Aztek (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
LA1
3.4L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Pontiac Aztek Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 5 additional engine variants with limited data
LN2
2.2L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L36
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L61
2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
LG8
3.1L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
L26
3.8L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Pontiac Aztek, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek
On a used 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the fuel system (126), the electrical system (118) and the engine (98). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 126 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek about the fuel system.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 118 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 98 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek about the engine.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 81 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek about the brakes.
- With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 80 owner complaints on the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek about the cooling system.
Recalls (9)
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).
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.
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.
Show 4 older recalls
IN SOME OF THESE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DIAMETER OF THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT IS TOO SMALL.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek complaints?
Owners have filed 586 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek. The systems they name most often are the fuel system, the electrical system and the engine.
Is the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 586 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek have?
NHTSA has 586 owner complaints on file for the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek?
NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Pontiac Aztek?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the fuel system, the electrical system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Aztek?
The 2003 Pontiac Aztek received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars. Electronic Stability Control: No. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 586 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.