FaultScore

2004 Pontiac Aztek brake problems

13 of the 96 complaints about the 2004 Pontiac Aztek are about the braking system — 14% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 38,023 miles.

D

13

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 5 38.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 5 38.5%
Service Brakes 3 23.1%

Brakes across every Pontiac Aztek year

2001 31 38.3%
2002 17 21.0%
2003 20 24.7%
2004 13 16.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 95,000 miles Mcconells, SC

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED BEFORE REACHING AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE HOSES WERE FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FRACTURED. THE BRAKES AND HOSES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.. *BF CONSUMER STATED POWERSTEERING HIGH PRESSURE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST. THE DAY THE BRAKE LINES WERE GETTING REPAIRED CONSUMER WAS TOLD FUEL LINE FROM THE PUMP TO THE INJECTORS WAS ALSO RUSTED AND WOULD LEAK ANYTIME.

NHTSA complaint #11170542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,219 miles Lawrenceville, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS SYSTEM LIGHTS WENT ON AND ABS SYSTEM EXHIBITS CRUNCHING, GRINDING, NOISY AND ABNORMAL PULSING OPERATION. JUNE 2012 MESSAGE INDICATES RF HUB NEEDS REPLACEMENT. DONE. ABS SYSTEM ACTS UP AGAIN IN UNDER 30 DAYS SAME SYMPTOMS. REAR BRAKES/DRUM REPLACED 6/2013, ABS PROBLEMS STILL PRESENT. FRONT BRAKES REPLACED 8/2013, ABS PROBLEMS STILL PRESENT. 8/2013 TAKEN TO GM DEALER SERVICE FOR ANALYSIS. SPEED SENSOR REPLACED, ABS PROBLEM STILL PRESENT. DEALER ADVISES THAT LF HUB NEEDS REPLACING AND ABS HARNESSES ON BOTH SIDES. 8/2014 LF HUB REPLACED AND ERROR MESSAGE NOW READS THAT RF HUB IS BAD AGAIN. TAKING BACK TO GM DEALER THIS WEEK TO TRY AND FIND THE DEFINITIVE SOLUTION. CONTINUED ONE BY ONE REPAIRS THAT DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT STREAM. NOTE: RR HUB WAS ALSO REPLACED IN 2011.

NHTSA complaint #10619291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles LA Pine, OR

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE GRABBED AND EXHIBITED A GRINDING NOISE. IN ADDITION, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT THE SAME FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

NHTSA complaint #10477041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Houston, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE FELT THE METAL WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL RUBBING TOGETHER WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC THEN DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,444. UPDATED 04/11/12*LJ UPDATED 04/17/12

NHTSA complaint #10451698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Houston, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT AND THE ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT SHE FELT THE METAL WITHIN THE BRAKE PEDAL RUBBING TOGETHER WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE BRAKES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC THEN DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,444. UPDATED 04/11/12*LJ UPDATED 04/17/12

NHTSA complaint #10451698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,304 miles Grandblank, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE REAR END OF HER VEHICLE FISHTAILED WHEN SHE APPROACHED A WET SURFACE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT HER ABS HAD FAILED THE LEFT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,304.

NHTSA complaint #10193845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,632 miles South Range, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON THE CONSUMER'S 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK WORE OUT AT 28632 MILES. *TS *NM ***NAR***

NHTSA complaint #10171207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,023 miles Moorhead, MN

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER. BOTH CALIPERS AND SHOES HAD TO BE REPLACES AT 38,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10169286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,000 miles Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

DT: THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED 6 TIMES. THE BRAKES CONTINUOUSLY SQUEAL AND CRUNCH. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUES TO REPLACE ITEMS ONE AT A TIME. THEY HAVE NOT STATED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE MANUFACTURER REQUESTED THAT THE CONSUMER RETURN TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM STARTED APPROXIMATELY APRIL 15, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA complaint #10128582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT JUST TWO DAYS OFF OF THE LOT SHE STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER ABS BRAKING SYSTEM. A NEW HARDWARE KIT WAS INSTALLED AND IT STILL DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. THE ABS PROBLEM WAS THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REALLY SHAKY AND MADE SOME TYPE OF NOISE WHILE BRAKING. IT WOULD MAKE HER BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT REAL QUICK. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER PUT NEW SPRINGS ON THE SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, POWER STEERING, GAUGE IS BROKEN, RADIO LIGHTS. THE GEAR STICKS AND SHE HAS TO HOLD IT REALLY TIGHT AND PULL IT REALLY HARD TO MAKE IT GO INTO ANOTHER GEAR AND IT MAKES A BOOM SOUND.

NHTSA complaint #10121110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,500 miles Bristol, PA Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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.

NHTSA complaint #10088772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dallas, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, A WINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE DRIVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESTARTED IT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT A STEERING PUMP WAS NEEDED, BUT THE BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE. THE DEALER AND THE MECHANIC WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10080297 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,200 miles Dallas, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AREA THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE STEERING COLUMN AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT A POWER STEERING PUMP WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING COLUMN IS STILL WHINING AND THE BRAKES ARE STILL GRINDING AND THE STARTER IS STILL HESITATING. *NM THE FRONT AND BACK BUMPERS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY, THE WINDSHIELD CONTAINED NUMEROUS CHIPS, THE WINDOWS SQUEALED WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING, THERE WAS A CONSTANT WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN IN MOTION, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER PROPERLY ALIGNED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR THE WHINING, BRAKES AND THE STARTER, THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS LATER TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAD AN AIR BUBBLE. THE ENGINE WAS ALSO SLOW TO START AND WOULD CLICK AT TIMES. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10074322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2004 Pontiac Aztek problems

← Full 2004 Pontiac Aztek report