Most common 2005 Pontiac Aztek problems
Share of the 34 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Pontiac Aztek complaints by model year
Best Aztek years: 2005, 2004. Years to avoid: 2001, 2002. Compare all years →
What 2005 Pontiac Aztek owners say
Electrical system
I was leaving school and I started to smell gas, so I stopped and checked to see if there was any leaking and there wasn't. A week had went by and I didn't smell the gas anymore but my radio and dash lights had quit working. So I had the fuses changed and the speedometer started working again but not the radio. Several months later my temp gauge started shooting all the way up to hot right after it was cranked. So I had it checked and my vehicle wasn't running hot. The one night I was driving home from town and my car shut off and a temp light was blinking. I popped the hood and my hoses from the radiator to the motor had busted from all the pressure built up. The next day I brought my car to a shop and had a new motor put in. And low and be-hold my transmission starts shifting really hard when I go to start off. I had it looked at but they couldn't find anything with it. …
I purchased a new 2005 Pontiac Aztek on July 1, 2005. Seven days later, with 611 miles on the vehicle, it completely shut down while I was on the road. I was unable to restart the vehicle, turn on my hazard lights, or even remove the key from the ignition. When the tow truck arrived, the driver jiggled the wires leading to the battery. Although he said they didn't feel loose, the vehicle did start after that. I drove it to the dealership I bought the vehicle from, they tested it, and told me they could find no problems nor duplicate the problem. The problem occurred while I was stopped at a light. However, about five minutes prior, I was moving down the road when the anti-lock brake light suddenly came on and the radio station changed (without help from me). After about a second, the light went off and the radio returned to my original station. …
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Pontiac Aztek. The contact discovered that the entire fuel system was corroded and leaked fuel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the fuel filler neck fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
I purchased this car used. When I first purchased it, I smelled an strong odor of gas/fuel. When I researched the car on the internet, the search revealed there was a recall on the fuel system of the 2005 Pontiac Aztek. After reading more in detail about the recall, the search found that the fuel pressure regulator were produced without an o'ring and retainer, which caused the fuel to leak. I took my car to the dealership to be checked. They found that fuel was leaking and the fuel pressure regulator had to be replaced and the throttle body was choking. I contacted GM and I was told that because my VIN number did not read from an area that had recalls, I would not be helped in this situation. I responded that my car had the same issues as other cars. …
Engine & cooling
The vehicle has seemed to stall twice. Upon further discussion with the driver, the steering also locked. This seemed similar of the same as the GM recall for faulty ignition switches and key slots. Pontiac was contacted but the response was that the vehicle was not under a recall, was out of warranty, and that repairs would be the expense of the owner. Pontiac did not seem concerned about a potential extension of the GM recall list. Wouldn't you think that GM would be very interested in understanding if the Pontiac Aztek is affected. We are now very concerned about driving the Pontiac Aztek.
The vehicle will cut completely off while coming to a stop. While in motion and applying the brakes to come to any kind of stop, it turns completely off. It happens on a daily basis since I purchased it in 2015. Whether coming off of the highway, or just coming to a stop sign on a city street, the vehicle cuts completely off.
2005 Pontiac Aztek engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Pontiac Aztek a good car?
Based on 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Aztek rates better than average: 76% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Aztek at the same age. It is one of the best Aztek years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Pontiac Aztek?
The electrical system — 9 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (7) and engine & cooling (5).
How many recalls does the 2005 Pontiac Aztek have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Pontiac Aztek. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Pontiac Aztek?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2005 and 2004. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001 and 2002. See the full Pontiac Aztek years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Pontiac Aztek problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 58,000 miles; 47% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.