Model year record

2001 Pontiac Aztek

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 329 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V349000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 20,594
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-08-08
Owners notified: 2007-12-04

Defect description

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).

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V250000

Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual

Component: Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 1,707,825
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-07-15
Owners notified: 2003-08-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V329000

Air bags: frontal

Component: Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 272
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-12-09
Owners notified: 2002-12-16

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINI VANS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A PASSENGER AIR BAG THAT WAS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A CHECK VALVE PIN. AN AIR BAG WITHOUT THE CHECK VALVE PIN COULD PRODUCE INCREASED PRESSURE AT THE ONSET OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AND REDUCED PRESSURE AFTERWARD.

Safety risk

THIS COULD INCREASE THE SEVERITY OF INJURY TO A PERSON WHO WAS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED AND WHO WAS CLOSE TO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT. IT COULD ALSO REDUCE THE AB8ILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT A RESTRAINED FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 16, 2002. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V383000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component: Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 75,816
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-12-13
Owners notified: 2002-04-10

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MINI VANS BUILT WITH SECOND ROW 50/50 SPLIT BENCH SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SEAT LATCH ANCHOR WIRE DIAMETER IS GREATER THAN 6.1 MM.

Safety risk

IF THE CONNECTOR FOR A LATCH-TYPE CHILD RESTRAINT IS NOT ATTACHED CORRECTLY TO THE ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE RESTRAINT WILL NOT PROPERLY PROTECT A CHILD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LATCH ANCHOR WIRES AND REPAIR THOSE WITH AN IMPROPER DIAMETER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 10, 2002. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V026000

Air bags: frontal

Component: Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 38
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-02-01
Owners notified: 2001-01-29

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND MINIVANS. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR MODULES WERE BUILT WITHOUT THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GENERANT, WHICH PRODUCES THE GAS THAT FILLS THE AIR BAG. SOME WERE BUILT WITH A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT AND SOME WERE BUILT WITHOUT GENERANT.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THAT WOULD TRIGGER A PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, A DOUBLE LOAD OF GENERANT CAN CAUSE THE INFLATOR MODULE TO EXPLODE. IF THE AIR BAG MODULE EXPLODES, METAL AND PLASTIC DEBRIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANT. A MODULE WITH NO GENERANT WOULD NOT INFLATE THE AIR BAG, AND THE OCCUPANTS COULD RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULE. TELEPHONE CALLS WERE MADE TO OWNERS ON JANUARY 29, 2001. FOLLOW UP OWNER MAILING BEGAN ON APRIL 17, 2001. 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 CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, OR SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system	27	69,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	22	45,000 mi
Air bags	16	153,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	15	52,819 mi
Engine and engine cooling	13	52,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	11	115,000 mi
Unknown or other	11	40,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage	9	90,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	9	10,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	8	45,964 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	8	68,780 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	7	54,000 mi
Tires	7	17,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	6	43,130 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	6	155,624 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	6	36,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	6	54,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	5	56,236 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	4	39,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	4	68,200 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	4	17,000 mi
Equipment	3	31,000 mi
Exterior lighting	3	10,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	3	500 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	3	38,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	110,000 mi
Interior lighting	3	50,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	—
Seat belts: front	3	4,772 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	3	65,000 mi
Suspension	3	100,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	3	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	3	8,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	3	500 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor	3	—
Air bags: side/window	2	40,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	2	500 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	2	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights	2	—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock	2	—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	2	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	2	—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	2	56,000 mi
Seat belts	2	—
Seats	2	—
Service brakes	2	160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	2	—
Steering	2	162,000 mi
Structure	2	500 mi
Structure: body: door	2	—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	2	16,000 mi
Suspension: front	2	500 mi
Suspension: front: hub	2	15,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	2	56,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor	2	13,745 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module	1	—
Child seat	1	—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	69,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	—
Electrical system: ignition	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	1	69,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	86,010 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly	1	39,000 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly: solenoid	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	54,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	—
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	13,745 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	50,000 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	62,200 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: tank valve/gauge	1	—
Exterior lighting: fog lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	15,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	20,350 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices	1	87,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch	1	36,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional: air	1	44,000 mi
Power train	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	—
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	1	56,918 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	47,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	22,271 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut	1	17,000 mi
Visibility	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior	1	53,000 mi
Wheels	1	100,000 mi

The 2002 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.