2002 Pontiac Aztek from North America - Comments

My only real complaint is the rear hatch. Sometimes during the summer and very frequently during the winter, the rear hatch does not fully release when the button is pressed (either inside or key fob). It releases somewhat, but not enough to open. You must press button again to fully release. Has anyone else encountered this? The dealer has taken the entire rear assembly apart and it does work a little better. However, extreme pressure is now needed to fully close the rear glass. What it needs is a power closure, but Pontiac won't invest in the Aztek when it only has a couple years of life left.

I too have noticed seats starting to wear prematurely.

Everything else I love about the Aztek. I have watched it develop from a concept vehicle and couldn't wait for Pontiac to produce it. However, I did manage to wait a year after manufacture to avoid the lower dark body cladding.

As I added to another review with the same hatch release problem, GM issued a service bulletin (Document ID: 1307608)

with instructions on how to correct the misaligned hinges. I had the correction done on my 2003 Aztek and it worked. I think that you have to ensure that a qualified and motivated body man does the job. Mind you, the fact that I found the bulletin subject and number and told the service department about it might have helped.

I HAVE A 2002 AZTEK, AND I NOTICED IT'S HARD TO GET MY HATCH OPEN ALSO. I EITHER HAVE TO HOLD THE BUTTON AND HAVE SOMEONE OPEN IT WHILE THE BUTTON IS HELD IN, OR I HAVE TO KEEP THE KEY TURNED AS I OPEN IT. IT'S KIND OF A PAIN. OR I NOTICED IF I PUSH THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES, IT WILL FINALLY POP OPEN.

I own a 2003 Aztek and after a week of driving it the rear hatch does not open all the way when the release button is pushed. I've talked to the dealership and they tell me it is because the glass is way too heavy for the shock/compressed air bars to release it fully from the latches. They were unable to fix it. One other thing that bothers me is the missing rear window wiper. Could not GM think that this should be a standard feature? I know a little Rain-X would help, but a wiper would be nice. Kermit.