2000 Pontiac Aztek from North America - Comments

I have a 2001 that I bought in Dec. of that year with 1700 miles on it. The following April, I had to replace the AC condenser and have had no problems with it since. But, I have had the fuel gage quit, I read my mileage, I am in no hurry to get it fixed, I had to place my fan registor, for the AC this summer, both common problems. Two weeks ago, I put 100,000 and as of this week, I have 100,140. Along with that, I started leaking coolant and belive that a gasket is leaking. I may not be able to afford to have it replaced, but I really like my car and the thought of having to trade it in almost hurts. It is the most versatile vehicle I have ever owned. I do not want a mini van, nor do I want a SUV, this fits right in the middle.

I bought my '01 Aztek in Feb '06 with 108k miles on it. I now have 128k miles and it still works well.

I personally love this vehicle even with the problems. I've experienced:

- manifold gasket leaking antifreeze

- a/c condenser leaking

- tires early on with "cupping"

- faded plastic

- poor seat covering with some small holes

- the pinging/knocking in the engine that some have mentioned

- the engine service light due to the gas cap

- recently heated oxygen sensor and oil pressure sensor went.

Some of these issues are way too frequent to not be a systematic problem. GM is dishonest!

Every one on this...we all need to band to gather..we are all getting riped off by G M..we can't let them take us all to the cleaners...they keep making the money so they don't really care but if we all band together we have power by numbers.. tell everyone you know (NOT) to buy one of these until they start to listen to the people that drive their product... and start to show that they do care about their customers...

Wish I had seen this site in the beginning.

I had to replace the whole transmission, the wiper motor. I have been to the shop more than I have driven. I hope GM reads this page because I will never ever buy another one of their cars.

Right now the battery went dead, the front driver side power window doesn't work and the A/C is out.

Can't afford to buy another car I am just stuck.

We have owned our Aztek since 2002, and I am amazed that the problems others mentioned are happening to ours as well.

- The front wheel bearings started grinding before 30,000 miles, and were warranty covered.

- The rear hatch only releases if you hold the release button and lift.

- The lower AC condenser mount bracket broke. My mechanic was aware of this problem, and said he never bolts the lower bracket down, but rather zip ties it to the frame to avoid the frame stress from tearing the bracket at the condenser joint, but it cost $600 to fix.

- He also mentioned that the manifold gasket will go and start leaking anti-freeze. This is due to the Dex-cool GM uses. The coolant eats away at the gasket over time, and will need replacing. Ours lately is getting wet at the intake manifold, and is using more coolant than in the past.

- Finally, the erratic electronic behavior many mention is going on. The car has started locking and unlocking the drivers door, flashing the headlights, blinks security on the dash, reads low fuel, odometer reads the word "error" and the rear hatch unlocks while you drive. It started one day with the door lock and now it's like it's possessed. I see that this is most likely the BCM (body control module) others reported. I am going to look into it, thanks.

- We have enjoyed our Aztek over the years, but find these problems flawed GM design that warrants some type of recall. We own five vehicles from GM, Ford and Dodge, but only our Aztek has had such odd, and as you all know, universal problems!

I just purchased my 2001 Pontiac Aztek in March 2007. Less than a month later, I was back at the dealer due to coolant leaking. The dealership replaced gaskets, engine parts, etc. at a cost of over 2,000.00. My rear wheel bearing has been replaced.

Mind you, I am a single mother and paid a lot of money. I was hoping for a very reliable car.

That's not all! Today I went out and all of a sudden there was a loud sound from back of car (like a diesel truck) I went about 2 more blocks and could neither go forward or reverse. I had to call 911 and get a tow truck. The tow truck driver said there wasn't any transmission fluid in it. Mind you, I recently and faithfully just got an oil change and rear brakes in Nov. 2007. Why don't they recall this vehicle and give people their money back?

We purchased a 2004 Aztek in the Summer of 2005 with about 22k miles on it. 3 weeks later it turned itself off while we were in a McDonald's drive thru. The dealership picked up the car and had to replace a computer chip in the steering column that was part of a recall. Everything okay until a couple of months ago. Brakes replaced in November 07. Now Rear Hatch won't open unless we push the remote button and lift the hatch up. More importantly, though, every time we drive for about 20 minutes or more and have to turn into a driveway or parking space, there is a moaning sound from the rear section of the vehicle.

We have kept up the servicing - fluid checks, oil changes, wheels rotated, balanced & aligned - every 3 - 4 months. What is this? Wheel bearings? Versa Trak need re-filling??? Any ideas?

I bought a 2002 Aztec in 05. I loved my car at first it only had 16,000 on it. I now owe about 6,000 and I won't to get rid of it. my extended warranty is up very soon. I have put so much time and money into this car. I don't want to list the many problems it would go on forever. The last thing done was rebuilding the transmission that cost thousands. It was at the dealers for 3 1/2 weeks. The most stress in my life was this car. I will miss my yellow submarine, but it needs to go!!!

I have just spent the past 30 minutes reading through all of the comments on this page, and I am both relieved and depressed about what I have read. Relieved to see that I am not the only one having all these problems, but depressed because I haven't even had my car for a year. I see what I am most likely in for in the coming years.

I have a 2003 AWD Aztek that I actually purchased in November of 2007. It passed a dumb 20-point inspection, but as soon as I get it and drive it home, the Check Engine light comes on. It ends up in the shop and stays there for 2 weeks. They had to replace gaskets and the fuel gauge and something else.

Since then, I've experienced these issues:

- Cracked brake pads had to be replaced.

- TIRES!!! (I've almost had 2 wrecks thanks to the brakes and the tires!)

- Wheel bearings.

- Hatchback does not open unless I am standing there lifting while pushing the button on the remote.

- Loud "Winding, whining" sound whenever I make a turn into a parking spot or sharp turn of any kind.

- Problems starting sometimes (It turns over for several seconds before actually cranking.)

Right now, I am only at about 40k miles. I love this car for the space and the comfort and the other things it offers, but all these problems are costly and annoying. Even with the warranty helping with costs of the mechanical problems, it's very difficult for my husband and I to function as a 1-car family while the car is being repaired.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that sometimes when you crank the car, you can't put it into gear. You have to "reboot" the car... meaning turn it off and crank it up again.