Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
GM has issued a safety bulletin in regards to a broken fuel tank that could cause explosions, or fire. I have tried to get them to perform the repair but they are refusing. The problem is for all years of the Pontiac Aztek and Buick rendezvous. I have a leak from this location, the fuel inlet, and am nearly afraid to drive the vehicle, but at a cost of over 2000 dollars, GM is also inflating the cost because they know the repair needs to be done.
Bout 3 weeks ago car just keep acting up had it for one year cant read codes on car keep overheating replaced radiator cvl axle brakes oil change transmission fluid car just decided to not pass 50mph be driveable one day driving it went to a stop sign brake car cut off I see check gauges come on service light on cant read codes to find out anything I think the wiring is mess up replaced started as well just to much only had it for a 1and a half
8081 miles: SRS light on intermittently. (reflash PCM and BCM) battery goes dead intermittently. (replaced battery and cleaned terminals) the brakes squeal and erratic fuel gauge. (no problem found at that time). 8125 miles: ses light on again. (cleaned corroded connectors for ABS and fuel pump) 8155 miles: ses on again. (replaced all femaile terminals and cleared codes. Dropped fuel tank to replace fuel modules, replaced all terminals at module. 11541 miles: air bag light on intermittently (could not reproduce) turn signal fuse blowing regularly (replaced neutral wiring safety switch, adj for reverse lights) 12018: turn signals blowing still. …
In June of this year this 2001 Pontiac Aztek failed an emission test. Noted a fuel smell on and around the vehicle prior to the test as well as what appeared to be fuel on my driveway and took it to a local Goodyear repair facility to investigate. They found no code in the system.took the vehicle to the emission test and failed. The code that came up at the ohio e-check facility was a "gas cap pressurization" failure. The service engine light came on June 12, and that first test date was thereabout. I went and purchased a new gas cap, the light went off and I passed the test second time around. A few weeks later the sevice engine light reappeared. Took it back to the Goodyear on June 29th. The code they found was a p0440, stating a large EVAP leak. The mechanic found that the leak was at the tank filler neck connection and was split at the seam. …
As I have seen other owners of this specific car state on your site, my fuel tank has developed a crack, and I was told by GM that I am out of luck because it is "out of recall since 2011," even though I was never notified about a possible problem with my fuel tank! So now I am driving around in, essentially, a molotov cocktail, having to spend $800 to replace a gas tank that was supposed to be replaced by GM in 2007, at no cost, because GM failed to notify me. This is vile. To think that GM doesn't care if owners of their cars are driving around in potential firebombs, that they knew about, is sickening. I purchased this car new, and certainly deserved to be notified about problems that are potentially life-threatening, and offers to replace defective parts, that were supposed to be sent to me, as per the NHTSA campaign id #07V349000.
We have had multiple thing go wrong with our 2001 Aztek we purchased under 40,000 miles, now has about 60, 000- the front brake rotors were warped- mechanic said that they had to have been like that from manufacturer, as he has never seen anything that bad in a car of that age- air conditioner is not working- went on the web, and it looks like many owners are also experiencing this due to cracked/leaking compressors- also, fuel gauge stopped working shortly after we purchased- needle is very sporadic, and you never know how much gas you have- this also seems to be a common problem- had interior electrical problems as well- this was the only thing fixed by Pontiac- I recently contacted Pontiac, who was unwilling to address any of these issues.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Pontiac aztec. The contact noticed fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle after she filled the fuel tank. The dealer found no visible hole in the tank, but they replaced the tank. Approximately three weeks later, the failure recurred and the dealer replaced the fuel tank for the second time. One week later, the failure recurred for the third time. The dealer stated that her VIN was included in recall # 07e021000 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices), however, the manufacturer of the part stated that her vehicle was excluded. The engine size and number of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage is 69,000 and failure mileage was 60,000.
The fuel tank of my 2001 Pontiac Aztek began to leak at the neck(of the tank). At my dealership (marietta GMC, Pontiac) I was told that there is a TSB on this problem and the mechanic stated that the procedure was to replace the tank at a cost of $ 950.00 to me. I feel that this is a safety concern and should be addressed via recall. If my home had gas fired water heaters or furnaces in the garage I most likely would not be writing this letter, because the first indication I had of this problem was with the leakage inside my garage, this could have caused a fire or explosion. Clearly this is a failure of materials as there has not been any abuse to the tank in any manner.
2001 Pontiac aztec leaking fuel from seam of gas tank, first noticed on 9/7/03. Brought to davis Pontiac dealer in richboro pa (where I bought the auto on April 14, 2001) informed me that since I have 48,400 miles on the car it will cost me 675 for the tank replacement, 100 for overnight shipment. I feel that the tank should never leak during the life of the automobile, and that since shoddy construction was used in manufacturing of the car, I should not be liable for the repair. Fuel leaking is a serious hazard, environmentally, socially, and concerning safety.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Pontiac Aztek. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the storage tank in the vehicle. She arrived at the dealer and they advised her to get rid of the vehicle. GM stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V349000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage), even though the vehicle is experiencing the same failure. The vehicle has not been repaired and is parked at the contact's residence. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage
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).
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.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Certain subject vehicles May exhibit leakage of odor and/or fuelfrom the lower portion of the fuel tank inlet filler pipe (inlet check valve).the inlet check valve (icv) and the fuel tank are joined together using a hot plate welding process for plastic parts.GM reports that its analysis of field returned parts show evidence of process variations for different manufacturing periods.these variations produced some icv…
Fuel tank leakage
GM is recalling (NHTSA recall no. 07v-349) certain model year (my) 2002-2004 Buick rendezvous, Chevrolet venture (regular wheelbase) and 2001-2004 Pontiac aztek and montana (regular wheelbase) vehicles to replace fuel tanks and correct a defect that May allow fuel leakage.the vehicle recall population is rendezvous and aztek vehicles built in May 2003, venture and montana vehicle built in June through August 2002…
Fuel System complaints in other Aztek years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Pontiac Aztek?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Pontiac Aztek, 18% of the model year's 216 complaints. The component named most often is storage (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Pontiac Aztek fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-349 (storage, Aug 8, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Pontiac Aztek fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
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.