16 of the
329 complaints about the 2001 Pontiac Aztek are about the
lighting — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
44,000 miles.
A
16
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Headlights
318.8%
Exterior Lighting
318.8%
Interior Lighting
318.8%
Tail Lights
318.8%
Brake Lights
212.5%
Turn Signal
16.3%
FOG Lights
16.3%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 80,000 milesMesa, AZ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER EXPERIENCED EXTREMELY LIMITED VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNABLE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #10274270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mentor, OH
INTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL LEAKAGE: SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING-INABILITY TO MAKE A GOOD SEAL... TANK-LEAKAGE FUEL/EMISSIONS- DETECT PROBLEM CURRENTLY PASSENGER AIR BAG MAY NEED PIN REPLACE: WISH TO HAVE ALL CHECKED OUT! SAFETY CHILD SEAT HOLDER MAY NOT BE FUNCTIONAL.
NHTSA complaint #10247857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesSeaford, NY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
AIR CONDITIONING REPLACED 4 TIMES AT MY OWN EXPENSE ONCE WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SHORTLY AFTER IT BROKE AGAIN DUE TO DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AS STATED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOLE IS CREATED DUE TO BRACKET AND COOLANT LEAKS OUT. THE PURCHASE AND INSTALL OF A NEW ONE HAS COST ME $1200 EACH TIME IT HAPPENS AND FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS I'VE JUST DRIVEN WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING DUE TO THE COST FACTOR AND KNOWING IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE NEXT 2 MONTHS. EVERYTIME IT WAS REPLACED IT WAS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM A HOLE IN THE CONDENSER. I'VE HEAR COMPLAINTS FROM EVERY ATZEK OWNER I'VE MET ABOUT THE AIR CONDITIONING AND STILL PONTIAC REFUSES TO FESS US TO THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS I'VE HAD TO DRIVE AROUND IN 90+ DEGREE HEAT WITHOUT AIR BECAUSE OF THIS. I'M A FIELD TECHNICIAN AND I'M TRAVELING YEAR ROUND. I HAD AN 88 GRAND PRIX PREVIOUSLY AND THAT HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES AND I SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON BRAKES ONLY TO RECEIVE A LETTER 2 YEARS AFTER I GOT RID OF THE CAR CLAIMING I CAN GET MONEY BACK DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SUFFER FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE WAY PONTIAC DESIGNED THE AC. THEY SHOULD ATLEAST BE ABLE TO DESIGN SOMETHING THAT WON'T CORE A HOLE IN THE CONDENSER. THEY ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE TAILGATE AND REAR LIGHTS PEELING. I HAVE TO OPEN MY TAILGATE 2 TIMES AND USE THE KEY WHILE PULLING THE TAILGATE UP. I'VE GOTTEN THE PARTS REPLACED 2 TIMES AND IT HASN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM THEY TELL ME EVERYTIME I OPEN THE TAILGATE I HAVE TO MANUALLY ADJUST THE STOPS SO THAT THE TAILGATE WILL OPEN AGAIN. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE ISSUES EVERYONE IS.
NHTSA complaint #10221030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesFloresville, TX
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. FIVE MONTHS AGO THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT REPLACED TWO OXYGEN SENSORS; ONE IN MAY 2005, AND ONE IN AUGUST 2005. THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO AUTO ZONE TODAY AND THEIR COMPUTER SHOWED HER THAT SHE NEEDED ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD GONE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE ONLY THING SHOWING UP WAS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10140209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesFloresville, TX
INTERIOR LIGHTING
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEC. FIVE MONTHS AGO THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT REPLACED TWO OXYGEN SENSORS; ONE IN MAY 2005, AND ONE IN AUGUST 2005. THE CONTACT WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO AUTO ZONE TODAY AND THEIR COMPUTER SHOWED HER THAT SHE NEEDED ANOTHER OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD GONE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS, AND THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE ONLY THING SHOWING UP WAS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10140209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
2001 PONTIAC AZTEC FRONT SEATS HAS A SHARP PIECE OF THE SEATS FRAME STICKING THROUGH.*MR THE FINISH ON THE TAIL LIGHTS PEELED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10117433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coweta, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
PURCHASED A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK ON JUNE 19 2004 FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER..ON AUGUST 3 2004 HAD A BLOWOUT AT 65 MPH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE..THE HEADLAMP AND FOG LIGHT HAD COMPLETELY CAME OUT.HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER,,THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY WORN TIRES...WHICH WERE FIRESTONE...STILL AWAITING DEALER TO REMEDY A SITUATION THAT SHOULD NOT OF OCCURRED AFTER ONLY 45 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10086210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coweta, OK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
PURCHASED A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK ON JUNE 19 2004 FROM A CHEVROLET DEALER..ON AUGUST 3 2004 HAD A BLOWOUT AT 65 MPH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE..THE HEADLAMP AND FOG LIGHT HAD COMPLETELY CAME OUT.HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER,,THE SERVICE DEPT. SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY WORN TIRES...WHICH WERE FIRESTONE...STILL AWAITING DEALER TO REMEDY A SITUATION THAT SHOULD NOT OF OCCURRED AFTER ONLY 45 DAYS OF OWNERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10086210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clairton, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, SINCE THEN: HAD TO REPLACE ELECTRICAL "MEMORY" TWICE BECAUSE THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT WOULDN'T RESET AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; THE CONDENSER LEAKED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULDN'T WORK; NOW, MY GAS GAGE GOES UP TO FULL, THEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON, THEN IT RETURNS TO FULL AND VICE VERSA. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR! TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR ON THAT ISSUE TOMORROW. THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS SHAKY - WHENEVER I TRY TO BRAKE, IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES DON'T GRAB PROPERLY AND IT TAKES WAY TOO LONG TO STOP. THEY CHECKED MY BRAKES AND THEY ARE FINE. ALSO HAVING THE DEALER LOOK AT MY TAIL LIGHT COVERS AND ROOF BRAKE LIGHT COVER TOMORROW, THEY ARE DISCOLORED AS IF ACID IS EATING AWAY THE TOP PART OF THE COVER. LASTLY, THE "K" PART OF THE "AZTEC" ON THE BACK WINDOW BROKE OFF WHILE WASHING THE CAR! AND I ONLY USE A SPONGE!
NHTSA complaint #10043858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clairton, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, SINCE THEN: HAD TO REPLACE ELECTRICAL "MEMORY" TWICE BECAUSE THE CHANGE OIL LIGHT WOULDN'T RESET AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; THE CONDENSER LEAKED AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULDN'T WORK; NOW, MY GAS GAGE GOES UP TO FULL, THEN THE LOW FUEL LIGHT COMES ON, THEN IT RETURNS TO FULL AND VICE VERSA. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE CAR! TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR ON THAT ISSUE TOMORROW. THE WHOLE BRAKING SYSTEM IS SHAKY - WHENEVER I TRY TO BRAKE, IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES DON'T GRAB PROPERLY AND IT TAKES WAY TOO LONG TO STOP. THEY CHECKED MY BRAKES AND THEY ARE FINE. ALSO HAVING THE DEALER LOOK AT MY TAIL LIGHT COVERS AND ROOF BRAKE LIGHT COVER TOMORROW, THEY ARE DISCOLORED AS IF ACID IS EATING AWAY THE TOP PART OF THE COVER. LASTLY, THE "K" PART OF THE "AZTEC" ON THE BACK WINDOW BROKE OFF WHILE WASHING THE CAR! AND I ONLY USE A SPONGE!
NHTSA complaint #10043858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesOzark, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHT LENS COVERS ARE DISCOLORED AND ARE CRACKING ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE LENS (EGG SHELL TYPE) IT LOOKS LIKE SPIDER WEB TYPE. THE CRACKING IS SPREADING FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesPiedmont, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
SOON AFTER PURCHASE THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE THAT BEGAN IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. THE CLICKING NOISE THEN TURNED INTO A POPPING NOISE THAT COULD BE FELT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THERE IS WIND NOISE ON THE LEFT FRONT DOOR POST, NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT IS INOPERABLE, THE HORN IS INOPERABLE, AND THE WIPERS DO NOT TURN OFF AT TIMES. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10001473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Leavenworth, KS
INTERIOR LIGHTING
28 MARCH 2002, DRIVING CAR, ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, STARTED WAS REPLACED. 17 APRIL 2002 DRIVING VEHICLE 30 MPH, MADE RIGHT TURN, ACCELERATED VEHICLE, ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE. SERVICE MANAGER AND TECH CAME OUT TO THE CAR, DISCONNECTED ABS SYSTEM AND VEHICLE STARTED, TECH DROVE IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, BRAKE MODULATOR WAS REPLACED. 21 JUNE 2002 DRIVING VEHICLE AT 40 MPH, DASH LIGHTS CAME ON, LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, THEY TOWED CAR IN, REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. 13 JULY 2002, DRIVING CAR AT 35 MPH, DASH LIGHT CAME ON, LOST ALL POWER TO VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS NOT OPEN, SAT IN THE CAR FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO START, DROVE IT HOME (APPROX 3 MILES) AND LET IT SIT UNTIL MONDAY MORNING. DROVE CAR TO DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY CAN'T FIX IT, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND GM DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. CONTACTED PONTIAC CUSTOMER SERVICE ON MONDAY MORNING AND REQUEST THEY BUY THIS VEHILE BACK UNDER THE LEMON LAW. IT HAS BEEN 1 WEEK SINCE THE LAST INCIDENT AND HAVE NOT HEARD FROM PONTIAC REGARDING A DECISION. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP FOR 35 DAY FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM, AS OF 19 JULY 2002.
NHTSA complaint #764469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ohatchee, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
HAD JUST STARTED VEHICLE WHEN ABS LIGHT AND CHIMES SOUNDED. THIS WAS AN INDICATION ABS WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER INFORMED VEHICLE WAS OKAY TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES.*AK ABS STILL DO NOT WORK, DEALER FOUND DEFECTIVE BCM, ALSO REPLACED BLOWN RIGHT TURN BLINKER BULB AND REPLACED RIGHT REAR STOP LAMP BULB.
NHTSA complaint #8007111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ohatchee, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HAD JUST STARTED VEHICLE WHEN ABS LIGHT AND CHIMES SOUNDED. THIS WAS AN INDICATION ABS WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER INFORMED VEHICLE WAS OKAY TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES.*AK ABS STILL DO NOT WORK, DEALER FOUND DEFECTIVE BCM, ALSO REPLACED BLOWN RIGHT TURN BLINKER BULB AND REPLACED RIGHT REAR STOP LAMP BULB.
NHTSA complaint #8007111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ohatchee, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
HAD JUST STARTED VEHICLE WHEN ABS LIGHT AND CHIMES SOUNDED. THIS WAS AN INDICATION ABS WAS NOT WORKING. DEALER INFORMED VEHICLE WAS OKAY TO DRIVE. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES.*AK ABS STILL DO NOT WORK, DEALER FOUND DEFECTIVE BCM, ALSO REPLACED BLOWN RIGHT TURN BLINKER BULB AND REPLACED RIGHT REAR STOP LAMP BULB.
NHTSA complaint #8007111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.