84 of the
829 complaints filed about the Pontiac Aztek
are about the braking system —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
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.
AS NOTED IN PREVIOUS STATEMENTS THIS VEHICLE IS DIFFICULTY AT STARTING AND CRANKING AT VARIOUS SITUATION. PLAYING THE RADIO WITH ENGINE OFF, MUST WAIT TEN MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO START, THEN IT MAY CRANK OR YOU HAVE TO START OVER. ITS NOT THE RADIO ITS THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER AS DONE IN THE PAST. IT DOESN'T MATTER, STOP, OR MOVING IT HAS DONE ALL YOU MENTION, AND WITH THE LIGHTS OFF AT NIGHT YOU CAN INJURED A PEDESTRIAN OR OURSELVES. THIS CAR WAS RECALL AND IT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN FIX BUT HERE WE STUCK HERE FROM 04/07/17 POSSIBLY WILL GET HELP FROM THE NEAREST GMC CAR DEALER ON 04/10/17. KEEP ALL THIS INFORMATION FOR OFFICIAL USED ONLY. THANKS UPDATED 05/17/17*LJ UPDATED 07/25/2017
NHTSA complaint #10971442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE GRASS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION PIPE CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO ROT. THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 03/01/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10947401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE GRASS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION PIPE CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO ROT. THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 03/01/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10947401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE DISABLED AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON, IN MY CAR I HAVE NO POWER CAN REALLY MAKE IT UP A HILL DOESN'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE, IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. AND THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK
NHTSA complaint #10940271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CAR WAS PARK! THE KEYS IN, I PULLED KEYS OUT N THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS I HOP IN THE CAR N TURN THE WHEEL AND I FLEW OUT AND THE CAR RAN ME OVER TIRE ON MY BACK THE CAR DIDN'T STOP I PUSHING THE BRAKES NOTHING!
NHTSA complaint #10700603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD A FLAT TIRE, REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. I WAS UNAWARE OF THE ACTUAL MILEAGE THAT WAS ON MY CAR AT THAT TIME. PULLED OVER AND CHANGED FLAT TIRE WITH SPARE DOUGHNUT TIRE (WHICH IS A JOKE). I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE OFF AND THE ABS LIGHT IMMEDIATELY CAME ON AND SAID IT WAS DISABLED. I CONTINUED DRIVING TO LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTER IN HOOD RIVER, OR.. THEY SAID THE FLAT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO SELL ME 1 TIRE SINCE MY VEHICLE IS AWD. I LIMPED BACK HOME TO PORTLAND ON THE 35 MPH SPARE TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO GET CHEAPER TIRES THROUGH ANOTHER DEALER BUT WHEN MY NEW TIRES WERE PUT ON MY ABS NEVER REACTIVATED AND TO THIS DAY THE LIGHT STAYS ON SAYING IT IS DISABLED. IT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRIVING A 1973 MONTE CARLO VS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PLACES CHECK IT OUT AND THEY HAVE SAID IT IS IN THE WHEEL SENSORS??? ALL 4? I HAD THEM REPLACED AND IT STILL SAYS THE ABS IS DISABLED. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? AND THIS WENT OUT OVER HAVING A FLAT TIRE?? I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IT TO DEALER. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT TO DO TO GET THIS FIXED. IT IS ANNOYING AT BEST. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10649863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES COME ON WITHOUT WARNING ALL THE TIME. EVEN IF ITS A SIMPLE STOP SIGN OR IM TURNING A CORNER. I CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION UNDER MY FEET AND MY ANTI-LOCK LIGHT COMES ON, THE DASH. ITS VERY SCARY. I BOUGH MY CAR NOT EVEN 6 MONTHS AGO FROM A LOCAL DEALER. THE BRAKE ISSUE STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS IN TO ME HAVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE FOR THESE TYPES OF CARS. SOMETHING ABOUT A SENSOR INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. ITS IS VERY UNSAFE AND FROM THE THINGS I'VE READ A VERY COMMON ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10621351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HIS WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKE, SHE EXPERIENCED IMMEDIATE AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. A POPPING AND WHOOSHING SOUND WAS HEARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES FAILED DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH AT THE POINT OF FAILURE, AS WELL AS EXTREMELY RUSTED AT EVERY PLACE IT WAS CLIPPED TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE BE REPLACED. . THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS THE SECOND TIME, THE BRAKE LINE FAILED, DUE TO CORROSION. THE FIRST TIME WAS IN 2007, WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 65,000 MILES. UPDATED 03/11/15.
NHTSA complaint #10574420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN A HARD STOP IN STOP-AND-GO RUSH HOUR FREEWAY TRAFFIC, A CORRODED STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE FAILED. THIS WAS THE LINE FROM THE ABS MODULE TO THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. AS SUCH IT IMMEDIATELY CAUSED A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY - I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE AND I WAS ABLE TO ABRUPTLY MOVE TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. HAD I BEEN IN ONE OF THE CENTER LANES THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN UNAVOIDABLE, THE REAR BRAKES WERE STILL FUNCTIONAL AND I STILL HAD LIMITED BRAKING ABILITY. AT THE POINT THAT THIS LINE ACTUALLY BROKE, IT WAS SPRAYING BRAKE FLUID DIRECTLY ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHETHER THERE WAS A FIRE, THE MECHANIC SAYS THERE MAY HAVE BEEN. THERE CERTAINLY WAS A LOT OF SMOKE. THE LINE IN QUESTION IS SECURED TO THE FIREWALL AND IS ROUTED CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST AT THAT POINT. IT APPEARS THAT OVER TIME THIS COMBINATION ALLOWS CORROSION TO WEAKEN THE LINE AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT. THE REMAINING LINES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND I BELIEVE THEY WILL LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10538336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 4 MINS. I STOPPED AT LIGHT AND CAR CUT OFF. CAR NEVER CUT ON AFTER. I JUST PURCHASED CAR ON JUNE 26 2013. I WAS TOLD THERE AREN'T ANT PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND IF I HAVE ANY PROBLEMS TO BRING IT BACK I BROUGHT IT BACK TO FIND THAT THEY DIDN'T VALUE THEIR WORD. THEY WOULDN'T ACCEPT CAR BACK AND EXCHANGE FOR MY PURCHASE. ALTHOUGH I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR TIL THIS DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10526096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ROTTED OUT, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, AGAINST THE FIREWALL. THE OTHER PARTS OF THE LINE ARE "OK". SEEMS TO BE A COMMON THING IN THIS CHASSIS.
NHTSA complaint #10512407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST FAILURE WAS JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40-45, RPMS REACHED 3000-3100. WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE RPMS REACHED 1500-1700. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS REVIEWING THE INFORMATION FROM THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF REPAIRS WERE WARRANTED AND WHETHER GM WOULD ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS
NHTSA complaint #10467524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. ..UPDATED 09/04/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST FAILURE WAS JUST OVER A YEAR AGO. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40-45, RPMS REACHED 3000-3100. WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE RPMS REACHED 1500-1700. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND WAS REVIEWING THE INFORMATION FROM THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF REPAIRS WERE WARRANTED AND WHETHER GM WOULD ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. UPDATED 09/17/2012 *JS
NHTSA complaint #10467524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT ALWAYS RESPOND AND NEEDED TO BE APPLIED REPEATEDLY IN ORDER TO FUNCTION AS NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE FAULTY SENSORS WHERE REPLACED; HOWEVER THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO FOUND A LEAK ON THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE THEN EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY DRIVING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PIVOTAL JOINTS IN THE REAR WHEELS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED UNUSUAL TREAD WEAR AND TEAR OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 07E021000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES) AND 07V349000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE, HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED DUE TO MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10463281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.