2001 Pontiac Aztek recalls and problems

The 2001 Pontiac Aztek has 5 safety recalls and 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Pontiac dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
216
Crashes / fires
14 / 6
Injuries / deaths
18 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2001 Pontiac Aztek vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2001 Pontiac Aztek recalls

Recall 07V-349: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Aug 8, 2007 · 20,594 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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).

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 03V-250: Equipment

Reported Jul 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.

Fix: 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.

Recall 02V-329: Air Bags

Reported Dec 9, 2002 · 272 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 01V-383: Seats

Reported Dec 13, 2001 · 75,816 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 01V-026: Air Bags

Reported Feb 1, 2001 · 38 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2001 Pontiac Aztek problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System49
Fuel System, Gasoline30
Equipment28
Engine and Engine Cooling28
Air Bags27
Service Brakes, Hydraulic27
Power Train24
Visibility15
Exterior Lighting13
Unknown or Other11
Tires10
Vehicle Speed Control10

Most reported parts

  • Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner — 22
  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 15
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 9
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage — 9
  • Air Bags › Frontal — 8
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly — 8
  • Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System — 7
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 6

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 60,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2001 Pontiac Aztek complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · at 147,654 miles · reported May 23, 2019
Bout 3 weeks ago car just keep acting up had it for one year cant read codes on car keep overheating replaced radiator cvl axle brakes oil change transmission fluid car just decided to not pass 50mph be driveable one day driving it went to a stop sign brake car cut off I see check gauges come on service light on cant read codes to find out anything I think the wiring is mess up replaced started as well just to much only had it for a 1and a half
Unknown or Other · reported Apr 30, 2018
I have replace 2 ignition switches, and still having problems..the key will not come out/unlock when switching car off..which kills the battery because I can't turn off the car this is terrible ..it's the ignition switch or the steering column, this happens when putting the car in park!!!!key will not turn car off/can't get key out too
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 110,000 miles · reported Jan 16, 2017
Gm has issued a safety bulletin in regards to a broken fuel tank that could cause explosions, or fire. I have tried to get them to perform the repair but they are refusing. The problem is for all years of the pontiac aztek and buick rendezvous. I have a leak from this location, the fuel inlet, and AM nearly afraid to drive the vehicle, but at a cost of over 2000 dollars, GM is also inflating the cost because they know the repair needs to be done.
Electrical System · at 132,000 miles · reported Mar 24, 2016
The contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. The vehicle failed to start without warning. The contact charged the battery and started the vehicle, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that it was not a battery issue. The technician suspected an ignition failure and planned to run a diagnostic test the following day. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Air Bags · at 130,000 miles · reported May 1, 2015
The contact owns a 2001 pontiac aztek. While attempting to close the door, the air bags deployed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Other Pontiac Aztek years

Compare all Pontiac Aztek years · All Pontiac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek: 07V-349 (fuel system, gasoline), 03V-250 (equipment), 02V-329 (air bags), 01V-383 (seats), 01V-026 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (49 reports), followed by fuel system, gasoline (30). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 60,000 miles.

Are Pontiac recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Pontiac dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.