2001 Pontiac Aztek recalls and problems

5 recalls and 216 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek.

5
recalls
216
owner complaints
14
complaints mentioning a crash
6
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Pontiac Aztek recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

NHTSA campaign 07V349000 · reported August 8, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 20,594 vehicles potentially affected

The 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).
The 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.
The 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.

Equipment: other, owners/service/other manual

NHTSA campaign 03V250000 · reported July 15, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,707,825 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 02V329000 · reported December 9, 2002 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 272 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Seats: front assembly, recliner

NHTSA campaign 01V383000 · reported December 13, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 75,816 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 01V026000 · reported February 1, 2001 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 38 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 23, 2019 · Electrical system · 147,654 miles

BOUT 3 WEEKS AGO CAR JUST KEEP ACTING UP HAD IT FOR ONE YEAR CANT READ CODES ON CAR KEEP OVERHEATING REPLACED RADIATOR CVL AXLE BRAKES OIL CHANGE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAR JUST DECIDED TO NOT PASS 50MPH BE DRIVEABLE ONE DAY DRIVING IT WENT TO A STOP SIGN BRAKE CAR CUT OFF I SEE CHECK GAUGES COME ON SERVICE LIGHT ON CANT…

Apr 30, 2018 · Unknown or other

I HAVE REPLACE 2 IGNITION SWITCHES, AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS..THE KEY WILL NOT COME OUT/UNLOCK WHEN SWITCHING CAR OFF..WHICH KILLS THE BATTERY BECAUSE I CAN'T TURN OFF THE CAR THIS IS TERRIBLE ..IT'S THE IGNITION SWITCH OR THE STEERING COLUMN, THIS HAPPENS WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK!!!!KEY WILL NOT TURN CAR…

Jan 16, 2017 · Fuel/propulsion system · 110,000 miles

GM HAS ISSUED A SAFETY BULLETIN IN REGARDS TO A BROKEN FUEL TANK THAT COULD CAUSE EXPLOSIONS, OR FIRE. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THEM TO PERFORM THE REPAIR BUT THEY ARE REFUSING. THE PROBLEM IS FOR ALL YEARS OF THE PONTIAC AZTEK AND BUICK RENDEZVOUS. I HAVE A LEAK FROM THIS LOCATION, THE FUEL INLET, AND AM NEARLY AFRAID TO…

Mar 24, 2016 · Electrical system · 132,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CHARGED THE BATTERY AND STARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT IT WAS NOT A BATTERY ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN SUSPECTED AN IGNITION FAILURE AND…

Jun 30, 2015 · Air bags · 153,000 miles

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER THE DRIVER SHUT THEIR DOOR, WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK.

Aztek model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 5216146
2002 212121
2003 312856
2004 36750

Across all years, the 2001 Aztek has the most complaints (216). All Pontiac Aztek years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Pontiac Aztek have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, the most recent reported on August 8, 2007 (Fuel system, gasoline: storage). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (40 complaints), followed by fuel system, gasoline (29).
How many 2001 Pontiac Aztek complaints mention a crash or fire?
14 of 216 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 18 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 23, 2019.