Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Pontiac Aztek owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Front crash against a solid corner of a building, aprox speed crash 45 MPH. GM did not want to repair or replaced, instead faced a trial where they committed a fraud and other felonious, all of them proven, still after nearly 9 years still facing civil and criminal charges. GM dealer with false statement still now a days keeps the vehicle, same that still can be analyzed now a days because it has not been repaired. Lots of damage caused by GM, dealers, lawyers and expert witnesses. Regret very much such a poor behavior of GM, I ma ready to supply as much information as needed, photos, reports, and courts documents that proves their felonious. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Aztek. While attempting to close the door, the air bags deployed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
On 01/05/2002 I rear-ended a 1999 Cadillac deville going approximately 40mph. Upon impact, my airbags did "not" deploy and my seatbelt did not hold me from hittig the steering wheel with my chest. I had reported to the dealer that I didn't think the seatbelts in the front were working correctly not more than two weeks after purchase. He convinced me that these were newer seatbelts that do not react as sensitive as the older model vehicles. I ended up being transported to the hospital with chest contusions, leg contustions and cervical strain. I have searched your sight and found that the 2001 Pontiac Aztek has reported problems with passenger airbags not deploying due to no excelerant or deploying too hard due to exessive excelerant. I feel that I am lucky to be alive right now and feel that the threat to other owners of these vehicles is very real and very dangerous.,
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Pontiac aztec. The contact stated that while loading the vehicle with boxes, the side air bag deployed erroneously, striking a passenger. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was waiting for a corporate engineer to further inspect the damage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileages were 197,000.
Dt: instrument panel air bag light will not go off. Dealer says the air bag on passenger side is defective. Dealer says moisture gets under floor mats and gets into wires of air bags. Manufacturer said they would pay half to get it fixed. Has not had problem fixed yet. Consumer thinks it is a manufacturer defect and has concerns for his passengers safety or safety to others.
The driver was ejected from vehicle, in a rollover. The driver was properly restrained, and sustained injury. The consumer stated the transaxle failed. The vehicle suddenly swerved off of the road and rolled. The seat belt locking device did not lock, and the front-side air bags did not deploy.
Consumer states vehicle was involved in arollover collision at highway speed. Upon impact neither air bag deployed. Driver sustained major injuies. Feel free to provide any further information. Nlmneither front nor side air bags deployed. Vehicle suddenly swerved off road and rolled. Mr
While driving at highway speeds, the steering had become inoperative, causing loss of vehicle control. (vehicle rolllover) driver sustained and injury. The driver/passenger seat belts were inoperative and the air bags did not deploy.
Vehicle was involved in a roll over accident highway speeds. Upon impact air bags did not deploy, causing injury to the driver. Consumer stated the side airbags failed and the seatbelt did not restrain him.
I am very disturbed by this vehicle. This is the 2nd "new" car I have bought from tom pedens and it is also the 2nd "lemon" I traded in a 2000 grand prix because of all of the trouble I was having plus I lost $2,000 on the trade-in, but I needed a dependable car, and I chose the "aztec" and received another lemon. Now what do I do? The mechanics say that they can't do anything for the rattles, remote, or the latch, so did I spend $22,000 for another car? I work hard for my money and look out for the safety of my children. Really how safe are they, when they get in a brand new car that is falling apart? Please help me!!!!
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
On certain passenger, sport utility vehicles and Mini vans, some of these vehicles have a passenger air bag that was manufactured without a check valve pin. An air bag without the check valve pin could produce increased pressure at the onset of the air bag deployment and reduced pressure afterward.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag. Owner notification began December 16, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger, sport utility vehicles and minivans. The passenger air bag inflator modules were built without the correct amount of generant, which produces the gas that fills the air bag. Some were built with a double load of generant and some were built without generant.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger air bag module. Telephone calls were made to owners on January 29, 2001. Follow up owner mailing began on April 17, 2001.
Airbag complaints in other Aztek years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, 13% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Pontiac Aztek airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-329 (frontal, Dec 9, 2002); NHTSA recall 01V-026 (frontal, Feb 1, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Aztek airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.