NHTSA — Fuel/Propulsion System Problems

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,762 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Pontiac Aztek fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2003 Pontiac Aztek Owner Comments

problem #12

Aug 012006

Aztek

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Since we first bought the car in 2005, whenever the fuel tank is filled to 3/4 or higher the car starts to smell of fuel fumes. If it is filled up full to the top, it literally spills fuel onto the ground (about 16oz). I called GM and they told me to bring it to the dealership. The dealership looked at it and determined that it is a bad weld on the fuel tank filler neck and also confirmed that the car is exhibiting the same symptoms as listed in multiple safety recalls regarding this fuel tank. The vin of this vehicle is within the range of safety recall bulletin number 06230, and is exhibiting the exact issues mentioned in that bulletin, but GM is saying that the specific vin is not included and that I need to contact NHTSA to have my vin added before they will fix it. The car only has 130,000 miles on it and this has been an issue for over 17 years. The dealership chat agent also told me to fill the car up to the top before bringing it in even though I told them that it's dangerous and will spill fuel. Now the vehicle is stuck at the dealership because they are saying that it's too dangerous to drive but they can't fix it until this vin is included in the recall by NHTSA. Upon further inspection of carcomplaints.com this appears to effect a lot more of these vehicles than the amount listed in the recall bulletin. I am certain that there are many vehicles driving around like mine that are posing a risk to the public. The car smells like an open gas can and seems like if someone were to smoke a cigarette in front of it that it would explode. This is dangerous. The crack is on top of the tank which is a place I could not have possibly caused the crack, this is 100% a manufacturing issue and my vehicle should have been included in this recall. I need my car back but can't risk my family in it until it is fixed. The dealership inspected it and GM told me to make this report.

- Daly City, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 202018

Aztek

  • 160,007 miles
"takata recall"" stalls when I'm driving or when I'm coming to a stop it will completely shut off and when I start it up and throughout the ride is shakes and vibrates sometimes it won't start sometimes it'll start right away I don't replace spark plugs coils oil changed I'm still doing the same thing every place I go saying the same thing your says possible misfires cylinder 5 fuel and C2O oxygen simpson and I also replace the fuel filter still no different still writes the same way runs hot like it's not getting no water to the engine

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #10

Apr 222018

Aztek

  • 74,573 miles
I recently borrowed my mother-in-law's vehicle. When I returned to my home I parked in the attached garage. Later, when my daughter came home she asked why it smelled like gas. I went to check and upon entering the laundry area (directly attached to the garage via access to the house) I noticed the smell. I inspected the garage and thought, perhaps, the smell was coming from a weed wacker. Later, I went to check on some laundry and the gas smell was even worse. I opened the door to access the garage and then recalled the weed wacker was actually broken and was only there to be discarded in the trash next pickup. I was concerned and went and woke my husband saying I smelled over-powering gas smell and to please come check. He indicated he thought it may be his mom's car. He came down, smelled the gas too, and we pulled the car out and parked it in the driveway and left the garage door open for a bit. The smell went away. My mother-in-law has been ill for a period of time but previously she would complain of her gas gauge not working properly. That said, I inspected both the garage and the driveway or leaks and found none. When I did move the car I did smell gas outside of the car but not nearly as strong as when it was enclosed inside the attached garage. My in-laws keep this vehicle parked in the driveway so the chance of them smelling the issue and thinking anything seriously wrong was slim. I'm not comfortable driving the car and wouldn't recommend anyone else drive it until it is evaluated by a certified mechanic (my opinion by a dealership mechanic)

- Hazel Park, MI, USA

problem #9

Feb 012018

Aztek

  • 153,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have been having issues with my azrek shutting off on me in the middle of driving and now it wint even start. I have replaced the fuel pump and vapor sensor due to it not getting any fuel pressure. I have researched and there are 2 different recalls for my vehicle which have not been done due to my VIN not being acnowleged with the recall

- Eureka, IL, USA

problem #8

Sep 012016

Aztek

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Aztek. After re-fueling the vehicle, the contact noticed strong fuel fumes inside the vehicle and near the fuel tank. The fuel and temperature gauges fluctuated up and down. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mechanic more than once. The contact also notified two different dealers to try to schedule a repair appointment. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Odessa, TX, USA

problem #7

Feb 022015

Aztek 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac aztec. When there was half a tank of fuel in the vehicle, there was no leak present. However, when the vehicle had a full tank of fuel, there was a progressing leak. The contact noticed a puddle under the vehicle and strong fuel fumes were present inside and outside the vehicle. The dealer and an independent mechanic were notified. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 07E021000 (fuel system, other). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000. Updated 01/26/17

- Belmar, NJ, USA

problem #6

Nov 302015

Aztek

  • 161,564 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The smell of gas, changing the fuel pump more than once. Problem reading the level of gas. Vehicle was driving when it start shaking and stop(2nd time). The vehicle was park and could not start(1st time).

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #5

May 302012

Aztek

  • 120,000 miles
Key keeps getting stuck in ignition, steering column gets stuck.fuel tank is leaking and check engine light keeps coming on and staying along with service engine light. Fuel pump keeps going out replaced 3 times.

- Jamestown, MO, USA

problem #4

Jun 242015

Aztek

  • 90,000 miles
I can smell a gas leak coming from my aztec. I do know there was a recall on the fuel system and it was never honored because there was none at that time. There is now a leak as well as a major smell of fuel coming from it. I did call about the recall and they don't want to honor it even thou it was never replaced the first time. It is going to cost me about $1500 to have it replace....I do believe the recall should be honor. I call the dealership where it was bought brand new. And spoke with the owners. And they said they never received the letter to have it replaced. The dealership said it out of warranty and they will not cover it even thou the recall was never done on it.

- Poland, OH, USA

problem #3

Feb 022015

Aztek

  • 165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Aztek. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel and discovered that there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.

- Cosmopolis , WA, USA

problem #2

Sep 182013

Aztek 6-cyl

  • miles
Not exactly sure of the date of these incidents, but I can smell fumes coming through the vents when I am driving, had to get this checked a few weeks ago. The mechanic said the gas was leaking replaced this part. I am still smelling something in the engine area. I am not sure what and why. The vehicle also feels like it is shaking when I apply the brakes, and the brakes are fine. It usually does it when I am braking and also when I go past 40mph. It has gotten really bad that I am thinking about getting rid of vehicle and not having a vehicle. Also, I can hear a cranking noise in the steering column when I am turning that makes me think the vehicle is breaking in half. I have had to replace the gas cap last year as well for fumes.

- New Castle, PA, USA

problem #1

May 012012

Aztek

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Pontiac Aztek. The contact stated that the brakes did not always respond and needed to be applied repeatedly in order to function as normal. The contact also stated that the anti lock brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, where faulty sensors where replaced; however the warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, who found a leak on the fuel injection system. The contact replaced the fuel injection system. The vehicle then experienced difficulty driving uphill. The vehicle's speed decreased and the contact was unable to accelerate. The mechanic stated that the pivotal joints in the rear wheels were defective and caused unusual tread wear and tear of the tires. The vehicle was included in the recalls associated with NHTSA campaign id numbers 07E021000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices) and 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage). The manufacturer was made aware, however no assistance was provided due to mileage on vehicle. The failure mileage was 150,000. The current mileage was 160,000.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

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