VehicleVerdict

2004 Pontiac Aztek problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2004 Pontiac Aztek is among the quieter years of the Aztek on NHTSA's books: 96 complaints (45% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (16), fuel system (16), and brakes (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

96

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Aztek years?

Aztek NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted329 complaints2001: 329 complaints2002: 173 complaints2003: 188 complaints2004: 96 complaints2005: 43 complaints
Aztek NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Aztek years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Pontiac Aztek problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1617%
Fuel System1617%
Engine1314%
Brakes1314%
Suspension88%
Airbags55%
Transmission44%
Visibility & Wipers33%
Speed Control33%
Steering33%
Tires & Wheels33%
Lighting22%
Body & Structure22%
Other22%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2004 Pontiac Aztek have recalls?

4 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.

05V157000Electrical SystemApril 20, 2005 · 34,186 units

Defect

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.

03V454000Fuel SystemNovember 10, 2003 · 79 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“DRIVING CAR ON ROAD AND CAR QUIT RUNNING, ELECTRICAL STARTED FLASHING. PULLED OVER AND IGNITION SWITCH WOULD ONLY GO TO ACC. MODE, IT WOULD NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION. I HAD CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. THE IGNITION WILL ONLY GO TO ACC. MODE WILL NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION WHERE KEY CAN BE REMOVED..UNHOOKED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 9, 2014

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE, FUEL TANK, AND FUEL PRESSURE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 19, 2015

“WHILE PROCEEDING DOWN A STEEP HILL IN NORTHEREN PA THE ABS FAILED AND THE PONTIAC AZTEK BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AS THOUGH ON ICE. IT HAD TWO FRONTAL IMPACTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 26, 2004 · crash

“DRIVING CAR ON ROAD AND CAR QUIT RUNNING, ELECTRICAL STARTED FLASHING. PULLED OVER AND IGNITION SWITCH WOULD ONLY GO TO ACC. MODE, IT WOULD NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION. I HAD CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. THE IGNITION WILL ONLY GO TO ACC. MODE WILL NOT TURN TO OFF POSITION WHERE KEY CAN BE REMOVED..UNHOOKED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 9, 2014

“BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAD BE REPLACED AT 62000. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAIN 7 1/2 MONTHS LATER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THERE WAS A SELECT FEW SERIAL NUMBERS ON THE WHEEL BEARINGS THAT THEY WERE BEING REPLACED UNDER A SAFETY ALERT BUT MINE WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.. SO EVEN THOUGH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 15, 2007

2004 Pontiac Aztek — common questions

Is the 2004 Pontiac Aztek reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 96 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Aztek year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2004 Aztek problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (16 complaints), fuel system (16 complaints), brakes (13 complaints).

Does the 2004 Pontiac Aztek have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Pontiac Aztek. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Pontiac Aztek under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 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.