NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Pontiac Aztek Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Pontiac Aztek has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 67 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Pontiac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Pontiac Aztek, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Pontiac Aztek owner complaints

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Pontiac Aztek, describing incidents dated December 20, 2003 to April 25, 2020.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 16 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints
Engine 13 complaints
Service Brakes 12 complaints
Suspension 8 complaints
Air Bags 5 complaints

Of the 67 complaints on file, 5 report a crash; across all 67 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11322711 · Filed April 29, 2020
I HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS FROM MY CAR FOR YEARS BUT JUST NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT LOOKED AT. I EVEN CALLED ABOUT RECALLS CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THROUGH RESEARCH IN 2015 BUT WAS TOLD THEY HAD BEEN CLOSED SO I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN IF IT WAS PREVIOUSLY…
ODI #11319899 · Filed April 1, 2020
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING; THERE IS A HISTORY OF A RECALL THAT HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
ODI #11319417 · Filed March 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CRASHED INTO A GMC ENVOY AND FLIPPED OVER LANDING ON THE ROOF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE…

Read all 67 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Pontiac Aztek in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA07-006: FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Closed September 13, 2007
- Recall 07V-349
Recall Query RQ06-009: FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Closed April 18, 2007
Preliminary Evaluation PE04-075: IGNITION RELAY FAILURE
Closed April 28, 2005

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE WELD

NHTSA #07V349000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported August 8, 2007 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 20,594 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 06230 · Owners notified December 4, 2007 · Vehicles built June 1, 2003 – December 31, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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).

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 06230.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

AFTERMARKET FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS

NHTSA #07E021000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Pressure Relief Devices · NHTSA notice

Reported March 12, 2007 · DELPHI

Potentially affected: 742 vehicles

Owners notified April 27, 2007

Defect description

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Safety consequence

FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY GENERAL MOTORS.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

IGNITION RELAY CONTAMINATION

NHTSA #05V157000 · Electrical System — Ignition · NHTSA notice

Reported April 20, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 34,186 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05014 · Owners notified May 4, 2005 · Vehicles built October 1, 2003 – March 31, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, IT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 05014. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

GM/FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE WELD

NHTSA #03V454000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage · NHTSA notice

Reported November 10, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Potentially affected: 79 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 03055 · Owners notified November 4, 2003 · Vehicles built September 1, 2003 – September 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A WELD BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE AND THE FUEL TANK CAN FAIL.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

GM RECALL NO. 03055.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2004 Pontiac Aztek 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

67 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Pontiac Aztek.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11322711

Incident: April 25, 2020 · Filed: April 29, 2020

I HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS FROM MY CAR FOR YEARS BUT JUST NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO GET IT LOOKED AT. I EVEN CALLED ABOUT RECALLS CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THROUGH RESEARCH IN 2015 BUT WAS TOLD THEY HAD BEEN CLOSED SO I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN IF IT WAS PREVIOUSLY COVERED UNDER RECALL. I NO LONGER FILL MY TANK WITH GAS BECAUSE THERE IS A LEAK. I JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THEY STATE THAT I NEED A NEW FUEL TANK, AND FUEL LEVER SENSOR AND SENDER. ALSO, HAVE OIL LEAKS IN 2 PLACES, THEY TELL ME I NEED UPPER & LOWER INTAKE GASKETS. AS WELL AS VALVE COVER GASKETS & OIL PUMP DRIVE O-RING REPLACED AND OIL PAN GASKET REPLACED. ALSO, NEEDS WATER PUMP AND DRIVE BELT REPLACED.I ALSO FOR THE PAST 3 OR SO YEARS HAVE TO KEEP A PEN OR PENCIL IN MY CAR TO INSERT UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL TO RELEASE MY KEY .

Unknown or Other

ODI #11319899

Incident: March 31, 2020 · Filed: April 1, 2020

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING; THERE IS A HISTORY OF A RECALL THAT HAS NEVER BEEN REPAIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

Air Bags; Seat Belts; Seats

ODI #11319417

Crash 1 injury

Incident: February 21, 2020 · Filed: March 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CRASHED INTO A GMC ENVOY AND FLIPPED OVER LANDING ON THE ROOF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLOCK AS THE CONTACT WAS CUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL, WAS UNCONSCIOUS, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYE WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE OCCUPANT OF THE GMC HAD NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. *DT CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS LOST HER EYE SIGHT DUE TO AIRBAG FAILURE.*JB*DT*JB

Service Brakes

ODI #11170542

Incident: January 7, 2019 · Filed: January 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 PONTIAC AZTEK. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED BEFORE REACHING AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE HOSES WERE FRACTURED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS FRACTURED. THE BRAKES AND HOSES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.. *BF CONSUMER STATED POWERSTEERING HIGH PRESSURE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST. THE DAY THE BRAKE LINES WERE GETTING REPAIRED CONSUMER WAS TOLD FUEL LINE FROM THE PUMP TO THE INJECTORS WAS ALSO RUSTED AND WOULD LEAK ANYTIME. *JB

Power Train; Electrical System; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11104927

Incident: June 18, 2018 · Filed: July 1, 2018

MY CAR TURN OFF ON MY CHILDREN AND I ON THE HIGHWAY THANK GOD WE WAS ABLE TO COAST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC SAID THAT MY IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WENT OUT OUTTA NO WHERE NOT ONLY THAT CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND FUEL LINE EXHAUSTED SYSTEM SOMETHING WRONG ENGINE LIGHT STILL ON. WITH THAT BEING SAID I'M GREAT MY CHILDREN WAS NOT HURT DOING THIS ORDEAL. I LEARNED THAT THESE CARS HAVE FEW COMPLAINTS. BUT DO HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND VACUUM HOW'S EXHAUSTED. JUST GOT THE CAR I MARCH AND FOUND OUT BOUT THIS RECALL I'M SO DISAPPOINTED SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR RIGHT NOW.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11030407

Incident: January 1, 2012 · Filed: September 28, 2017

"TAKATA RECALL" ON MY CAR THE ELECTRONIC IS NOT WORKING AND HASN'T BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, THE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON AND WON'T GO BACK OFF. AND THE GAS TANK IS NOT WORKING RIGHT, I CAN'T GET GAS INTO MY TANK , IT DOES GO IN BUT I HAVE TO KEEP TRYING BECAUSE IT POPS OUT AND DON'T LET ME PUT GAS IN IT.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10927918

Incident: November 25, 2016 · Filed: November 25, 2016

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY FOR 45 MINUTES AND WHEN GOT HOME NOTICE THERE WAS GAS COMING FROM MY PONTIAC AZTEC. DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOTICE THERE'S A RECALL. CALL BUICK AND THEY TOLD ME MY VIN IS NOT COVER UNDER THE RECALL. REALLY?

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10896214

Incident: May 16, 2016 · Filed: August 16, 2016

LIGHTING GOES OUT AT NIGHT WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS

Engine

ODI #10788443

Incident: September 7, 2015 · Filed: November 4, 2015

I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY VEHICLE FOR 2 MONTHS BECAUSE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME MY VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING ON TO MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THAT IT WHY IT WAS SMOKING WHEN WE STOPPED. I TALKED TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL SO THEY COULD NOT HELP, SO I HAVE THREE CHOICES LET IT SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY, PAY SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED OR DRIVE IT TILL IT STARTS ON FIRE. IT HAS THE 3800 MOTOR LIKE ALL THE OTHER CARS IN THE RECALL. I CAN GET A LETTER FROM MY MECHANIC IF NEEDED.

Electrical System

ODI #10747944

Incident: April 1, 2010 · Filed: August 11, 2015

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION ONCE CAR TURNED OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE FIRST OCCURRED IN 2010. THE ONLY WAY TO REMOVE KEY IS TO OVERRIDE PARK SHIFT INDICATOR, WHICH WOULD ALLOW KEY TO BE REMOVED WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION, THEREBY DISABLING POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. THERE IS NO FIX THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE OVERRIDING PARK SHIFT INDICATOR PER DEALER.

Other Pontiac Aztek model years

Check your 2004 Pontiac Aztek VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Pontiac Aztek at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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