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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Pontiac Aztek Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
13%of 128 total for the year
Median mileage
49,177miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Pontiac Aztek, 13% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 49,177 miles.

Example complaints

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

“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

“Service engine soon light kept coming on. Every time I had an oil change I did mention it. Was told it was a problem with the gas cap. Water leaked from evaporator. Found body of water in body pass through connector; carpet wet underneath. Evaporated drain hose was missing, hose replaced. Seats were removed, carpet dried and floor pan and sprayed carpet with odor eliminator. Dried water and cleaned corrosion from connector.”

NHTSA complaint #10075246, filed 2004-06, 19,874 miles

“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

“It started running on its own and the RPM's went up to 3000 in park gear. I took it back to colonial service department. They looked at it and decided that I needed to have my iac - idle air control motor replaced. The next day 4/28/11, I picked up my car and drove it home. It seemed as though everything was fixed and working fine. Until, I drove my car on 4/30/11. That is when my car's RPM went up to 3500 in park gear. I was able to drive my car from south boston, ma all the way to the car dealership in watertown, ma without stepping on the gas pedal at a speed of 40 MPH. …”

NHTSA complaint #10398747, filed 2011-05, 41,506 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

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200513%
2004812%
20031713%
20022117%
20012813%

Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Aztek

Fuel system
36 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
6 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 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