Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-47
My drivers side window will not go up at all. Anyone know what is causing that? And/ or what I can do to fix it aside from taking it to the shop?
Join this group and they can answer your question:
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Aztekowners/.
I own a 2001 Aztek and like everyone else I love the vehicle, but hate all the little things that go wrong. My A/C went out two years ago and for $800 I decide to just roll the windows down. My tail lights are peeling, my head lights dim and brighten, dim and brighten, but the dealership state they can't duplicate. I kick my lumbar knob off all the time and put it back on. My rear hatch doesn't work at all most of the time. Was told I needed a $400 module. I popped the cover off the tail gate and used the manual cables to open the lift-gate. (the tailgate won't open or unlock if the lift gate latches don't release) My driver side window wouldn't come up and the dealership wanted $120 just for the switch assembly then labor to put it in. I bought one on ebay for $23 and put it in myself in 15 minutes. What bothers me is that my problems are very common problems that seem to be associated with the Aztek, but GM nor Pontiac really seem concerned about addressing them fairly. I won't buy another Pontiac.
Aztek 2003 I bought her in 2007 and in the 2nd month of ownership to the 3rd there is a constant 2inches of water on the floor, the windshield leaks, the service engine light is always on, even after filling up it says low fuel and the gauge is on E, a manufacture gas tank strap defect, the back latch does not release, it gets stuck in park, and the key gets stuck in the ignition for hours sometimes days. A mechanic at the dealership told me everything was related to recalls on the aztec, especially because of an "elbow seal"that was forgotten during production, which is causing water to leak into the vehicle, because it does not drain properly from the AC, but since I didn't have the recall notice I would have to pay for all the repairs. Now it has a serious electrical problem and the fuel pump is shorting out. I was warned when the pump begins to short out that gas starts to leak and it could catch on fire. I was also warned that the key getting stuck in the ignition was a warning sign of a potential fatal defect in the steering column that would lead to unexpected loss of control of the vehicle while driving. After doing my own research I found out that a slew of Aztecs had been recalled for the same defects and had been fixed by the dealerships under recall status. After contacting the manufacturer, I was informed that my Aztec was not listed under any of the open recalls, so I was responsible for all the repairs. I began to question the other recalls, if they still stood behind their product and about one of their own mechanics telling me it was under recall. They checked the computer for my original diagnogstic evaluation from the dealership. I was appalled when they told me that it wasnt it the computer that I hadn't been to the dealership to have it checked. I was told to pay to have it done again and if the mechanic puts in the computer that it falls under the recalls that they would make the repairs for me. This doesn't seem right? If so many others have been recalled and repaired for the same defects why is mine being questioned? Please help!!! If anyone knows where I should go from here or if their similar problems have been resolved let me know. Thank you.
I love my 2003 Aztec bought it in late 2002, I too had a problem with the back hatch not opening on the first try. front wheel bearings went out within 30.000 miles. I am on my third set of front wheel bearings. I have started changing them myself, Have had no problems with any knobs yet, and has 145.000 miles on it. The connector for the front head light has corroded, can't replace it without buying a new $450.00 head light assembly. I just bye-passed the connector. The air works great. ( (I still love it :) )
Barbara (Michigan)
As everyone else has explained, the Aztek should be recalled and GM should admit to selling a lemon to an unsuspecting public. I have all of the same problems that everyone else has, but GM will not accept the fact that they released a poor quality product. It is time our Government got more control of the US auto companies; no wonder they are going broke.
My Aztek is possessed.
I do not know where to start, in fact I can't even remember where it started. Off the top of my head here is the list of problems I can remember, SO FAR:
AC does not work, like everyone else the condenser is toast and I have opted to roll down the windows, I should mention that happened at 62 000km.
There was a chafed and shorted electrical wire coming through the fire wall and I had water leaking in from my roof rack and the seems of the rear hatch. This would allow water to flow through the frame of the car and pool under the vapor barrier and carpet. The water would collect at the main line connector just in front of the driver side passenger and short out everything. It took close to a year to find the problem, in the mean time this resulted in: a blown fuel pump, numerous head lights, battery, two starters, alternator, instrument cluster, ignition switch, ignition core, ABS sensors, keys stuck in ignition, unable to insert keys in ignition, Theft protection system malfunction, failure of communication from the computer to the dash.
To add to the electrical problem the are the bad hatch problems where it won't open properly, tie rod ends, ball joints, transmission mounts, the dash lights flicking off, car suddenly shutting down while driving, the lumbar knob, peeling tail lights.
I am sure there is much more that I can't even remember. So after close to two years, over $6000.00, not including much of the work the dealer actually for the covered out of sympathy, my vehicle is now still at the dealership 3rd consecutive week, eating more of my hard earned cash while they try to find what's going on and currently awaiting pars to replace the instrument cluster for the second time ($850.00) and trying to determine why with all their efforts they cannot get the service vehicle light to go away.
HELP ME.
My only advice... Do not purchase an Aztek. I myself will never own another Pontiac product as long as I shall live.
I have a 2001 Aztec and am having a problem with the drivers door. It has started binding against the front fender when I open and close it. I took it to a body shop and they told me it is a design flaw on a lot of cars. The pillar is cracking and getting weak which is putting the door out of alignment. To fix it he said they have to remove the fender and door and re weld the pillar. Has anyone else had this problem?
Like most of the previous comments, I too, love my '01 Aztek, but have had my fair share of frustrations. Luckily, I have not had any problems with the a/c, but I bought it with 56,000 miles on it (it may have been replaced before)
I had to have the internal computer replaced, which was a headache in itself, and costly. Even though my husband replaced it himself, we still had to take it to a dealership to flash the comp. to the vehicle (more $). We have also had to replace the master control switch for the windows. Our sunroof leaks as well, and it drips down into the cup holders (where the int. comp. is located) Now my transmission has felt like it is jumping. Also, my engine light has been on for some time, and just recently my temp. gage won't work (but my heat still does), and my radiator fans stays running even after I turn my car off. My service vehicle soon light is on as well.
I have also had problems with my rear hatch not opening, and my tail lights peeling.
I have seen a lot of comments about lights flickering on their own, radios being locked, windows not working, these are symptoms of your internal computer not working, get ready to shell out some more money.
I have a 2001 Pontiac Aztek 4WD – fully loaded.
We got it brand new in June 2001. It was fine for the first few months.
(1). By October, the screen in the dash that tells time and radio station, etc., didn’t work. No backlight, nothing – took it in to the dealer, since it was under warranty and got word back that there was nothing that could be done save getting a new car – and we’d have to pay for the transport and paperwork, etc. We decided to let it go. Years later, nothing’s changed.
(2). I was driving the SUV down the road and noticed a sound I’ve never heard before, and saw some dust or smoke flying up in the air on the front passenger side, so I pulled over. The entire light, its casing, and all that had become unlodged. The wires were all over the place, the light was cracked, and the plastic sealing had fallen off somewhere in the drive. I had to call my husband to bring duct tape so I could tape the entire thing back in and take it to the mechanic. Pontiac’s replacement sealing didn’t fit right for some reason, so even now the light doesn’t fit into the cavity right anymore.
(3). For about a year there, the Check Engine Soon light stayed on constantly – I took it to the mechanic and he said there was absolutely nothing wrong. So I took it to another one, because it’s a brand new car and if it says there’s something wrong there HAS to be something wrong. Once again, I was told there was nothing wrong. One day, I drove too far forward in the garage and hit the wall – the Check Engine Soon light went out. Since then it’s done this multiple times – the light being on for months and randomly going off. Early on, I learned not to fret since everytime I brought the Aztek to the mechanic about the light, it came out just fine.
(4). The battery was just replaced, for about the fifth time in just over that many years. Even with this, the battery light comes on for about ten minutes every time I start the car. The battery checks out fine, so it’s the problem with the car.
(5). The car grinds every single time it’s started. It sounds horrible. I had the starter replaced, still makes the noise. I’ve had everything looked at in the car and keep it in great shape, and there’s no reason for that noise. Even the mechanic is stooped.
(6). The interior tailgate release button doesn’t work unless you press it more than five times and someone is back there to pull the hatch up while you’re pressing it. The key chain button works fine, though that, too, takes two pushes sometimes.
(7). The interior thermometer for the exterior won’t work. It’s stuck at 0C and has been that way since about forty-five thousand miles. Nothing I do works, the directions in the manual don’t work. It’s stuck!
(8). When I turn the vehicle on, the gas gauge will tell me that I have more gas than I have. I have to drive around ten miles before it slowly starts to slide to where the gas is. When I park the car, it’s where the gas level really is, but when I start it’ll say there’s quite a bit more in the tank than there is. I know this is a fault in the car, as I am the only one who drives the vehicle and there’s no way the gas can be filled while it’s parked in my garage.
(9). The lighter/adapter doesn’t work. One winter, I pressed the lighter in and it never popped out. I have never plugged anything into it, as I think talking on a cell phone while driving is extremely stupid so a charger is pointless. It just no longer works. It worked the night before, but eleven hours later it fails me, and since then has failed. The fuse has been replaced, still no change.
(10). The overhead sunglass organizer falls out CONSTANTLY. I have never used it in all the years I’ve owned this car. I will stop at a sign and it will fall out. I can be driving at a steady 65 down the highway and it’ll fall out. It is completely random!
(11). The driver’s side seat no longer heats up when I press the button. The wiring is fine, the mechanic says, so he doesn’t know why it isn’t working. It just doesn’t work.
(12). The brakes are horrible! I have had the entire setup replaced a few times to no avail. They still squeak even after months of gentle use. They “stick” and jump. This problem became apparent about two months after I drove it off the lot, and has gotten progressively worse, even when it’s all been replaced.
There is SO much more, but I can’t even begin. It’s terrible ;_;
I have a 2001 Aztek. I bought it new.
Like everyone else, I love the car, but it has had expensive issues.
My air conditioner went out right after the warranty was up. My tail lights peeled, and my rear hatch pops but won't open until I pull up on it, and then hit the button again. I have had the latch replaced and it worked for awhile, then broke again. The dealer said the hatch is too heavy for the latch.
Now for the real expense. My BCM and PCM have both gone out within 6 months. The first one wouldn't allow the windows, door locks, interior lights and radio to work. The other wouldn't let the car start at all. Both are very expensive to fix and only a dealer can reprogram it, so you can't fix it yourself or go to a cheaper mechanic.
My battery get a lot of corrosion on it, although I only had to replace it once the new one is a mess and has to be cleaned.
I hear the same problems from everyone, yet they won't address it. This was my first GM and it is my last.
I have 2001 Aztek and my radio won't unlock. Took it to dealer and cost forty dollars, and it still didn't unlock, so I went to put an aftermarket stereo in it, and it wouldn't work right, so had to wire it direct. So it is the first time I have ever come by this problem.
I too bought a 2002 Aztek this year, and even though it's used, I loved it right away!
But... then the problems started happening; front wipers mechanical arms (trans) locked up; just changed the alternator and battery; about ready to change the thermostat, filter, and intake gasket, when the car dies all of the sudden, no power, couldn't shift into neutral, had to tow it home. The next day it started right up no problem.
Now the dash gages are shorting in-and-out along with the radio, heads up display, and anything else electric in the vehicle. What to do?
My drivers window won't work, hatch won't open unless you have two people.
It has some noise from the rear end when driving, sounds like universal??.
I love the car, I just wish it were better made.
"It has some noise from the rear end when driving, sounds like universal??."
Unless your Aztek is AWD, there is no "universal" back there.
Me and the wife bought a 03 Aztek in Oct 06.
1. Shifter went out.
2. R&R the wheel bearings, all 4 of them each summer because the snow builds up in the wheel well and rips the wires off.
3. Shifter head came off locking the car in Park.
4. Transmission slips for no reason and the auto shop can't find out why after many repairs. Still don't know.
5. Wiring harness under battery box rubbed raw and fried the computer. Bid $$$ there.
6. Battery is a pain in the ass to change, but has to be done every 2 years as the posts corrode off.
We love the car, but it's very badly made.