Verdict · NHTSA data
Among the better years
The 2005 Pontiac Aztek is among the quieter years of the Aztek on NHTSA's books: 43 complaints (75% below the model's median year), a single recall, and no open investigations.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (9), fuel system (7), and engine (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
43
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
2
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 | 21% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 7 | 16% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 5 | 12% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 4 | 9% | — flat |
| Brakes | 3 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 3 | 7% | — flat |
| Other | 2 | 5% | — flat |
| Airbags | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 2 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Lighting | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% | ▼ down |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“KEY BECAME LOCKED IN THE IGNITION. COULD NOT TURN THE CAR OFF NOR REMOVE KEY. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE AND PLACED ME IN A LOANER. HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION IN ORDER TO CORRECT. VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THIS. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT CHARGED AS THIS WAS…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CORRODED AND LEAKED FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE…”
“THE VEHICLE WILL CUT COMPLETELY OFF WHILE COMING TO A STOP. WHILE IN MOTION AND APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO ANY KIND OF STOP, IT TURNS COMPLETELY OFF. IT HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 2015. WHETHER COMING OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, OR JUST COMING TO A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET, THE…”
“FAILURE OF INTERLOCK TRANSMISSION SYSTEM ON A 2005 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED FULLY, AND THE BUTTON ON THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTER WOULD NOT PUSH IN. THIS IS ON A VEHICLE WITH 27,361 MILES ON IT, AND AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”
“ABS SYSTEM FAILED TO RESPOND ON 2005 AZTEK. *TS [REDACTED]NO ANSWER REQUIRED[REDACTED] DURING AN ABRUPT STOP THE ABS FAILED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT AND HIT THE SIDE OF A VAN WHICH WAS COMING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TOT HE DEALER THE WEEK BEFORE TO…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 43 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Aztek year, with 1 recall and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (9 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints), engine (5 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2005 Pontiac Aztek. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Aztek years to avoid are 2001. The cleanest record among Aztek years belongs to 2005.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.