2002 Pontiac AZTEK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
121 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 85 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 121 complaints (12.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 14.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 17 | 14.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 10.7% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 15 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 14 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
Electrical System: 15; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 14; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 12 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 12; 150,000 and above: 5
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 17 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 22 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2002: 5; 2003: 17; 2004: 15; 2005: 22; 2006: 16; 2007: 8; 2008: 17; 2009: 3; 2010: 4; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10029164 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
ABS ACTIVATION ON DRY ROADS AT LOW SPEEDS 20MPH BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR AT VARIOUS TIMES . ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE RESURFACED AT 7721 MILE WE WERE TOLD WARPED PITTED AND RUSTED THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE INTERMITNET ACTIVATIO OF THE ABS SYSTEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,721 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048829 · 2003-11-29 (November 29, 2003)
MY 2002 AZTEK HAS ONLY 45,000 MILES, MOSTLY HIGHWAY. THE REAR BRAKES ARE MAKING A GRINDING NOISE RIGHT BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS TOLD BY PLAZA TIRE THAT THE BRAKES ARE NOT BAD, THAT PONTIAC HAS A PROBLEM WITH ITS BRAKING SYSTEM AND IS AWARE OF IT THE GENTLEMAN TO WHOM I SPOKE STATED THAT THE ONLY WAY HE KNEW TO FIX THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE THE ROTORS, CALIPERS AND PADS, AND THAT HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WOULDN'T REOCCUR. HE STATED I SHOULD TAKE IT TO MY PONTIAC DEALER AND THAT THEY SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT HE DID…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017204 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
THE LOCATION OF THE UNSEALED FUEL TANK FILLER VALVE ALLOWED AN OBJECT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH IT AND RIPPED THE CONNECTION UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THIS CAUSED FUEL TO DISPENSE FROM THE TANK.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062424 · 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
FUEL TANK FILLER SPRAYED FUEL ONTO EXHAUST PIPE WHILE UNDER NORMAL INTERSTATE DRIVING CONDITIONS. MY WIFE SMELLED AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL ABOUT 10 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FIRE WHILE FUELING AT A SERVICE STATION. SHE DISMISSED IT SINCE THERE WAS A NEARBY CONSTRUCTION CREW THAT WAS BURNING TRASH IN BARRELS. SHE THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS SOMETHING THEY WERE BURNING. AFTER A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, WE CONTINUED ON. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024032 · 2003-06-13 (June 13, 2003)
VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN AND DASHBOARD LIGHTS FLICKERED ON AND OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 6/10/2003. REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE BODY CONTROL MODULE. ON 6/11/2003 VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024032 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038301 · 2003-09-02 (September 2, 2003)
BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER.*MR ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE SHOULDER, IT COMPLETELY DIED. AFTER WAITING FOR 30-40 MIN. FOR ASSISTANCE, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FIRESTONE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE COMPUTER FAILING TO COMMUNICATE WITH ANOTHER PART. ON THE OTHER HAND, A MECHANIC FROM THE PONTIAC DEALERSHIP STATED THE FAILURE COULD HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF LOOSE CABLES. THE CONSUMER DISAGREED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STARTED UP AFTER APPROX. 30 …
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130759 · 2005-08-01 (August 1, 2005)
THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL TILT IS IN THE LOWEST 2 POSITIONS. I CALLED GM TO SEE IF THERE WAS A SERVICE ADVISORY FOR THIS AND THEY SAID NO. THEY ADVISED I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS WHICH WILL COST AT LEAST $90. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10130759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10146524 · 2005-12-30 (December 30, 2005)
I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. *NM THE BACK OF THE DRIVERS SEAT FAILED, CAUSING ME TO FALL BACKWARD AND HIT MY KNEES ON THE PLASTIC PANELS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. WHEN I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, SINCE THE SEAT BELT WAS NOW SLACK, THE INERTIA LOCKS WERE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE AND I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING INJURIES TO MY CHEST AND FOREARMS. I SUPPOSE I SHOULD BE HAPPY THAT I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY …
Owner-reported narrative. 78,493 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111867 · 2005-02-20 (February 20, 2005)
HAD TO REPLACE 5 WHEEL BEARINGS AC CONDENSERS REAR LATCH DOES NOT UNLATCH AT TIMES DEALER SAID THEY PUT ON A STRONGER SPRING STILL ONLY WORKS HALF THE TIME. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 70,000 DRIVER DOOR GETS OUT OF LINE BECAUSE OF HINGE BENDING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10592684 · 2014-05-20 (May 20, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEK. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 199,129. UPDATED 10/7/14*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 192,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592684 at NHTSA ↗