2003 Pontiac Aztek Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 128 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 146,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Pontiac Aztek, 5% of the 128 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 146,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“I was driving about 4 mins. I stopped at light and car cut off. Car never cut on after. I just purchased car on june 26 2013. I was told there aren't ant problems with the car and if I have any problems to bring it back I brought it back to find that they didn't value their word. They wouldn't accept car back and exchange for my purchase. Although I am unable to drive car til this day.”
NHTSA complaint #10526096, filed 2013-07, 126,000 miles“Takata recall stalls when I'm driving or when I'm coming to a stop it will completely shut off and when I start it up and throughout the ride is shakes and vibrates sometimes it won't start sometimes it'll start right away I don't replace spark plugs coils oil changed I'm still doing the same thing every place I go saying the same thing your says possible misfires cylinder 5 fuel and c2o oxygen simpson and I also replace the fuel filter still no different still writes the same way runs hot like it's not getting no water to the engine”
NHTSA complaint #11141535, filed 2018-10, 160,007 miles“My Aztek started to sputtering one morning, bringing my car to a stop. The car stalled and I would have to restart. It seemed like I couldn't go over 40 MPH. It's just kept hiccuping. I took it to a mechanic and got a new fuel and air filter. Still having problems, I replaced the idle air control valve. That didn't fix the problem. My car continued to get worse and couldn't even get anywhere. Took it to have the catalytic converter replaced, and it ran ok for about two weeks then it began to do it again. Took it back to the shop, and diagnostics read that it needed a new o2 sensor. …”
NHTSA complaint #10593111, filed 2014-05, 146,000 miles“Engine RPM surges to over 3000 without warning. This often happens when the car is initially placed in drive after starting the engine. The driver may need to suddenly apply the brake if behind a car. The high RPM also acts as an undesired cruise control system, though the vehicle is not equipped with cruise . The driver must also firmly hold the brake pedal down while stopped as the car will lurch forward.”
NHTSA complaint #10629545, filed 2014-08, 164,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Aztek. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was unable to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10587120, filed 2014-05, 130,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 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…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Pontiac Aztek
36 complaintsElectrical system
25 complaintsBrakes
18 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
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