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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2001–2005

Pontiac Aztek recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 566 owner complaints for the Pontiac Aztek, covering model years 2001 to 2005. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (216), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Pontiac Aztek VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 8 recall campaigns on file
  • 566 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (2001–2005)
  • most complaints: 2001 (216 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (107 complaints)
  • latest recall 07V349000 (reported Aug 8, 2007)
  • 28 complaints reporting a crash (4.9%)
  • 13 complaints reporting a fire (2.3%)
  • 25 complaints reporting an injury (4.4%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Pontiac Aztek complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 216 of 566, or 38.2%. Next come 2003 (128) and 2002 (121). The fewest are for 2005, with 34 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Pontiac Aztek owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2001–2005Column chart of 566 complaints across 5 model years. The highest is 2001 with 216. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2001: 216 complaints21620012002: 121 complaints12120022003: 128 complaints12820032004: 67 complaints6720042005: 34 complaints342005
Pontiac Aztek complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Pontiac Aztek complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2001216146150
20021212120
20031285630
2004675050
2005342000
All model years5662813250

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Pontiac Aztek components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 107 complaints (18.9% of all 566), followed by Fuel System, Gasoline (81) and Engine and Engine Cooling (75).

Components named most often in Pontiac Aztek complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Pontiac Aztek complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System10718.9%
Fuel System, Gasoline8114.3%
Engine and Engine Cooling7513.3%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic6311.1%
Power Train539.4%
Suspension508.8%
Equipment407.1%
Air Bags386.7%
Fuel/Propulsion System305.3%
Visibility274.8%
Structure234.1%
Unknown or Other223.9%
Exterior Lighting213.7%
Latches/Locks/Linkages213.7%
Vehicle Speed Control203.5%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Pontiac Aztek recalls

8 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Aztek, newest first. The 8 campaigns cover model years 2001 to 2004. The 2001 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).

  • 8 recall campaigns
Pontiac Aztek recall campaigns covering each model year
2001: 5 campaigns2002: 2 campaigns2003: 3 campaigns2004: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 07V349000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage

    Model years 2001–2004

    On certain vehicles, variations in the manufacturing process or exposure to high ambient temperatures may lead to fracture of the fuel tank inlet check valve (icv).

    Consequence:
    A fracture may allow fuel vapors to pass through and allow droplets of fuel to accumulate on the side of the fuel tank. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the fuel tank. The recall will be mailed in two phases with the first phase beginning on December 4, 2007. The second phase will be mailed on December 13, 2007. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668. The vehicle population includes Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Aztek vehicle built in May 2003; Chevrolet Venture and Pontiac Montana vehicles built from June through August 2002; and all vehicles registered in Nevada, Arizona, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 05V157000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition

    Model year 2004

    On certain sport utility vehicles, contamination on ignition relay contacts can cause high resistance. This can affect signals to the powertrain control module and, could cause intermittent vehicle stalls at any time.

    Consequence:
    The vehicle cannot be restarted immediately. If this were to occur, it could result in a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the ignition relay free of charge. The recall began on May 4, 2005. Owners may contact Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668 and Buick at 1-866-608-8080.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 03V454000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage

    Model year 2004

    On certain passenger vehicles, a weld between the fuel tank inlet check valve and the fuel tank can fail.

    Consequence:
    If these parts separate, the driver may notice an odor of fuel, the service engine soon or check engine light may illuminate, and/or fuel may leak onto the ground. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the serial number of the fuel tank to see if it is on the list of affected tanks. If the serial number matches, the fuel tank will be replaced. Owner notification began November 4, 2003. Owners should contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080 or Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 03V250000

    Reported

    Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual

    Model years 2001–2003

    Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." The owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.

    Consequence:
    This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
    Remedy:
    Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began August 18, 2003. Owners should contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 03V052000

    Reported

    Steering

    Model year 2003

    In some of these sport utility vehicles, the diameter of the steering column intermediate shaft is too small.

    Consequence:
    This condition could allow the intermediate shaft to spin inside the steering column coupling, resulting in loss of steering control of the vehicle. If this were to happen while the vehicle is moving, a crash could resulting without prior warning.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the steering column intermediate shaft. Owners were notified by telephone on February 7, 2003, with a follow-up letter on February 11, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Buick at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 02V329000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2001

    On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.

    Consequence:
    This could increase the severity of injury to a person who was not properly restrained and who was close to the passenger air bag at the time of deployment. It could also reduce the AB8ILITY of the air bag to protect a restrained front seat passenger.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began December 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt #3.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 01V383000

    Reported

    Seats › Front Assembly › Recliner

    Model year 2001

    Vehicle description: certain mini vans built with second row 50/50 split bench seats or captain's chairs, fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 225, "child restraint anchorage systems." The seat latch anchor wire diameter is greater than 6.1 mm.

    Consequence:
    If the connector for a latch-type child restraint is not attached correctly to the anchorage points, the restraint will not properly protect a child in the event of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the latch anchor wires and repair those with an improper diameter. Owner notification began April 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 01V026000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2001

    Vehicle description: passenger, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash that would trigger a passenger air bag deployment, a double load of generant can cause the inflator module to explode. If the air bag module explodes, metal and plastic debris could cause severe injury to vehicle occupant. A module with no generant would not inflate the air bag, and the occupants could receive more severe injuries.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on January 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on April 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, Pontiac at 1-800-762-2737, or Saturn at 1-800-553-6000.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Pontiac Aztek questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Pontiac Aztek have?

NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recall campaigns for the Pontiac Aztek, covering model years 2001 to 2005. The most recent, 07V349000, was reported on August 8, 2007 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 2001 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).

Which Pontiac Aztek model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 216 of the 566 complaints in NHTSA’s file (38.2%). The next are 2003 (128) and 2002 (121). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Pontiac Aztek complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 107 complaints, or 18.9% of all 566. Fuel System, Gasoline (81) and Engine and Engine Cooling (75) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Pontiac Aztek?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Pontiac dealer.

How many Pontiac Aztek complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 566 complaints, 28 report a crash, 13 a fire, 25 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Pontiac models

8 models · most complaints first

The Pontiac models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Pontiac VIN decoder with every Pontiac model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Pontiac models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.