hurts your ears. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10188392, filed 2007-04, 33,500 miles

   “The brakes want stop on time and the car is making all kind of loud noises like something is loose in the front went I turn right. The heater want work on high. I had the front drivers side wheel barrel replaced because it went out now this. After 20 years I finally brought a brand new car and it seams to have more major problems then a use one . I am very disappointed I have just started riding the bus because I can't afford to get this fixed and I am afraid I will crash. They should do a recall on the 2003 Aztek for the brakes before someone is injured. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221834, filed 2008-03, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Coolant loss, head or intake gasket leaks and overheating

   • 10 complaints (8%)
   • median 49,583 mi at 4.2 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2009

   Owners report coolant disappearing or leaking into the oil, leaving a milky appearance, with some told the intake manifold gasket was the cause and others told the head gaskets needed replacement. Several complaints describe the engine running hot, a sweet coolant smell after driving, or cooling fans that did not come on. In a few cases the repair was repeated when the first gasket replacement did not stop the leak. Reported from very low mileage (a few hundred miles) and again commonly between roughly 40,000 and 75,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the coolant level and condition, look for a milky film under the oil filler cap, and confirm the cooling fans run when the engine is warm and the A/C is on. Ask about any gasket or coolant-related repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Electric cooling fans malfuntioned. I purchased the vehicle 6/30/2003 and I have noticed the temp guage fluctuating. I took it to the dealership for repair and they found that the electric cooling fans were not working. There were only 600 miles on the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10026051, filed 2003-07, 615 miles

   “Vehicle would not start one day, the start the next. Then it wouldn't start at all. Had heater problem before, but when they checked it , it was fine. Then when it wouldn't start at all, had it towed. The garage I had it towed to had been the one to check the heater a couple of weeks prior to it breaking down, they had given it an oil change also. After the tow, they informed me that anti-freeze had been getting into the intake oil(head gaskets),and they would have to take it all apart(labor!!!)---and that the fuel pump was bad. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10182782, filed 2007-02, 49,989 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or failed transmission shifting

   • 17 complaints (13%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 3.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2014

   Owners describe the transmission slipping or failing to move the vehicle, with engine speed climbing while road speed does not, and in some cases a replacement transmission was recommended. Some complaints mention difficulty shifting out of park or the vehicle rolling in gear on a grade, which dealers described as normal operation. Others report harsh noise or a hum from the driveline that grew louder over time. Reported from under 15,000 miles up to about 150,000 miles, with many around 60,000-90,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the vehicle on a grade and check whether it holds position in drive and reverse, and listen for humming or grinding while turning. Ask for transmission service records and whether any repairs or replacement were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Vehicle is automatic but still rolls backward in drive. Dealer's service department says this is normal. I've driven for almost 50 years and no other vehicle I have driven that was automatic did this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10063870, filed 2004-03, 13,061 miles

   “2003 Aztek with 65000 miles have to replace transmission. Contacted GM said I did not have fluid changed at 50,000 miles that the trouble was my fault. I contacted GM they said nothing they could do. I contacted 3 other transmission shops---all 3 said changing the fluid would not have stopped the problem. Gm then tells me they can not take the word of another mechanic because they are not GM certified. I will never buy GM again. I was told this would be a very dependable car. Not even 3 years old. I should not have this problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10161131, filed 2006-06, 65,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the fuel tank area for leaks or a strong fuel smell, coolant and oil condition, and brake and driveline noise, since these account for most reported issues. Ask the seller for service records and confirm which open recalls, if any, were completed for this VIN.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 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.