VehicleVerdict

2001 Pontiac Aztek problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 329 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Aztek year — the 2001 model ranks #1 of 5 Aztek years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 28 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (53), fuel system (41), and brakes (31), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

329

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

28

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Aztek years?

Aztek NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted329 complaints2001: 329 complaints2002: 173 complaints2003: 188 complaints2004: 96 complaints2005: 43 complaints
Aztek NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Aztek years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Pontiac Aztek problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5316%
Fuel System4112%
Brakes319%
Engine289%
Airbags278%
Transmission247%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)227%
Lighting165%
Visibility & Wipers155%
Other155%
Tires & Wheels113%
Speed Control103%
Suspension93%
Body & Structure82%
Latches & Locks72%
Seat Belts62%
Steering31%
Seats21%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V349000Fuel SystemAugust 8, 2007 · 20,594 units

Defect

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.

07E021000Fuel SystemMarch 12, 2007 · 742 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

03V250000OtherJuly 15, 2003 · 1,707,825 units

Defect

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.

02V329000AirbagsDecember 9, 2002 · 272 units

Defect

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.

01V383000SeatsDecember 13, 2001 · 75,816 units

Defect

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.

01V026000AirbagsFebruary 1, 2001 · 38 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS ELECTRICAL. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 2007 · fire

AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES MY FUEL GAUGE BECAME UNRELIABLE. ONCE THE FUEL LEVEL WOULD GET BELOW HALF A TANK, THE GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD START BOUNCING AROUND. IT WOULD GO FROM HALF A TANK TO A FULL TANK TO AN EMPTY TANK EVEN SETTING OFF THE FUEL LIGHT. I DEALT WITH THIS FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AND THEN IT QUIT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 27, 2006

GRADUAL LOSS OF BRAKING DUE TO A LEAK IN THE BRAKE LINE. BRAKE FLUID FROM THE LEAKING BRAKE LINE DRIPPED ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING A FIRE. THE BRAKE LINE WAS RECONSTRUCTED BY A LICENSED MECHANIC. NO DAMAGE TO ANY OTHER PART OF THE CAR. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 12, 2007 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE ALSO BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE, BUT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS ELECTRICAL. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 15, 2007 · fire

THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM VEHICLE, IN A ROLLOVER. THE DRIVER WAS PROPERLY RESTRAINED, AND SUSTAINED INJURY. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSAXLE FAILED. *JB THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SWERVED OFF OF THE ROAD AND ROLLED. THE SEAT BELT LOCKING DEVICE DID NOT LOCK, AND THE FRONT-SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · June 18, 2002 · crash

2001 Pontiac Aztek — common questions

Is the 2001 Pontiac Aztek reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 329 complaints put the 2001 model at #1 of 5 Aztek years. It is one of the Aztek years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Aztek problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (53 complaints), fuel system (41 complaints), brakes (31 complaints).

Does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Pontiac Aztek. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Pontiac Aztek under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Pontiac Aztek years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Aztek years to avoid are 2001. The cleanest record among Aztek years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.