CarRecallDB

2003 Pontiac Aztek recalls and problems

3 recalls and 128 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Pontiac Aztek.

3
recalls
128
owner complaints
5
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.

2003 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.

Steering

NHTSA campaign 03V052000 · reported February 20, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 4,512 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
In some of these sport utility vehicles, the diameter of the steering column intermediate shaft is too small.
The risk
This condition could allow the intermediate shaft to spin inside the steering column coupling, resulting in loss of steering control of the vehicle. If this were to happen while the vehicle is moving, a crash could resulting without prior warning.
The fix
Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the steering column intermediate shaft. Owners were notified by telephone on february 7, 2003, with a follow-up letter on february 11, 2003. 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 buick at 1-800-521-7300 or pontiac at 1-800-762-2737.

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.

Aug 19, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system

Since we first bought the car in 2005, whenever the fuel tank is filled to 3/4 or higher the car starts to smell of fuel fumes. If it is filled up full to the top, it literally spills fuel onto the ground (about 16oz). I called GM and they told me to bring it to the dealership. The dealership looked at it and…

Oct 20, 2018 · Electronic stability control (ESC) · 160,007 miles

"TAKATA RECALL"" STALLS WHEN I'M DRIVING OR WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP IT WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND WHEN I START IT UP AND THROUGHOUT THE RIDE IS SHAKES AND VIBRATES SOMETIMES IT WON'T START SOMETIMES IT'LL START RIGHT AWAY I DON'T REPLACE SPARK PLUGS COILS OIL CHANGED I'M STILL DOING THE SAME THING EVERY PLACE I GO…

Sep 3, 2018 · Unknown or other · 113,690 miles

FIREWALL LEAKS A LOT OF WATER INTO BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR AREAS. THE WATER LEAKING IN CAUSES THOSE INTERIOR AREAS TO BECOME SOAKING WET AND DANGEROUS (FUSE BOX LOCATED WHERE WATER IS LEAKING), ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS (EVEN WET DUE IN THE MORNING CAN CAUSE WATER TO LEAK INTO THE FRONT CABIN AREA)…

Apr 23, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 74,573 miles

I RECENTLY BORROWED MY MOTHER-IN-LAW'S VEHICLE. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY HOME I PARKED IN THE ATTACHED GARAGE. LATER, WHEN MY DAUGHTER CAME HOME SHE ASKED WHY IT SMELLED LIKE GAS. I WENT TO CHECK AND UPON ENTERING THE LAUNDRY AREA (DIRECTLY ATTACHED TO THE GARAGE VIA ACCESS TO THE HOUSE) I NOTICED THE SMELL. I INSPECTED…

Feb 5, 2018 · Electrical system · 153,000 miles

I HAVE BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH MY AZREK SHUTTING OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING AND NOW IT WINT EVEN START. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND VAPOR SENSOR DUE TO IT NOT GETTING ANY FUEL PRESSURE. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND THERE ARE 2 DIFFERENT RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN DONE DUE TO MY VIN NOT BEING…

Aztek model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2001 5216146
2002 212121
2003 312856
2004 36750
2005 03420

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

Questions

Does the 2003 Pontiac Aztek have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 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 2003 Pontiac Aztek?
Owners have filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is electrical system (25 complaints), followed by fuel system, gasoline (22).
How many 2003 Pontiac Aztek complaints mention a crash or fire?
5 of 128 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 19, 2022.