32 of the 829 complaints filed about the Pontiac Aztek are about the lighting — 4% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2001.
32
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHTING GOES OUT AT NIGHT WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS
NHTSA complaint #10896214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
I WAS LEAVING SCHOOL AND I STARTED TO SMELL GAS, SO I STOPPED AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY LEAKING AND THERE WASN'T. A WEEK HAD WENT BY AND I DIDN'T SMELL THE GAS ANYMORE BUT MY RADIO AND DASH LIGHTS HAD QUIT WORKING. SO I HAD THE FUSES CHANGED AND THE SPEEDOMETER STARTED WORKING AGAIN BUT NOT THE RADIO. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER MY TEMP GAUGE STARTED SHOOTING ALL THE WAY UP TO HOT RIGHT AFTER IT WAS CRANKED. SO I HAD IT CHECKED AND MY VEHICLE WASN'T RUNNING HOT. THE ONE NIGHT I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM TOWN AND MY CAR SHUT OFF AND A TEMP LIGHT WAS BLINKING. I POPPED THE HOOD AND MY HOSES FROM THE RADIATOR TO THE MOTOR HAD BUSTED FROM ALL THE PRESSURE BUILT UP. THE NEXT DAY I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A SHOP AND HAD A NEW MOTOR PUT IN. AND LOW AND BE-HOLD MY TRANSMISSION STARTS SHIFTING REALLY HARD WHEN I GO TO START OFF. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WITH IT. BUT SINCE IVE BEEN KEEPING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED WEEKLY IT HASN'T BEEN DOING IT AS MUCH. BUT IT STILL SCARES THE CRAP OUT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint #10585181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HORN STARTS GOING OFF, ALL THE ELECTRICALS FLASH OFF AND ON. WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, AND REAR HATCH BECOMES NON OPERATIONAL. ONLY WAY TO STOP IS TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATLY AND SHUT CAR DOWN BUT NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVE. ALARM WILL GO OFF ALL ON IT'S OWN SPORADICALLY.
NHTSA complaint #10449969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE ELECTRICAL HAS DONE NOTHING BUT MESSED UP FIRST THE RADIO LIGHT WENT OUT AND NOW THE DASH LIGHT IS OUT SO THERE IS NO VISIBILITY AT NIGHT TO SEE YOUR SPEED, THE ANTI LOCK LIGHT STAYS ON UNTIL THE ANTI LOCK LIGHT COMES ON, ALSO THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE KEEPS DISABLING, I HAVE REPLACE 3 OF THE 4 HUBS THAT WERE EATEN THROUGH AND NOW ITS LOOKING LIKE ANOTHER ONE IS GOING. THE BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND DINGING, I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO GET IT TO STOP, I AM EATING THROUGH THE BRAKE PADS BECAUSE OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES DON'T TURN OFF RIGHT AWAY, ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WHERE THE CAR WHEN YOU START IT UP DOES NOT START IT JUST GOES RIGHT TO BATTERY LIGHT BUT YET NOTHING WRONG JUST GLITCHING. I HAVE READ ALOT OF FORUMS ON THE AZTEK AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO ALOT OF AZTEKS AND I HAVE TALKED TO PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THAT OWN AZTEKS AND THEY HAVE ALOT OF THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10427035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE PASSENGER SIDE, LOW BEAM, HEADLIGHT HAS STOPPED WORKING. THE BULB, FUSES, AND WIRING CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN EXAMINED AND ALL APPEAR TO BE FINE. APPROXIMATELY A MONTH LATER THE STEREO ELECTRONICALLY LOCKED ITSELF AS IF IT HAD BEEN PLACED IN ANOTHER CAR WITHOUT A MATCHING VIN. I HAVE BEEN PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE FOR A HEADLIGHT OUT. UPON ENTERING A SEARCH ONLINE I SEE MANY INSTANCES WHERE OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHICLES. SOME INCLUDE FLASHING HEADLIGHTS, FAILURE OF DOOR LOCKS, STEREOS AND SECURITY LIGHTS TURNING ON/OFF. I SEE FROM THE VARIOUS POSTS THAT SOME OWNERS HAVE REPLACED THE BCM AS WELL AS WIRING HARNESS' THAT HAVE MOISTURE. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE A SOLID FIX AS I SEE SOME POSTS ARE RECURRING. THANKFULLY I HAVE ONLY RECEIVED WARNINGS FROM POLICE ABOUT MY FAILED LIGHT, HOWEVER, I DON'T EXPECT IT TO REMAIN THAT WAY. WHILE A LOSS OF A STEREO OR ELECTRIC LOCKS ARE A CONVENIENCE LOSS, THE LOSS OF AND/OR INTERMITTENTS HEADLIGHTS ARE A TRUE SAFETY HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #10248271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
AT 51,000 MILES ENGINE OVERHEATING WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ADDED ANTIFREEZE, BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. AT SAME TIME AC FAILED. THEN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED FAILING. ALARM GOING OFF FOR NO REASON, DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES, REAR HATCH OPENING, AND ALL GAUGES LIGHTING UP THEN GOING BLANK FOR 5 - 10 SECONDS. TOOK TO DEALER WHO STATED THAT I HAD A FAILURE IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET, A LEAKING FUEL FILTER, A SHOT AC SYSTEM, AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO DO THE SAME WORK ON MANY AZTEKS. TOOK TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC FOR VERIFICATION AND REPAIR ($600 LESS THAN DEALER WANTED). PAID $1156 FOR INTAKE MANIFOLD, FUEL FILTER, AND AC CHECK. MECHANIC DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE AC SYSTEM, BUT THE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. CAN NOT FIX THE MODULE AT THIS TIME - HAVE BEEN GIVEN ESTIMATE OF $800. SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS MODULE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT NHTSA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND HAVE GM REIMBURSE THOSE THAT HAVE ALREADY HAD THE PROBLEM FIXED. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP BY MANY AZTEK OWNERS BOTH ON THIS SITE AND OTHERS. IT IS REALLY ALARMING TO BE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN SUDDENLY ALL THE GAUGES GO BLANK, EVEN IF JUST FOR A FEW SECONDS, NOT TO MENTION DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THEMSELVES AND THE ALARM GOING OFF FOR NO REASON. BY READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I SHOULD LOOK FORWARD TO REPLACING WHEEL BEARINGS ALSO. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10230241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT FLEW OFF WITHOUT PRIOR INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10154515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DT: THE CALLER SAID ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT WAS ON. WHEN SHE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY SAID THEY FIXED IT. THE CALLER SAID AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT WAS MISSING. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS STOLEN. THE CALLER SAID THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.
NHTSA complaint #10136487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: THE HAZARD, TURN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT THIS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE SWITCH WHICH SHOWED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE AFOREMENTIONED WERE REPLACED, A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND NEW FLASHERS.
NHTSA complaint #10132409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
DT: THE HAZARD, TURN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT THIS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE SWITCH WHICH SHOWED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE AFOREMENTIONED WERE REPLACED, A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND NEW FLASHERS.
NHTSA complaint #10132409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
DT: THE HAZARD, TURN, AND BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT THIS HAPPENED ALL AT ONCE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE SWITCH WHICH SHOWED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE AFOREMENTIONED WERE REPLACED, A NEW SWITCH WAS INSTALLED AND NEW FLASHERS.
NHTSA complaint #10132409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TILT IS IN THE LOWEST 2 POSITIONS. I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SERVICE ADVISORY FOR THIS AND THEY SAID NO. THEY ADVISED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS WHICH WILL COST AT LEAST $90.
NHTSA complaint #10130759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
WE PURCHASED A NEW 2003 PONTIAC AZTEK IN MARCH OF 2003. TO DATE WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS ON THE HEATER FAN MOTOR REPLACED TWICE, THE DRIVERS DOOR HINGES RESET TWICE, THE REAR TRUNK RELEASE REPLACED TWICE, REPAINTED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND REAR DRIVERS AREA NEAR TAILLIGHT BECAUSE THE PAINT WAS GONE, SEVERAL NO-STARTS THAT WERE NOT REPEATED AT THE GARAGE-BUT NEEDED JUMP STARTS TO RUN, REAR DRIVERS TAIL-LIGHT WAS REPLACED ONCE BECAUSE IT WAS FALLING OUT AND ITS STARTING TO FALL OUT AGAIN, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS ARE BEING REPLACED TOMORROW. WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER 18,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HATE IT AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER PONTIAC BECAUSE OF THIS LEMON. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE UNDER WARRANTY SO FAR, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT RUNS OUT? SELL IT TO THE NEXT SUCKER I GUESS. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10109862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON A DARK BACK ROAD, AND SWITCHING FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10104962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.