Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-72
Hi, I've had my Aztek since the fall of 2000 (Yup one of the first ones) Other than needing brakes more often (which after reading the other comments, I can now tell my husband it's not the way I drive) and the back hatch issue, I've been pretty lucky. However... my CD player is stuck and every 15 seconds displays "check CD". I'm not sure if there IS a CD stuck in there or it only thinks there is one in there. I tried putting another CD into it, and it just spits it back at me. It makes a whirling noise even when I have the thing turned off. Last night it drained my battery! Has anyone else had THIS problem?
Thanks.
Ialso have a 2001 Aztek up until this Nov I had only replaced the water pump now my lights flash off and on when its cold then one day my car went nuts the horn came on permanently until I took the fuse out and the rear hatch came open and wouldn't shut then the battery was dead. I charged it up, but I have been told its the BCM. I have called GM and I have gotten the same response not there problem too bad I am hoping it blows up and I am in it then maybe GM will get what everyone is telling them. I too will never buy another Aztek again even though I liked it. Also changed battery and was told that I need to reset the computer, but the book doesn't tell you how?
I have had really bad Trunk issues and water leak issues. Has anyone else had these problems? Please let me know! one and one half months after I bought my Aztec from the Pontiac dealer, the trunk stopped opening. Even the key would not open it- the popping mechanism was not even making a sound. That went on until about Nov or Dec- I bought the SUV in June 2006. Then one day it randomly popped open again. Since then, it pops open whenever it wants- but never when I need it too. Very unreliable. I had an estimate- Pontiac said $500 to fix it- b/c the brain of the car died. As Crash One said- so if the brain of the car died- why to the car still running? And since when do they put a separate computer in the car just for popping the rear hatch? So, doesn't really make sense, and it doesn't make sense I can't just use my key instead. I could deal with just using the key if it were an option- but apparently not. Its sad- b/c its the main reason I wanted an SUV- for its trunk.
Next issue- SERVICE VEHICLE SOON- this is too vague. It comes on all the time. Other other time I start the car it comes on. I just put $800 in the car on 02/19/07 to correct the problems. It had leaky gasgets, replaced intake valve, replaced thermostat, fixed leaky coolent and filled... long list of things.. So, now it turns out I paid all that for nothing. My SUV is overheating again, and the computer to the car is not telling it to turn the fans on to cool the car down when hot. I have water behind my dashboard affecting the computer... and apparently its the tip of the iceberg, according to Pep Boys. They still don't know where the water is leaking in, but it happens when it rains. Water pours in on the driver and passengers feet. And its coming from behind the dash. Pontiac still has my car b/c they don't know the source of the leak and have to bring a leak expert in to look at it. I think this is terrible. I absolutely love the Aztec and wanted it since it first came out. Now I finally have one, and no one will even give me an estimate on it b/c the problem is above eveyones head. I am so sad this car is letting me down and so is the dealership. I initially felt I would always want to own an Aztec- one after the other until I run them to the ground- but in less than a year, I am stunned by how it has run me to the ground. Why are there not more recalls for this car? If they want people to own them- they need to have recalls for the defects in the vehicle- not make the owners responsible for massive building errors. I love my Aztec, even though it doesn't love me. My friends laugh and say- the Aztec is my Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. But it is breaking my heart.
I was told the water in the dash has posed a high fire hazard. How do I drive my 3 year old around in a high fire hazard risk for a flooded car I have never driven in high water or anything? I know, I have to do it b/c I have a loan to pay. Please let me know if anyone is having these crazy problems. Thanks!!
Well I bought my 2001 Aztek in January of 2007 and I loved it, at first... since then I have had to replace many things..
1. The entire electrical system went crazy randomly my alarm would go off the horn would keep honking and the radio wouldn't work, that was a nice 500$ to replace.
2. Brakes had to be replaced very shortly after I bought it. covered by dealership considering I bought it a week before.
3. The hatch - same problem as everyone else. Works well in now in the warm months, but when I first bought it, it would not work.
4. My air conditioning system is acting up. the fan speed is the only thing that's weird the air is cold, but the settings 1 and 2 are not working. 3,4, and 5 work just fine, but I'm afraid that in a matter of time that will go as well. If anyone knows what that problem is please let me know!!!
5. The check engine light will go on sometimes - but the man at the oil change place thought me how to reset the system so the light will go off and if there is a real problem it comes back on. the first time there was no problem and this time I'm pretty sure it was the gas cap - "check engine" is too broad of a subject.
Other than my problems I am in love with my car I would love to have another one if the problems were fixed!!
My 2001 Aztek has been on the road since Jan. 18 '01 and just turned 50k miles. I talk to Aztek owners anytime I see them (which isn't often) and four problems appear to be universal:
1. Your AC compressor will fail at around 40k. The mechanic at my Pontiac dealership told me that the way it's mounted it absorbs stress from the frame leading to eventual cracking. It can't be moved so I suspect this will happen every 40k or so.
2. The back liftgate is too heavy for the rubber washer and the release mechanism. When it's cold it can't quite get it up. Again, it can't really be fixed.
3. The weird instrument behavior, horn honking and even rear gate not unlocking (even using the key, it's electronic) are all due to the BCM - body control module. This little box of circuitry is under your cupholder next to the shifter and in the early techs it had memory problems. As the BCM aged it often forgot stuff it was to remember and sent weird signals. You can reset the module by removing and then re-inserting fuse #28. If you're in the early stages of failure this fix may last for weeks. Later it only lasts a day.
4. The clear coat on the black plastic pieces and rear lights degrades quickly giving you a flaky, aged look. It's only cosmetic, but you'd think after 30 years of making plastics GM would know better.
My other car is a 98 Camry and though the dealership experiences at Toyota are much more pleasant it too has its "known defects" that are part of owning the car.
Man I've read all those comments and I feel your pain I have a pontiac aztec 2001 it is a great reliable vehicle, but I live in sacramento california and its 115 degrees here and the mechanic said the condensor is cracked and needs replaced the air don't even work. I'm in the military and can't afford to have it replaced man that sucks I'm gonna die of heat. Has anyone heard of a recall yet please let me know.
We just got a 2001 Aztek. During the test drive everything was great. As soon as you paid for it, about 1 hour later the Air control fan quit working. The temp gauge runs hot.
My new wife owns an 02 and I haven't had much to do with the car. This car has 80,000 miles on it and she has owned it for about 5 years. She has had it back to the dealer several times right after she bought it for problems. Now the manifold gasket thing is going bad and now the radio is locked and the bcm is wiped clean from what the mechanic said "It was void of all factor settings". So now she has my 07 suburban and I'm stuck with this junk. Now the lights flash the door lock and unlock while driving the rear hatch unlatches when you start the car and all the other problems everyone else has mentioned. That's my two cents, for what its worth.
I read a long comment from the flooded aztec owner. My bet would be the windshield has been replaced before and they couldn't get it to seal. That's where our problems started. A cracked windshield. It took the windshield shop about four times and several storms to finally fix the leak. Every morning after a rain my wife would get soaked feet from the water from under the dash. The amount of water standing in the floorboards could allow a flock of birds to bath. Of course the bcm is located down under the cup holders next to the gear shift. We think ours got wet several times and started the list of problems we have now. So have the dealership reinstall the windshield and use like 10 tubes of sealant which should stop your moisture problem. As for the rest of your problems we are having all the same. Leaking coolant, service light coming on the dinging the whole time your driving, the rear hatch likes to pop when you start the car, doors clicking from locking and unlocking, the stereo not working to drown out all the bells and whistles that are sounding. This car has so much going for it, but way more going wrong with it. I hope this helps you some.
Hi all... "whata" great site. I do not feel so alone now with me and my Aztec love it/hate it relationship. I live in Oshawa (GM town in Ontario, Canada). I bought my 2001 Aztec off my neighbour in 2003 (he works for GM and was taking advantage of a deal and purchasing another GM car). It has less than 30,000 miles on it at the time so I had another 30 to go on the warranty (that goodness). The head gasket and AC went almost immediately. I had leaks in the driver side rear window and my air bag light was a problem a few times. There was not a problem getting any of these problems fixed, but I was appalled at the service attitude. The guys fully admitted knowing the problems with the above issues... and that GM was fully aware... and if any of these repairs had come up after the 60,000 mark... I would have been up the creek and paying myself. I was shocked that they admitted this. GM Canada side, knew and did nothing about it because it is not a safety issue.
After the warranty... well, I had the on board computer board go (big ticket repair, but no choice as it would eventually affect the security system). My air bag indicator still goes on (mostly) and off (uhmmm when it is cold out, sometimes). My heated seats, don't heat so well. Does anyone know if that might just be a fuse somewhere??? (wishful thinking up here in the north)...
BUT... biggie... my muffler has started going. The STAINLESS STEEL muffler (that means it does not rust, right?) has started RUSTING where it attaches to the tail pipe. I went to a local muffler shop and they were shocked... they did not even stock the part, because it should not be needed at this point in time. They could get one in special order... and $360.00 later I can replace it. I have tried contacting GM about the fact that this muffler seems to be failing so early.. NODDA word... cannot get a straight answer. HAS ANYONE come across this issue???
My compressor no longer compressed and dangling down from underneath near the door, I can see the wee hose...no longer attached to the other part of the hose... it sounds like an air brake sometimes when I start up. I am not rushing to fix this, although I know I should eventually, especially if I want to fill the mattress for the tent package. HAS anyone had to deal with this... and is it expensive (dumb question... of course it is... it is GM).
NOW, having said all this, I love this car for it's comfort and road handling... and sound system. Road trips with the tunes blasting are fun times for myself and my teen kids. My kids friend's think their Mom is pretty kewlll... :-)
I hate and am insulted by the arrogance of GM and their dealers... they care not a bit for their customers.
I also have a 2001 Aztec and it has been great, except now at 79,000 miles my A/C is out. Same problem previously mentioned, many times. It has been 100 degrees plus here in Alabama for the second week in a row. I cannot believe how much it is to fix this problem, a problem that seems to be occurring in almost all of these vehicles. I agree, a recall needs to happen. My warranty expired at 75,000 miles... go figure.:)
I had no idea there were so many of us! I love my Aztec, but...
My first Aztec was a 2001 that was eventually lemon lawed for a very leaky sunroof. I took the money and got a 2003 and have had no leaks in the sunroof, but...
I do have the same leak on the driver and passenger side feet. The computer has been replaced, as has the battery, and today the A/C is out. At first, it would work and then shut off, so I would turn off the car, and then turn on the car again and it would work. This went on for two weeks and now it does not turn on at all. Of course, the warranty is over (40,000 miles) so the A/C is my problem. I took it to Firestone and they said it was the blower motor and the resister = cost is $328. Of course, after reading all of these comments I am terrified that next week the A/C will die again and it will be the compressor. I fully expect to contact GM and bring this to their attention. This is a defect without a doubt. There is strength in numbers so if anyone wants to join this campaign, let me know! LM.
2001 Pontiac Aztec (120,000 miles)
"I still can't figure out whether to love this car or to hate it"
So far, this car has been performing like a charm. We haven't had any engine problem what so ever for the past six years. The only repair done on this car was the AC compressor. I think this is the major problem with this car. Pontiac had replaced the compressor 4 TIMES and I'm just waiting for it to go out again. hopefully not soon. Other than that, nothing has failed yet.
We have been traveling for the last 4 yrs pulling a 5x10 enclosed trailer, fully loaded, started in FL. to TN, NM, CA, OR, WA, NY, RI, DE, PA, MD and we are now planning again for TN. Amazingly, this car is still running like new. Other than the looks of this car, I'm very pleased with it. It rides really smooth and very quiet and LOT'S of TORQUE!!!
I would highly recommend this car to anybody any day!! It's not a great looking car, but it sure does turn some head on the road. Performance..., you'll be blown away. Excellent performance!!!
I am about to venture into the bowels of the Aztek and I am excited. I am gonna buy one with 100k on it. (still has 15k warranty). I think they are very cool looking. I know there seems to be issues with it, but you can get them with any car. I will post again after I have owned it for a while. So wish me luck. (Don't BE A LEMON, Don't BE A LEMON, Don't BE A LEMON!!!)
I have a 2001, it has so many quirks, but my question is about the latest one; The horn honks when I start and turn off the engine, and tonight it started honking while I am driving it! It probably honks every couple minutes. It also honks even when the car is not running, like if its sitting in the driveway. Has this happened to anyone? What should I do???