2004 Pontiac AZTEK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
48,146 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 53 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 67 complaints (14.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 25.4% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 14.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 14.9% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 13.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.0% |
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 | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 8 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 |
Electrical System: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 8; Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 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 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 5
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
2004: 13; 2005: 5; 2006: 8; 2007: 9; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 7; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 10 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 10052876 · 2004-01-12 (January 12, 2004)
LOSING AIR. TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS EACH OF CHECKING THE AIR PRESSURE, THE PRESSURE WAS DOWN TO 20 PSI, THEN 15 PSI. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052876 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074322 · 2004-07-06 (July 6, 2004)
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING AREA THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT THE STEERING COLUMN AND BRAKES LOCKED UP. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT A POWER STEERING PUMP WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING COLUMN IS STILL WHINING AND THE BRAKES ARE STILL GRINDING AND THE STARTER IS STILL HESITATING. *NM THE FRONT AND BACK BUMPERS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD A LOT OF PLAY, THE WINDSHIELD CONTAINED NUMEROUS CHIPS, THE WINDOWS SQUEALED WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING, THERE WAS A CONSTANT WHINING SOUND COMING FR…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10074801 · 2004-06-04 (June 4, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON VACATION MY AZTEC JUST SHUT OFF. I HAD IT TOWED THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SENT IT OUT THE DOOR. EIGHT HOURS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN. I HAD IT TOWED BACK AND THEY FOUND A BAD IGNITION RELAY!! THIS THING IS NOT EVEN FOUR MONTHS OLD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,690 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080297 · 2004-07-01 (July 1, 2004)
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, A WINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE DRIVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESTARTED IT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10080297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10083230 · 2004-07-19 (July 19, 2004)
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10083230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10088772 · 2004-08-29 (August 29, 2004)
WHILE PROCEEDING DOWN A STEEP HILL IN NORTHEREN PA THE ABS FAILED AND THE PONTIAC AZTEK BEGAN TO FISHTAIL AS THOUGH ON ICE. IT HAD TWO FRONTAL IMPACTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10088772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092564 · 2004-09-17 (September 17, 2004)
WHEN ROLLING THE WINDOWS DOWN AIR WAS COMING IN AND CAUSING A TURBULENCE IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, IT WAS TOO LOUD, IT SOUNDED LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO EXPLODE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092564 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097431 · 2004-10-21 (October 21, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097431 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V454000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage
Reported: 2003-11-10 (November 10, 2003)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.
Consequence: IF THESE PARTS SEPARATE, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE AN ODOR OF FUEL, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE, AND/OR FUEL MAY LEAK ONTO THE GROUND. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SERIAL NUMBER OF THE FUEL TANK TO SEE IF IT IS ON THE LIST OF AFFECTED TANKS. IF THE SERIAL NUMBER MATCHES, THE FUEL TANK WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080 OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V157000 · Electrical System:Ignition
Reported: 2005-04-20 (April 20, 2005)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, CONTAMINATION ON IGNITION RELAY CONTACTS CAN CAUSE HIGH RESISTANCE. THIS CAN AFFECT SIGNALS TO THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND, COULD CAUSE INTERMITTENT VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME.
Consequence: THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION RELAY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668 AND BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080.
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 ↗