2003 Pontiac Aztek recalls and problems

The 2003 Pontiac Aztek has 3 safety recalls and 128 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Pontiac dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

128

Crashes / fires

5 / 6

Injuries / deaths

6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Pontiac Aztek vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 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 03V-052: Steering

Reported Feb 20, 2003 · 4,512 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

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

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2003 Pontiac Aztek problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Electrical System	28
Fuel System, Gasoline	23
Engine and Engine Cooling	17
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	15
Power Train	14
Suspension	12
Fuel/Propulsion System	12
Steering	8
Visibility	7
Exterior Lighting	6
Engine	6
Service Brakes	5

Most reported parts

Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 8
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing — 6
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage — 5
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly — 4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 3
Electrical System › Wiring — 3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 2
Seat Belts › Rear/Other — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 70,000 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 2003 Pontiac Aztek complaints

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

Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Aug 19, 2022

Since we first bought the car in 2005, whenever the fuel tank is filled to 3/4 or higher the car starts to smell of fuel fumes. If it is filled up full to the top, it literally spills fuel onto the ground (about 16oz). I called GM and they told me to bring it to the dealership. The dealership looked at it and determined that it is a bad weld on the fuel tank filler neck and also confirmed that the car is exhibiting the same symptoms as listed in multiple safety recalls regarding this fuel tank. The vin of this vehicle is within the range of safety recall bulletin number 06230, and is…

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) · at 160,007 miles · reported Oct 20, 2018

"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

Unknown or Other · at 113,690 miles · reported Sep 3, 2018

Firewall leaks a lot of water into both driver and passenger side floor areas. The water leaking in causes those interior areas to become soaking wet and dangerous (Fuse box located where water is leaking), especially when it rains (Even wet due in the morning can cause water to leak into the front cabin area). Vehicle stationary and either in a parking lot or side street. I will take pictures/video the next time it occurs and upload them as described below.

Fuel/Propulsion System · at 74,573 miles · reported Apr 23, 2018

I recently borrowed my mother-in-law's vehicle. When I returned to my home I parked in the attached garage. Later, when my daughter came home she asked why it smelled like gas. I went to check and upon entering the laundry area (Directly attached to the garage via access to the house) I noticed the smell. I inspected the garage and thought, perhaps, the smell was coming from a weed wacker. Later, I went to check on some laundry and the gas smell was even worse. I opened the door to access the garage and then recalled the weed wacker was actually broken and was only there to be discarded in the…

Electrical System · at 153,000 miles · reported Feb 5, 2018

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

Other Pontiac Aztek years

2005 200420032002 2001

Compare all Pontiac Aztek years · All Pontiac models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Pontiac Aztek have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Pontiac Aztek: 07V-349 (fuel system, gasoline), 03V-250 (equipment), 03V-052 (steering). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Pontiac Aztek?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (28 reports), followed by fuel system, gasoline (23). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 70,000 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.