2002 Pontiac AZTEK: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000308 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
THE WHEEL BEARING, ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE, WENT BAD IN MY 2002 PONTIAC AZTEC, 8700 MILES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THIS PRODUCT BUT HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALLS ON IT. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 8,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015441 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016170 · 2003-04-18 (April 18, 2003)
WHEEL BEARING AND WHEEL HUB PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL FAILED AT ABOUT 27500 MILES IN A 2002 PONTIAC AZTEK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 27,483 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016170 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 10018301 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
TOOK AZTEK IN FOR SERVICE ONLY TO FIND OUT BEARING IN FRONT WAS BAD AND WAS ADVISED COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018788 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)
RATTLE NOISE ON DRIVERS SIDE FREQUENT. VERY ANNOYING! *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018790 · 2003-05-16 (May 16, 2003)
REAR HATCH DEFECTIVE. WILL NOT OPEN. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021799 · 2003-05-29 (May 29, 2003)
THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR SHEET METAL WHERE THE HINGES ARE BOLTED TO ARE WARPING OUTWARD. THIS RESULTS IN THE DOOR BEING LOOSE, AND CAN FALL OFF AT ANYTIME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10021799 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V250000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
Reported: 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V349000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2007-08-08 (August 8, 2007)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).
Consequence: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.
NHTSA campaign record ↗